Cardinals Sign Tomo Ohka

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Cardinals have signed free agent righty Tomo Ohka to a minor league contract.  The Phillies were in on him as well, but the Cardinals gave him a shorter minor league requirement.

The Cardinals talked to Ohka’s agent last December, but must have found $1.5MM guaranteed to be prohibitive.  It’s easier to swallow when the Blue Jays are paying Ohka’s salary.  I think Ohka’s rotator cuff is still kind of messed up, but he might be able to get by in the NL Central.

Check out my profile of Ohka here; he’s an interesting character.  Unfortunately Ohka likely won’t remain a Memphis Redbird long enough to run into Sun-Woo Kim of the Fresno Grizzlies.  The two engaged in fisticuffs back in 2000 as members of the Pawtucket Red Sox.