According to Cardinals GM Walt Jocketty, there’s just nothing out there on the starting pitching market. No decent starters to acquire. The Cardinals are doing OK in second place, 5.5 games behind the Brewers. They still have a fine chance of sneaking into the rotation, but need to upgrade their patchwork rotation. St. Louis starters have combined for a 5.25 ERA, easily the worst in the league. Even worse than the Nationals.
Joe Strauss’s article mentions some mild interest in Tomo Ohka, who was designated for assignment yesterday by the Blue Jays. The Cardinals talked to Ohka’s agent last December but couldn’t get a deal done.
Jocketty is, of course, exaggerating in saying nothing’s available. Here are some names for you: Wade Miller, Josh Fogg, Mike Maroth, Odalis Perez, Brett Tomko, Jon Lieber, John Thomson, Tony Armas. Now, if you’re talking good starters, well, that always requires a decent bounty. Mark Buehrle should become available soon, and the Marlins would probably listen on Dontrelle Willis. A mid-tier guy who could work is Paul Byrd. Any other ideas for the Redbirds?
