Lohse Signing May Complete Cards’ Rotation

Today we have more on the Kyle Lohse signing from Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.  After several weeks of negotiation, Lohse agreed to a backloaded four-year, $41MM deal with full no-trade protection (Rob Neyer calls this a "dreadful use of resources.")  Scott Boras is certain Lohse could’ve gotten more money and years on the open market, but this doesn’t seem like much of a discount.  It was Lohse who told Boras to initiate extension talks.

Strauss finds it unlikely the Cards will ink another starter to a long-term deal now, instead going after a swingman type.  Chris Carpenter is expected to choose rehab over surgery; if that doesn’t work out the team’s plans could change.  Strauss says the Cardinals have not talked to Braden Looper about a new contract.  He seems likely to sign elsewhere.

Right now the Cardinals are situated with a rotation of Carpenter, Adam Wainwright, Lohse, Todd Wellemeyer, and Joel Pineiro.