Appearing on KFNS 590 The Fan with Doug Vaughn this morning, free agent reliever Jason Isringhausen said he has a tentative plan to audition for the Reds tomorrow. Isringhausen added that he expects to hear back from the Cardinals this week and implied that his agent has been in contact with the Yankees, Rays, and Royals.
Isringhausen admitted it'd be weird to pitch for the Reds against the Cardinals this summer as the teams battle for the NL Central. Walt Jocketty's Reds already count Scott Rolen and Russ Springer as organization members. Izzy, of course, tallied 217 saves in seven seasons for the Cards from 2002-08. Isringhausen's last appearance in the Majors came in June of 2009 with the Rays, after which he went down for Tommy John surgery. He said he's currently throwing three times a week and working on a changeup. He expects he'd need a couple of weeks in the minors to get ready.
He had nothing left before he got injured. And LaRussa’s undying loyalty to Izzy in 2008 cost the Cards a multitude of games. If the Reds sign him, that’s good news for the Cards.
Thanks for all those saves from 2002 to 2007, but it’s time to let it go.
I think he has something left. He was injured all of 2008. Yet he pitched through it.
Perhaps he’ll be a badass again after the TJ surgery. I’d at least take a look at his stuff before naying him.
He could be a great pickup.
I would like to see the Red Sox get into the mix for him. He’s older and he’s been through injuries, but when he is healthy he has proved he can be valuable. The Sox bullpen is hurting and anyone they can get right now is worth a shot.
A guy who was systematically destroyed as a youngster by Dallas Green really wants to come out of retirement to pitch for the Reds? The second he lays eyes on Izzy in the clubhouse, Dusty Baker will hear a sinister Mortal Kombat voice saying, “Finish him.”
I want to borrow and tweet this or something…Dusty has done a decent job (other than letting Leake pitch the full game a week or two ago) not killing arms this year.
Then again, he’s also been blocked from having a Dusty boy in the locker room so I’m guessing the office has something to do with this.
Reds can have him. Which other ex Card will Jockety go after next?
which other ex red will the cardinals go after next? (Franklin, La Rue, Lopez, Reyes)
How old is Izzy? I remember him being a good reliever. course as someone mentioned he sure did drop off in 2008. TJ surgery has a record of allowing pitchers to have longer careers with decent success. The Reds have not signed him but it does not hurt to take a look and if he looks impressive that would be a nice piece to add in front of Coco.
He turns 38 in September.