Cards Sign Lohse

Yesterday, I lobbied for the club to add starting pitcher Kyle Lohse, and several others agreed (see Bernie Miklasz, Viva El Birdos, and Rockin' the Red).  Today, the Cardinals agreed to a one-year deal with the free agent, pending tomorrow's physical.  The contract is worth a guaranteed $4.25 million, with $100,000 in incentives for each of 160, 170, 180, and 200 innings.  Joe Strauss has more on the story. This is good news for the Redbirds.  They needed another starter that can take the ball every fifth day and eat innings.  Kyle Lohse is just that guy. The trick now is going to be getting him game ready in only three weeks' time.
Lohse joins a rotation of Adam Wainwright, Braden Looper, and the best two of Todd Wellemeyer, Anthony Reyes, and Brad Thompson.  Four other starters are still trying to get healthy.  If all the cards fall into place, by mid-season the team will have a surplus of starting pitchers, and that's not a bad problem to have.
According to Derrick Goold, backup catcher Jason Larue, a former teammate of Lohse, thinks the pitcher has great stuff, but needs direction.  If that's the case, the Cardinals should be a perfect fit.  Under the direction of Dave Duncan and Yadier Molina, Lohse should be able to put it all together to become a more complete pitcher.
And how about the Cardinals' brass?  Way to go Mozeliak and Dewitt for not dragging their feet on this one. Although we're not ready to start printing playoff tickets just yet, I think the move will put Cards fans at ease for a little while.