Whats Left for the Cards?

The St. Louis Cardinals have been actively searching for a left handed pitcher to bolster their bullpen. Their main target was Jeremy Affeldt, whom recently signed a contract a two-year contract with the San Francisco Giants on Monday. With their top option off the market, who else is there for the team to go after? The options really aren’t that great but Cardinals General Manager John Mozeliak has said the market is going to move quick now.

“The ball is rolling,” Mozeliak told the St. Louis Dispatch. Lefthanded relief “is a market that will move quickly. It’s kind of like the draft, where catchers go fast. There is a limited supply and they typically don’t last until January.”

Mozeliak wouldn’t identify the players the team is after, but there are plenty of signs out there. The two main candidates right now are believed to be Will Ohman and Arthur Rhodes.

Ohman, formerly of the Atlanta Braves, has received interest from numerous teams. The teams interested in the lefty are the Cardinals, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers, Cincinnati Reds and of course the Braves. Ohman’s agent, Page Odle, has admitted that the Braves have made an offer. Listening to Ohman it sounds like it was a very nice offer, “It was a strong offer intended to show me that they’d like to have me back” At the moment, the Cardinals have not yet made an offer but have stayed in contact with Odle to show their interest. Last season, Ohman had a 3.68 era in 83 appearances, striking out nearly a batter per inning and holding lefties to a .200 batting average.

Arthur Rhodes on the other hand was even better against lefties last season, holding them to a .157 batting average. Over the course of the season he had an overall era of 2.04 over 61 appearances. Rhodes, who will be 40 next season, is at a point in his career thou where he can’t be out there for too many pitches, and truthfully can’t even pitch against righties anymore. If he were to sign with the Cardinals that would be no big deal as manager Tony LaRussa loves to change his pitchers almost every other batter.

Recent signings of left handed pitchers have pretty much set the market now for both of these players, so really it will come down to what the Cardinals are willing to spend. Affeldt signed with the Giants for two-years worth $8 million. Damaso Marte re-signed with the New York Yankees for three years and $12 million. Scott Eyre signed with the Chicago Cubs for $11 million over 3 seasons. So basically the top lefties went for about $4 million per season, something neither of these guys are.

Whomever, Ohman signs with I believe he will get a contract in the $3-4 million range but for multiple years. Rhodes could come pretty cheap, probably a one year deal for about $2-3 million. With LaRussa’s game day strategies the Cardinals could throw a curve and actually sign both players.

Should the team sign neither of the players there are other options, although none are to intriguing. That list includes Joe Beimel, Alan Embree, Eddie Guardado, Trever Miller, Darren Oliver, Dennys Reyes, and Brian Shouse.

Personally, I think the Cardinals will wind up with Arthur Rhodes as their left handed specialist next season. He’s not too expensive and with him probably only looking for a one-year deal its a win-win scenario. They can bring in a quality lefty and if he doesn’t work out then whatever he’s gone at the end of the season.

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Tags: Atlanta Braves, Florida Marlins, MLB, St Louis Cardinals