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$10 million a YEAR??????????? OY! While I like what he did this year, he ain't worth 10 mil! *sigh* Here we go again!

Four years at 48 mill was more money and longer than I was expecting! That leaves about 20 mill/year to get a LHRP and another starter.

Wow... Sure he was great in April through the end of June, but this is especially surprising considering how little Lohse did in the second half of 2008.

QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 08:57 AM ET  09.29 by bookvixen

$10 million a YEAR??????????? OY! While I like what he did this year, he ain't worth 10 mil! *sigh* Here we go again!

You would be, and clearly are, surprised at what an average arm is "worth".

I think it is a lot, but when you look at the deals the last couple of years that Silva, padilla, Meche, etc have gotten, it is fairly reasonable.

I too though am surprised he got four years from the Birds

Wow, how stupid is that organization. Then again, they'll sign any scrap heap player. They invited Juan Gonzalez to spring training. A real second-tier front office. Too bad their fans are too stupid to respond with their wallets.

QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 11:17 AM ET  09.29 by bill sl

Wow, how stupid is that organization. Then again, they'll sign any scrap heap player. They invited Juan Gonzalez to spring training. A real second-tier front office. Too bad their fans are too stupid to respond with their wallets.

We drew 3.5 million at the gate this year. You sir, are an idiot. I am assuming that you are a Philly fan and because Lohse did nothing for your team does not make him a bum. Do I think he is a $10mill/year pitcher? No. Will he have a good year next season? I hope so. Did Stl rank among the top in tickets sold? We always do. This situation has nothing to with fan support. It was a rebuilding year in which we finished 10 games over five hundred.

QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 11:17 AM ET  09.29 by bill sl

Wow, how stupid is that organization. Then again, they'll sign any scrap heap player. They invited Juan Gonzalez to spring training. A real second-tier front office. Too bad their fans are too stupid to respond with their wallets.

Idiotic comment. The Cardinals are one of the best run organizations in pro sports. Lohse is no scrap heap addtion, but the Cards have had success with so-called "scrap-heap" signings. Jeff Weaver falls into that category and he was key to a World Series Championship.

QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 11:49 AM ET  09.29 by Superheat

We drew 3.5 million at the gate this year. You sir, are an idiot. I am assuming that you are a Philly fan and because Lohse did nothing for your team does not make him a bum. Do I think he is a $10mill/year pitcher? No. Will he have a good year next season? I hope so. Did Stl rank among the top in tickets sold? We always do. This situation has nothing to with fan support. It was a rebuilding year in which we finished 10 games over five hundred.

I believe the Phillies were just below you in attendance, maybe <100/game. Lohse did okay for the Phillies and I think he's slightly better than average. The Cardinals are a well-run organization as evidenced by their being in the mix nearly every year. I do not think 10M/yr. is unreasonable, I just think it should have been a two year deal..........I wish Adam Eaton was only a two year guy..........

QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 01:53 PM ET  09.29 by Chasin' Utleys

I just think it should have been a two year deal......

I think so as well. I think that four years is too long for a pitcher that for much of his career has been a middle of the road performer. Mulder got us in trouble with the length of his deal and we are working on being in the same boat with Carpenter. Not that either of those guys where middle of the road performers, but I think that long term deals with a lot of guaranteed money for a pitcher are bad news these days.

QUOTE(#12):

Originally posted 02:31 PM ET  09.29 by Superheat

I think so as well. I think that four years is too long for a pitcher that for much of his career has been a middle of the road performer. Mulder got us in trouble with the length of his deal and we are working on being in the same boat with Carpenter. Not that either of those guys where middle of the road performers, but I think that long term deals with a lot of guaranteed money for a pitcher are bad news these days.

Agreed. I didn't want them to go over 3 years for Lohse.

One good season does make this amount of money make sense. It is interesting that they compared Lohse to Silva. They are two washed-up former Twins who are not worth $5 million per year.

I don't think Lohse is washed up. Under Duncan, he could be the next Woody Williams....a career .500 pitcher that becomes a force for several years.

QUOTE(#15):

Originally posted 04:31 PM ET  09.29 by TenRingsSTL

I don't think Lohse is washed up. Under Duncan, he could be the next Woody Williams....a career .500 pitcher that becomes a force for several years.

I agree. I hate the price, but top pitchers are making closer to 20 million per year. What are you going to do? Keep dumpster diving and hope for the best?

How about we sign leadoff guy who can get on and steal bases....how about we sign some power to hit behind Albert...I think Ludwick - Pujols - and SOMEONE WHO CAN HIT would be nice....then after that - we better get K-Rod and get him NOW. In fact - we should have our eyes fixed to CC Sabathia and K-Rod. Look what we did with the ham and egg staff we have - imagine if we hadn't blown 30+ save opportunities!

I'm hoping they make a move for someone like Hanley Ramirez....although it may be a pipedream. The biggest thing to fix is the bullpen, particularly the LH side. I don't want to see the likes of Villone and Flores in 2009

When things wind down in January with the majority of free-agent signings done, the Cardinals are going to look pretty good having wrapped up Lohse for 4 years at that kind of money. When you look at what the likes of Sabathia/Burnett/Garland corral in their 5-6 year deals, and the inflated dollars offered to the "past their prime" crowd (P.Martinez/Glavine/Maddux/Schilling/R. Johnson/Pettite/Mussina, etc.), the Lohse signing will look shrwed. Pitchers like Chicago's Ryan Dempster (1 significant year as a starter in the last 8 seasons), O. Perez from the Mets, Penny and Lowe from L.A., and other starters that are best suited to the #3 slot... these guys are going to be lining up for huge paydays. Lohse put up numbers that compete with them all in 2008, and he did it with minimal offense behind him (not named Albert Pujols). Lohse has always had good stuff: he was just erratic. If Duncan has yet again turned another 'maybe' into the real deal, St. Louis fans are going to be happy for the next 4 years with this one.