Did anyone see the St. Louis Cardinals re-up Kyle Lohse for four years and $41 million (plus a no-trade clause) this afternoon and shake their head? Talk about cashing in after a career year.
The 30-year-old right-hander (in five days) went 15-6 with a 3.78 ERA. The wins and ERA were both career highs, and he has not won more than nine games in a season since 2005. He will make $7.125 million next year, $8.875 million in 20010 $11.875 million in 2011 and 2012.
This seems very similar to Carl Pavano's free-agent contract with the Yankees. Pavano won 18 games and had a 3.00 ERA with the 2004 Florida Marlins. He had not won more than 12 games in a season prior to that, and obviously hasn't since. He's actually recorded nine wins in five years.
Buyer beware.
Monday, September 29, 2008
The next Carl Pavano
Monday, July 30, 2007
Pre-trade deadline deals
A few trades were made today in advance of Tuesday's 4:00 p.m. non-waiver trading deadline.
Pending physicals, Texas Rangers 1B Mark Teixeira is on his way to Atlanta. Joining him will be RHP Ron Mahay. The Braves are sending rookie C Jarrod Saltalamacchia, minor league SS Elvis Andrus and two more prospects to Texas (source). From the same article, there is a rumor that the Braves are trying to acquire Kansas City Royals reliever Octavio Dotel for RHP Kyle Davies.
After Jose Valentin broke a bone in his leg, the New York Mets needed a second baseman. Today, they acquired Luis Castillo from the Minnesota Twins for two prospects (source). While Castillo doesn't steal many bases anymore, he is still a solid hitter (batting .304 this season) and is a three-time Gold Glove winner. Here is what one Met fan thinks of the trade.
The Cincinnati Reds have traded RHP Kyle Lohse to the Philadelphia Phillies for minor league LHP Matt Maloney (source). Lohse is 6-12 with a 4.58 ERA in 21 starts. Maloney is 9-7 with a 3.94 ERA and 115 strikeouts in 125 2-3 innings in AA.
