The Cardinals have agreed to terms starting pitcher Sidney Ponson to a one-year deal that many may consider to be a little risky. Ponson was released from jail earlier this week after serving a five-day sentence on a drunken driving charge. He was arrested for DWI twice last year and went through a 30-day rehabilitation program.
Ponson also served 11 days in jail in his native Aruba, after getting to an altercation on a beach last Christmas. He punched a judge, who was sent to the hospital with minor injuries.
After going 17-12 with the Orioles and Giants in 2003, Ponson’s numbers have slipped dramatically. He returned to the Orioles in 2004 and went 11-15 with a 5.30 ERA in 2004 and last season he was 7-11 with a 6.21 ERA.
The Cardinals also signed first baseman and outfielder Brian Daubach and is expected to be a bench player. His playing time has diminished over the last three seasons—he had just 25 at bats with the Mets in 2005, spending most of the season in the minors. From 1999-2002, Daubach produced for the Red Sox, averaging 21 homers and 76 RBI’s per season over that span.
One player they had their eye on has gone elsewhere. Reliever Octavio Dotel has signed with the Yankees.
