Cards Announce Sanders and Suppan Deals

The Cardinals officially announced the free agent signing of pitcher Jeff Suppan and right fielder Reggie Sanders yesterday. Suppan was 13-11 with a 4.19 ERA with the Pirates and Red Sox last season. Before that he spent four years with the Royals. Sanders hit .285 with 31 homers and 87 RBI’s with the Pirates last season. After spending his first eight seasons with Cincinnati, Sanders has been a gypsy since then. The Cardinals will be his seventh team in seven seasons. The Cardinals expect to see him play past 2003 as Sanders and Suppan agreed to two year deals. General Manager Walt Jocketty said if the Cardinals spend any more money it will be on a right handed relief pitcher or a second baseman who can hit leadoff.