Cards expected to sign Lohse long-term

The Cardinals scratched starting pitcher Kyle Lohse from his scheduled start on Sunday, instead electing to give him a team physical prior to signing Lohse to a long term contract.

A press conference is scheduled for later today to make the announcement official, but Lohse finished 15-6 with a 3.78 ERA going over that 200 inning threshold.

Lohse signed a one year, $4.5 million deal in late March to join the squad.  The 30 year old gave the Cardinals more than they bargained for and now they will reward him generously I’m sure.

Starting pitching was never really much of the issue, even though the Cardinals spent the year without Chris Carpenter, Mark Mulder, and Matt Clement who they signed this off season.

Assuming Carpenter can come back next season, the Cardinals will have Carpenter, Wainwright, Lohse, Braden Looper and Todd Wellemeyer for sure.  That’s a great start to that rotation.