Lohse agrees to $41 million, 4-year deal

[Wassit3]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_yl...v=ap&type=lgns

[asianinvasion]

He's gonna be the Carlos Silva of next year.

[dannymac910]

Cool story bro.

[HoustonGM]

He's gonna be the Carlos Silva of next year.

I doubt it. He's a better pitcher.

I think he'll be worth it for at least the first two years of the deal, but I'm skeptical beyond that.

[justanewguy]

That's $3.15 mil for every point above 100 his ERA+ was this season. I'm not sure this is anything that could be mistaken for a good deal.

A career 1.41 WHIP and a career ERA above league average. The only argument I could see for this deal is, he never gets injured.

Now, based on this deal, how much do you suppose CC, Sheets and Derek Lowe are gonna get?

[HoustonGM]

That's $3.15 mil for every point above 100 his ERA+ was this season. I'm not sure this is anything that could be mistaken for a good deal.

A career 1.41 WHIP and a career ERA above league average. The only argument I could see for this deal is, he never gets injured.

~10 mil per year is the going rate for a league-average innings eater.

Now, based on this deal, how much do you suppose CC, Sheets and Derek Lowe are gonna get?

C.C.'s going to get something in the vicinity of Johan Santana's deal, likely surpassing it. ~$150 million for 5-7 years.

Teams will probably be wary with Sheets because of his injury history, but I could see him getting 4-5 years at $15-18 mil per. Lowe will likely get a similar deal.

[RedsoxRockies]

This is why Billy Beane was right to trade away Harden and Blanton. If Lohse is getting this much, they will get even MORE.

[Jeffy25]

Billy Beane is the best at what he does! I am a huge cards fan, don't miss a game, and tivo the one's I would miss. Lohse isn't worth this much to me but the organization is trying to send a message and wrap up issues going into 09. They are also basically saying they won't be pursuing Looper, which I am fine with that but I am a believer that he won't earn this pay. But a consistent innings eater pitcher is worth a lot to a lot of teams. Also, he is a Boras agent and this will help negotions with Ankiel this offseason. I have enjoyed watching Lohse pitch but he was a surprise this year and I wonder if he can continue to repeat his delivery and he's command the way he did going into the future. Wait and see attitude, but I don't know if it is what I would have done.

[KowboyKoop]

Stupid deal...but that's what a lot of people said about the Gil Meche contract a couple years ago..and that's been amazing so far.

[Arctic Blast]

It is a roll of the dice. Either he's another Gil Meche, or he's another Carlos Silva. We'll know soon enough.

[defense]

If you were going to pay Lohse 10 million a season, might it have made sense to add 6 million a year or so and possibly be in the Lowe/Burnett/Sheets(?) sweepstakes?

[Arctic Blast]

Man, I would avoid Burnett like a plague. Every injury he's had has been to his throwing arm. And I find it suspect that, the year he can opt out and go for one more big free agent score is the year he FINALLY pitches through the pain, and doesn't miss an extra 6-8 starts when his elbow tightens up, which has been his MO every previous year in Toronto. I almost guarantee he's back to the same ol' AJ after he cashes in again.

[FRENCHREDSOX]

If you were going to pay Lohse 10 million a season, might it have made sense to add 6 million a year or so and possibly be in the Lowe/Burnett/Sheets(?) sweepstakes?

Yes & No - that is your assessment of what it would take to get those 3 plus they already have 2 major health risks - Lowe/Sheets & Burnett may be more $ than what they are going to pay Lohse.The market has been constantly growing & their prices may be closer to 18/20 million depending on activity (Yankees/Sox/Mets) & needs (replacement of lost FAs/retirements etc)

Lohse is a safe(if one exists with a pitcher) bet to get 200 IPs & league average ERA & 10+ wins a season & St Louis really NEED that type of pitcher due to Carpenter & Mulder's health issues.If those 2 come back strong Lohse becomes #4 & maybe the best #4 in the NL.Also don't forget the Cardinals have other holes to fill (like Bullpen...SS....2B)

[BINGLEBOP]

~10 mil per year is the going rate for a league-average innings eater.

That's exactly what I was thinking of when I read about them signing Lohse. Pitchers don't come cheap anymore. I would rather have him at this price over four years than have Ben Sheets or A.J. Burnett for the contracts they're going to get over 5+ years. Granted, they're probably better than Lohse when they're "on", but spending that much money for pitchers that will spend part of the season on the disabled list isn't that productive. A good signing by the Cardinals, as long as they wouldn't be counting on him to be their ace.

[Wassit3]

I doubt it. He's a better pitcher.

I think he'll be worth it for at least the first two years of the deal, but I'm skeptical beyond that.

why beyond the two years Lohse isn't that old...