Wainwright staying a Cardinal

The St. Louis Cardinals and starting pitcher Adam Wainwright, have agreed to a five-year deal, that's worth $97.5 million. Wainwright could have been a free agent after the 2013 season, he could have made more money on the free agent market, know how crazy the free agent market is now days for starting pitchers and top free agents, instead his contract will expire after the 2018 season. He was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 2000 MLB draft, he went in the first round, and overall was pick no.29. In December 2003, the Braves traded Wainwright to the Cardinals with starting pitcher Jason Marquis, and relief pitcher Ray King for outfielder J.D. Drew, and  outfielder Eli Marrero.

Wainwright ended up spending only two seasons in the Cardinals minors, and reaching the MLB in 2005. His major league debut was on September 11, 2005 against the New York Mets.

After having been a starting pitcher through out his entire minor league career, Wainwright made the Cardinals Opening Day roster in 2006, as a relief pitcher. He hit his first MLB career home run on May 24, 2006 against San Francisco Giants pitcher Noah Lowry, that came in his first career at bat in the MLB. That marked the 22nd time a MLB player hit his first career home run, off of the first pitch that he saw thrown to him. It also made Wainwright the 11th National League player to accomplish it. Later on in 2006, Wainwright would end up becoming the Cardinals closer, after Jason Isringhausen had to have season ending hip surgery. He ended up getting three saves in five save opportunities. In the playoffs, he'd come up big getting four saves in five opportunities. Wainwright closed out the final game against the San Diego Padres in the NLDS (National League Division Series), the final game of the NLCS (National League Championship Series) against the New York Mets, and then striking out Detroit Tigers third baseman Brandon Inge in game 5 of the World Series. The last out in the NLCS may have been the best one. He was facing batter Carlos Beltran (now currently a teammate of Wainwright's) with two outs and the bases loaded. Beltran would end up seeing a nasty curveball, and struck out looking at it.

Wainwright would become a full-time starting pitcher in the MLB in 2007, going 14-12 with an era of 3.70 and pitching 202 innings and starting 32 games. Wainwright later ended up becoming an All-Star in 2010, and also winning a gold glove in 2009.  In 2009, he went 19-8 with an era of 2.63, starting 34 games and striking-out 212 batters, and pitched 233 innings. Wainwright would then win 20 games in 2010 going 20-11 with an era of 2.42, starting 33 games, striking-out 213 batters, and pitched 230.1 innings.

So far, Wainwright has pitched seven seasons in his career, he missed all of 2011 with Tommy John surgery. His career stats for his seven year career as of now are: 80 wins, 48 losses, era 3.15, 1073 innings pitched, 908 strikeouts, 151 games started, has pitched in 214 games, and a whip of 1.21.

It's a great signing for the Cardinals, and keeps their ace around longer also. So the Cardinals won't need to work about him now, and with other young starting pitchers in the Cardinals minor working their way up to the MLB. One of the most recently ones to reach the MLB is the Cardinals no.5 starting pitcher Shelby Miller, and hopefully more on the way in the future. Having Wainwright around should help lead the Cardinals starting rotation, while others adjust to the MLB. Well done by the Cardinals at making sure Wainwright got signed before the season started.

I also wonder if the Braves regret trading Adam Wainwright at all, even when he grew up a Braves fan. I know former Braves starting pitcher John Smoltz had told the Braves not to trade Wainwright. Smoltz was right, even though Wainwright was the key that sent the Braves J.D. Drew.

Brewers land starting pitcher Kyle Lohse

Free agent starting pitcher Kyle Lohse is no longer without a team. The Milwaukee Brewers have signed Kyle Lohse to a three-year deal, that's worth $33 million. Lohse had been a top free agent starting pitcher on the free agent market. But, teams were scared to sign Lohse, pretty much because of the MLB rules where a team would forfeit a draft pick in order to sign Lohse. Lohse had declined the Cardinals one-year deal for $13.3 million, when they made him qualifying offer before free agency started. Scott Boras, Lohse's agent wanted to get him a three-year deal, for $45 million. The Brewers will forfeit their 17th pick in the MLB draft, that goes to the Cardinals, but that will become pick no.28. Lohse had been working out in Arizona and throwing 90-pitch simulated games, in order to stay in shape and ready for a team to sign him.

Lohse was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 1996 MLB draft, they picked him in the 29th round, and overall he was pick no.862. In 1999, Lohse would be traded by the Cubs to the Minnesota Twins, who he played for from 2001-2006. The Twins would end up trading Lohse to the Cincinnati Reds, on July 31, 2006. Lohse played for the Reds for the rest of 2006, until half of the 2007 season. In 2007, he was traded from the Red to the Philadelphia Phillies. Lohse started 11 games for the Phillies going 3-0 with an era of 4.72. The Phillies tried to bring Lohse back in free agency after the 2007 season, but he wanted more than what the Phillies were offering him. So, he stayed a free agent for along time and the Cardinals ended up signing him to a one-year deal, on March 14, 2008. Lohse found a home with the Cardinals and would end up staying a Cardinal from 2008-2012. Lohse got a World Series ring with the Cardinals in 2011.

Last season, Lohse started 33 games and went 16-3 with an era of 2.86. He also pitched 211 innings, that marked the third time in his career to reach 200 innings in his career. Lohse also lead the NL (National League) starting pitchers in winning percentage, that was .842. While, Lohse isn't known for strikeouts he also set a new career high in strikeouts with 143, and the last two seasons he has a record of 30-11.

So far in Lohse's twelve year career in the MLB, his career stats are: 118 wins, 109 losses, 1973 innings pitched, 1238 strikeouts, 331 starts, 335 games played, 4.45 era, and a whip of 1.369.

Does Lohse turn out to be a good pick up for the Brewers or does he turn out to be Jeff Suppan 2.0 for the Brewers? Suppan was also overpaid by the Brewers in a free agency years back by the Brewers, after leaving the Cardinals. Suppan pretty much became a big game pitcher in the playoffs for the Cardinals and turned his career around, but went down hill after going to the Brewers. I guess we'll find out soon, if Lohse turns out to be a good pick up for the Brewers or Jeff Suppan 2.0. Lohse is a good guy, and I wish him well, except for when he's pitching against the Cardinals. 

Longview: Tackle lands in Gateway City

Free agent left tackle Jake Long has found a new home with the St. Louis Rams. Long signed with the Rams coming over from the Miami Dolphins, who he spent his first five seasons with. Long's deal with is a four-year contract, and it's worth up to $36 million. The Miami Dolphins drafted Long in the 2008 NFL draft, out of Michigan, he was the number one pick overall in the draft (the second pick in that draft, is current Rams defensive end: Chris Long, both Jake and Chris aren't related). As for Jake Long, he ended up starting in every game in his first three seasons, and in made the Pro Bowl four times (2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011).

In Long, the Rams upgrade their offensive line big time, yes they may have overpaid for him, but in the long-run it will pay off. And teams also need to overpay at times to improve themselves. St. Louis Rams QB Sam Bradford  looks like he'll have his best offensive-line around him for the first time in his NFL career. Bradford was also begging the Rams to get Long. Long has been hurt the past two seasons, but the Rams physical showed no red flags, when they had him in town on Wednesday. Long's injuries were related to triceps and biceps, and he ended up missing six games. He's also had shoulder and knee issues during his NFL career. But, the Rams ended up getting the best tackle in free agency. And if healthy, which he seems to be healthy as of right now, he'll help the Rams offensive line a lot.

Even though the Rams might not appear as winners in free agency as of right now to some, for losing WR Danny Amendola in free agency to the New England Patriots, the Rams are winners. Yes, they'll miss Amendola, but he gets hurt a lot, I'd love to see him stay healthy for a season though. But, the Rams have upgraded at TE by signing Jared Cook last week, and now by landing Jake Long. Both Cook and Long were listed as top free agents. Cook can also line up as a WR if need be at times. And yes, Cook's career numbers might not look that great, but he really didn't have that great of a QB throwing to him, when he was on the Titans. Bradford should be able to get the ball to Cook a lot, more than any of the Titans QB's did. And the Rams, haven't had a solid left tackle since the days of Orlando Pace, who could end up being in the Hall Of Fame someday.

The Rams current left tackle Rodger Saffold (until Jake Long signed with the Rams) can now be moved to either guard or right tackle. Saffold is in a contract year, and he's showed flashes that he can be a good football player, but he's been hurt the past couple of seasons. Saffold has only been healthy one time in his career so far, which is in his rookie year in 2010.

On a side note when will the Miami Dolphins learn that they can't beat the Rams during the offseason? Now the Dolphins are 0-3 against the Rams when it comes the offseason moves. The Rams beat them out for head coach Jeff Fisher last offseason, and this offseason the Dolphins lost out on both TE Jared Cook, and now left tackle Jake Long (who the Dolphins were hoping to keep). I'm kind of starting to wonder if it's something with the Dolphins owner or their general manger or both of them.

Rams hit ground running on first day of free agency in NFL

The St. Louis Rams started off NFL free agency on the right foot, on the first day. They re-signed defensive end Williams Hayes to a three year contract, worth $10.5 million. Hayes joined the Rams last offseason coming over in free agency from the Tennessee Titans, who the played for from 2008-2011. The Titans drafted Hayes in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL draft out of Winston-Salem State, overall he was pick no.103. In his rookie season, Hayes played in eight games, recording thirteen tackles, and one sack. Last season for the Rams, Hayes was brought in as a back up for Chris Long and Robert Quinn. And Hayes had a breakout year on the Rams playing in all sixteen games, recording thirty-five tackles, and seven sacks.  It was also the first time Hayes played in all sixteen games, since the 2009 season. So far in Hayes' career his stats are: 64 games played, 147 tackles, 15 sacks, and three pass deflections (including two last season, his first time since his rookie season).

The Rams also were able to land a top offensive tight end in Jared Cook,  he was signed to a five year contract, worth $38.5 million. Cook like Hayes, played for the Tennessee Titans. Cook was drafted by the Titans in the third round of the 2009 NFL draft out of South Carolina, overall he was pick no.89. Cook adds size and speed, if used right in the offense. He's 6'5 and weight 248 pounds. He can play both tight end and wide receiver. Cook should be able to be a nice red zone target for Sam Bradford, in Cook's career in the NFL he really has never had a QB and a good offense. In Bradford, he has someone who can get the ball to him. So far Cook's career stats are: 59 games played (11 starts), 131 receptions, 1,717 yards, and 8 touchdowns. He's still young also, and has room to improve his game, he'll turn 26 in April.

Could the Rams be busy on day two of NFL free agency? As of right now it looks like they could be busy, with free agent FS Louis Delmas coming into town, and free agent LT Jake Long in town for a physical, as of right now the word is that if Long passes his physical, then he's a Ram. As for Delmas, he has connection with the Rams current defensive coordinator Tim Walton, who coached him on the Detroit Lions. If both join, then pretty much the Rams can wait until the NFL draft (in April) to fill out more needs for the team.

Cardinals and Craig agree to long-term deal

The St. Louis Cardinals and first baseman/outfielder Allen Craig have agreed to a five-year contract extension, the deal includes an option for a sixth year for the 2018 season. The deal will also wipe out Craig's arbitration years, which his first arbitration year wasn't until next offseason. Craig's new deal is worth $31 million. He'll make $1.75 million for the 2013 season, $2.75 million in 2014, $5.5 million in 2015, $9 million in 2016, and $11 million in 2017. The club option for the 2018 season is worth, $13 million and it comes with a $1 million buyout. So, the total deal could end up being worth a total of $43 million.

Craig was drafted by the Cardinals in the 2006 MLB draft, he was picked in the eighth round, and was pick no.256 overall. He played college baseball at the University of California, Berkeley. Craig showed power at every level in the minors, and would make the Cardinals opening day roster for the 2010 season. Craig made his MLB debut on April 8, 2010 against the Cincinnati Reds. He would hit his first MLB career home run on July 19, 2010 off of the Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Kyle Kendrick.

He also helped the Cardinals win the 2011 World Series over the Texas Rangers. In games one and two Craig ended up getting the game winning rbi, that gave the Cardinals both leads and would win by Craig's rbi in both game, and both came as a pinch hitter. Then in game 7 of the World Series, Craig hit a home run that also ended up being the game winning rbi. The three game winning rbi's by Craig tied a World Series record held by both Hank Greenberg and Kiki Cuyler, who also had three game winning rbi's in World Series play. Craig also caught the last out of the 2011 World Series, he would later give the ball to Tony La Russa, after hearing that La Russa was retiring and that La Russa wanted the ball. He also felt that La Russa deserved the ball.

So far for Craig's three seasons in the MLB his career stats are: batting avarage .300, 235 hits, 37 rbi's, 150 rbi's, 7 stolen bases, 783 at bats, and has played in 238 games. In 2012, Craig was a full-time starter in the Cardinals line up, he played 119 games and hit 307 with 22 home runs and 92 rbi's. It's a nice deal for Craig, and locks up one of the Cardinals core players. Now the Cardinals need to get starting pitcher Adam Wainwright signed to a long-term deal.