Strauss wrote a really good column today on the limbo that Lohse is in. If any of you care, stop by the ITD Morning After site and listen to an interview Mozeliak did this morning. They asked him what he thought about Lohse's comments a couple weeks ago about the club not communicating to him that they wouldn't bring him back. Mozeliak was pretty irritated by the question and said he is always available to discuss a player's standing in the organization. Then he kind of hit back at Lohse and said it's a two-way street. 

Lohse seems like a nice guy, but on this one I think he's in the wrong. I understand that he feels defeated by the compensation system, but that's not really the Cardinals' fault. Getting another possible first-rounder is a big deal. 

Unless one of the bottom 10 teams (draft protected picks) finds about $15 million laying around, I think Lohse winds up accepting a one-year deal around $10 million sometime in February. There's a good chance he's never going to sign another long-term deal.

If that's the case, TK, then gossip of a fix will circulate.

I'm not saying it was collusion.  I'm saying gossip of a fix would circulate, once again.

Max wrote:

I'm not saying it was collusion.  I'm saying gossip of a fix would circulate, once again.

 
It would be tough to sell a conspiracy to keep Kyle Lohse out of baseball. There may be a few owners and general managers out there who are enjoying the notion Scott Boras may not end up milking every dime out of a contract, and if that's what you mean by gossip, you've got a point.

Max wrote:

We'll just have to see, guys.  

Since you're often fond of patting yourself on the back, I'd like to know what we're waiting to see. If you're saying there will be discussion that the new free agent compensation structure may have more impediments than expected, then I think we're there already. If you're saying that there's going to be discussion that owners were trying to drive down salaries, I disagree. 

What potential rumors are you expecting?

tkihshbt wrote:

Yeah, I think this is just the perfect storm of suck for Lohse. He's 33 and asking for a ton of money, but teams don't want to sacrifice a draft pick in the event he reverts back to being an average pitcher. 

The loss of draft pool money is probably more important than the pick. In year's past, teams could sacrifice the pick knowing that some first round talent would fall due to signability issues. The team losing the pick could just draft one of those kids, sign him for first round money and lessen the blow. With the loss of the pool money, teams can't do that unless they basically give up any efforts to sign any of their other top picks. 

Clearly, the MLBPA didn't foresee these issues. I think it will be interesting for how things play out in the future. Would a player like Kyle Lohse accept the 1 year tender next time? Would the Cardinals make the tender next year out of fear the pitcher would accept?

forsberg_us wrote:

tkihshbt wrote:

Yeah, I think this is just the perfect storm of suck for Lohse. He's 33 and asking for a ton of money, but teams don't want to sacrifice a draft pick in the event he reverts back to being an average pitcher. 

The loss of draft pool money is probably more important than the pick. In year's past, teams could sacrifice the pick knowing that some first round talent would fall due to signability issues. The team losing the pick could just draft one of those kids, sign him for first round money and lessen the blow. With the loss of the pool money, teams can't do that unless they basically give up any efforts to sign any of their other top picks. 

Clearly, the MLBPA didn't foresee these issues. I think it will be interesting for how things play out in the future. Would a player like Kyle Lohse accept the 1 year tender next time? Would the Cardinals make the tender next year out of fear the pitcher would accept?

Id take Loshe for one year 13 million.  If anything it will make FA to be more willing to accept tender.  Maybe it will take some power out of the hands of these players that shouldnt have it to beging with.  The day that mid level free agents stop getting gaint contracts will be a good day for baseball.

Nope. Lohse rejected the tender so it's no longer available.

Garcia is not pitching in the WBC. Not sure if that's be ause he's still hurt or because he decided the Cardinals should be his first priority. 

Being reported that Pujols is going to skip the WBC because of off-season knee surgery.

Team USA wants Boggs?  Really?

I figured that Molina would play.  He is one of the best players in the game and I am sure he feels it is his duty to honor his country.   However Beltran playing is going to end up hurting the Cardinals.  Beltran was going to need extra days off anyway.  Now he has added more game onto a body that cant handle 162.

I understand the WBC.  I will watch it because it is baseball.  Ill be craving it.  However it kind of takes away from the MLB and opening day.  IDK if it could be moved to after the WS instead of before opening day.  There would be issues there.  I dont understand why MLB team would allow players to be in it. 

Isnt Oquendo the manager for Puerto Rico?  Hopefully he protect Beltran.