Don't worry, everyone!
We signed Kyle Lohse!
In 2007, Lohse had an even 100 ERA+. That means the number of runs he gave up per 9 innings was exactly, perfectly league average.
That's pretty good for a 4th or 5th starter; for most teams, those starters are below league average. A guy who is average gives you at least a 50% chance of winning; better when you have a good offense. Jeff Suppan once served this role for the Cardinals: Pretty average pitcher, but on a team with a dynamite offense and a number of other low-ERA starters, he won plenty of games. He even parlayed that success into a $30 mil contract with the Brewers.
The good news is, the Cardinals signed Lohse for only 1 year, $4.25 million - below league average. If he really sucks, it's not a crippling contract. If he's decent and the team contends, that's nice. If he's decent and we don't contend, he can be traded at the deadline for some type of (probably low) prospect. It's a good deal.
But it won't work out.
Lohse is the de facto #2 pitcher on a team that should struggle to score runs. If your second best pitcher is the definition of average, pitchers 3, 4, and 5 are all below average. We'll lose most of those games, break even when Lohse pitches, and maybe win more than we lose when our (also de facto) "ace" Wainwright pitches. That's a recipe for a losing season.
Sorry, I forgot to make this post entertaining, or bash Aaron Miles. Maybe next time!
In 2007, Lohse had an even 100 ERA+. That means the number of runs he gave up per 9 innings was exactly, perfectly league average.
That's pretty good for a 4th or 5th starter; for most teams, those starters are below league average. A guy who is average gives you at least a 50% chance of winning; better when you have a good offense. Jeff Suppan once served this role for the Cardinals: Pretty average pitcher, but on a team with a dynamite offense and a number of other low-ERA starters, he won plenty of games. He even parlayed that success into a $30 mil contract with the Brewers.
The good news is, the Cardinals signed Lohse for only 1 year, $4.25 million - below league average. If he really sucks, it's not a crippling contract. If he's decent and the team contends, that's nice. If he's decent and we don't contend, he can be traded at the deadline for some type of (probably low) prospect. It's a good deal.
But it won't work out.
Lohse is the de facto #2 pitcher on a team that should struggle to score runs. If your second best pitcher is the definition of average, pitchers 3, 4, and 5 are all below average. We'll lose most of those games, break even when Lohse pitches, and maybe win more than we lose when our (also de facto) "ace" Wainwright pitches. That's a recipe for a losing season.
Sorry, I forgot to make this post entertaining, or bash Aaron Miles. Maybe next time!
Labels: Despair, Kyle Lohse
posted by Josh Katz at
3:09 PM
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