FanPost

Should Cards Re-Sign Lohse?

Lately, I have been contemplating whether the Cardinals should try to lock up Kyle Lohse for an extended term and plan on declining the options of Mulder and Clement?

From 2005-2007, Lohse has normally not produced well in the months of April-June (era's over 5 in each of those months, op ba over .300 each month).  Is this season a fluke, or has working with Duncan enhanced the value of another SP (2.36 era, .248 op ba)?

As the weather heats up, so does Lohse (July & Aug. 2005-2007- 3.89, 3.36 era, .276, .255 respectively).  Should we expect great things from him this year?  If so, then we should lock him up now before Boras makes him even greedier and with leverage this upcoming offseason.

Last offseason, Lohse was looking to get a 4 yr/40 million dollar contract.  I believe the Cardinals should go ahead and decline the options on Clement and Mulder (declining would cost the Cardinals 1.75 million, but picking up Mulder's 11 million or Clements 8.75 million would be worse) and begin investing in a 29 year old pitcher who has never been on the DL and can provide quality starts.

My recommendation would be to try to lock Lohse in for 4 years at 8 million/year with incentives that if achieved would put him slightly over the 40 million he sought last offseason.