The St. Louis Cardinals and Todd Wellemeyer have signed a one year contract for 2008.  The new contract will pay Wellemeyer $1 million dollars.  He was asking for $1.325 in arbitration, but settled on the $1 million spot.  Pretty good payday for him.

Wellemeyer could compete for a spot in the Cardinals roation but I think he is better suited for the bullpen.  He can come in and throw some gas for an inning and really help out the ball club more then as a starter.  That is my opinion anyways.  What do you think Cardinals fans?

Yadier Molina and the St. Louis Cardinals have reached an agreement on a new four year contract that will pay Molina $15.5 million dollars.  There is a club option for a fifth year as well that will include a $750,000 buyout.

Pretty good signing for both parties.  Molina deserved a raise and the Cardinals have it to him.  Now the Cardinals can concentrate on other positions this offseason.

Cardinals Blog

The St. Louis Cardinals didn’t want to goto salary arbitration with outfielder Rick Ankiel so they signed him to a new one year contract that will be worth $900,000.  Pretty good deal for Ankiel for my opinion.   He will battle it out for a starting spot out in the outfield during spring training.

Does he have the stamina to play everyday out the outfield is a question that I have to ask however.  I think he should play around 70% of the time and the be a pitch hitter.  It will be interesting to see how manager Tony LaRussa chooses to use Ankiel.

Cardinals Blog

The St. Louis Cardinals and the Toronto Blue Jays swapped third basemen today as Scott Rolen was traded for Troy Glaus.  Rolen has been in the doghouse for a while now with Tony LaRussa so everyone knew that he was going to be dealt during the offseason.

For the trade to be agreed upon, Glaus had to exercise his player option for 2009 at 11.25 million, and both players were required to drop their no trade clauses in their contracts.

Troy Glaus has been injured lately, but when healthy he can put up some pretty good numbers.  His name was mentioned in the Mitchell Report however, but I don’t think that will have any affect on his gameplay in 2008.  Cardinal fans should all hope Glaus stays healthy and has a monster year in 08 whch I think he will.

The bottom line here, the Cardinals made a great trade today, and it will show in 2008!

Cardinals Blog

Reports are starting to spread around the Internet this afternoon that the St. Louis Cardinals and pitcher Matt Clement have agreed on a contract.  The contract is for one year and a club option for 2009.  Pretty much what you can expect for someone coming off a major should injury.

This is a pretty good move by the Cardinals in my opinion.  Clement hasn’t pitched in a while, and is coming off surgery but I think he will be pretty good in 2008.  Definately worth taking a shot at in my opinion when you look at the rotation the Cardinals have.

What do you think?  Matt Clement a good fit for the Cardinals?  Wonder how it will go when he makes his first trip back to Wrigley Field to pitch against the Cubs!

Cardinals Blog

Welcome to CardinalsHomePlate which is a brand new St. Louis Cardinals Blog!  We will be blogging about the Cardinals and their quest to get back into the post season and win the National League Central Division.

There are a lot of questions heading into the 2008 season for the Cardinals.  The team will be without Scott Rolen it appears, and also Jim Edmonds.  Both players are on the downside of their career but were still good players to have on the roster.  If Edmonds can stay healthy he is a pretty good center fielder.  Rolen is a great third basemen when healthy as well, but he and Tony LaRussa have really gotten into it, and Rolen doesn’t want to play for him anymore.

What are your thoughts for the upcoming Cardinals season?  Do they have what it takes to get back into the playoffs?  Let your opinion be heard by leaving a comment!