The hoopla for whether or not Kyle Lohse would be Type A free agent this off-season is moot now, as the Cardinals appear to be close to signing the soon-to-be 30 year-old. The deal is reportedly going to be in the 4-year, $48m range, similar to Carlos Silva's last year. If that's any indication of what the market's going to be like this off-season, watch out. Carlos Silva was the priciest contract of last season's pitcher market, coming off a season very similar to Lohse's. With names like Ben Sheets, CC Sabathia, and A.J. Burnett all potentially on the market, MLB could see another salary spike of colossal proportions.

The Cardinals clearly feel that there's more benefit to keeping Lohse around then letting him walk and picking up two draft picks. At $12m a year, is Lohse worth it? This was Kyle's first season in his career in which he sported an ERA below 4.00. He also had the lowest HR/9 ratio (0.81) of his career, a ratio that has long been one of his flaws. Despite the appearance of a career year for Kyle, the Cardinals are in a situation where some assurance in the rotation would be a welcome blessing. Lohse, Adam Wainwright, and Todd Wellemeyer will form the backbone of the rotation, with Braden Looper or an outside arm probably filling the 4th spot. My hope, much like VEB, is that the deal is only 3 years, enough time to allow younger arms to develop but not long enough to handicap the organization in the final year of the contract.

To boost their rotation further, the Cardinals might consider parting with some prime prospects for someone like Zack Greinke of the Royals. A move like that would almost certainly require Jess Todd and Bryan Anderson as part of the package, in addition to 2 or 3 other good prospects. The off-season is beginning and Mo is already making a move. Here's hoping it's not the only one he makes.