The Cardinals needed a starter to replace Matt Morris. Much like Morris a few years ago, when he was returning from an injury, the Cardinals now have signed Ponson for an inexpensive price. It is Dave Duncan's job to help Ponson. I am all in favor of second chances, I just hope Ponson will take advantage of his second second chance (that is not a typo). Some players received numerous second chances in their careers (Darryl "Ten Second Chances" Strawberry, Dwight "I'm called Doc, Can't I Prescribe Myself Some Crack" Gooden"), some have screwed up right after drafting (Josh Hamilton), and these players have tarnished the name of baseball. Not all players are bad (Dale Murphy, Jim Eisenrich, Shawn Casey). Ponson had the potential to do well. I do hope that the change of scenery is good for Ponson. I am skeptical that it will be (he received too many offers - it might go to his head that he is still good and teams will take a flyer on him). However, Dave Duncan helped turn Morris back into a premier pitcher. I think if anyone can do it for Ponson, Duncan can.

I've always wondered if a second second chance is a third chance or a fourth chance.

Replacing Tavarez with Looper? And Matt Morris with Ponson? St. Louis has had far, far better offseasons than this one. If Duncan can turn these guys around, he oughta eclipse Mazzone as the premier pitching coach in the game.

Duncan has taken guys like Jeff Suppan and Jason Marquis and made them into decent pitchers.

Sidney's prognosis for recovery will increase significantly if the words "twelve step rpogram" are involved.

Until then, I'm thinking Hideki Irabu more than Jeff Suppan.

The trouble is, this basically puts the development of their best young starter in jeopardy. Anthony Reyes was set to fill the hole Morris left. He's pretty much done all he can do in the minors. He needs to start in the majors. But now he won't get that chance for yet another year, possibly.

St. Louis did appear to be slow on the draw this offseason. I would think with their passionate fan base they should be getting more revenue than they do.
Sidney Ponson obviously has some serious problems, and counting on him to regain his once very promising form, would probably be along the same lines as Brett Boone returning to his old self.
I would think this could be the end of the line for Mr. Ponson.

Bob Welsh and Denis Eckersly were also recovering alcoholics who excelled under TLR and Duncan.

Oh, and I've had a feeling this whole offseason that Walt has a trade in place for Marquis, but he just needed another starting pitcher. Hopefully Marquis gets traded and reyes stays in the rotation.

Very good point with citing Eckersly and Welsh overcoming problems. Ponson will probably find more guidance in St. Louis than he did in Baltimore. Being on a team that has been to the WS and the NLCS twice in the past 2 seasons can be a motivator as well.

It's Welch, not Welsh. Does anyone know if Sidney is actually recovering? Was he even an alcoholic, or just a guy who likes to get drunk once in a while?

Well, I've read about him going to a 30 day clinic for alcoholism, so I'm guessing he was.

Sidney has not had a drink since his arrest in august and works out four hours a day and eating healthy. He is going to be amazing this year. Bravo to the cardinals for seeing him for what he really is, they got a great deal.

So I imagine this blocks Anthony Reyes? There's nothing wrong with having six potential starters, but I wish they'd give the kid a chance. He has the potential to be a heck of a lot better than Pontoon. Of course, Trader Walt might not be done yet (and I hope he isn't). The idea of the corner outfield spots being manned by Bigbie and Encarnacion every day makes me feel ill. Realistically, though, that's how I see the Cards starting the season. Perhaps one of the extra starters could be useful trade bait in July and the Cardinals could pick up an impact bat then, when the market might be cooler.