If Clement is ever going to make a comeback, St. Louis is probably his best shot. LaRussa and Duncan have built their careers on wringing good performances out of unlikely pitchers.

Given that fact, and the low-risk contract, the move has very little downside and a lot of upside. But you're right; it really doesn't do anything to reduce the uncertainty around the Cardss' rotation. It just gives them one more possible solution.

Despite a yankee fan trying to compare Clement's
decline to Pavano's no-show, Clement made the AL all-star squad but was never the same after being hit by a comebacker. As a long time Boston fan, I will never understand Francona allowing Clement to stay in for consecutive short starts of 8 earned runs each. That is not big league pitching management.

Doesn't that final clause disqualify Clement from Cy Young consideration under the new voter rules?

This is a great signing. The money is WAY low, and the return could be huge. I'm just bugged the White Sox didn't get him.

The guy's 1 game over .500 for his career with a 4.5 ERA. Let me say this though he is a very nice guy. We were at a picture signing thing a couple of years ago and he took extra time with my kids and signed some extra stuff for them. Very pleasant. My wife bumped into him at a restaurant and said the same thing that he was very pleasant and patient. For some reason people were sending him drinks.

While it's convenient to say he was never the same after the line drive off his head in Tampa, it seems pretty clear that he became ineffective because his shoulder was in shreds. Andrews did both labrum and rotator cuff work, and said it was in far worse shape than imagined.

I like the signing by St. Louis. Little risk, but he has good upside if his shoulder holds up and he can get command back.

I wish he woulda went to Pittsburgh, since his hometown is less than a half hour away and right near where I go to college. I could have stopped over and asked for an autograph :( Bummer.