Pitcher Kyle Lohse may not be in the Cardinals’ plans for next season, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Joe Strauss.
Lohse is in the final season of a four-year, $41 million contract. While the team recently extended pitcher Jake Westbrook, Lohse will likely command a larger deal. Based on the Cardinals’ projected 2013 rotation, they probably won’t spend the money to retain Lohse.
The Cardinals can go into the 2013 season with Jaime Garcia, Lance Lynn, Adam Wainwright and Westbrook in their rotation. The final spot could be filled by Chris Carpenter depending on whether he is available. If Carpenter can’t go, the team still has guys like Joe Kelly or prospect Shelby Miller.
Lohse would like to remain with the team, but is waiting for them to approach him about a contract. The 32-year-old Lohse has a 2.61 ERA and a 3.58 FIP in 169 innings this season.
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