Lohse open to Mid-Season Extension talks

Kyle Lohse has told reporters that he is open to discussing a mid-season extension that would keep him in St. Louis. The Cardinals, however, have yet to talk to Lohse about a possible deal.

Lohse is currently having a career year, posting a 2.79 ERA in 23 games started and 148 1/3 innings pitched. He is in the final year of a four-year, $41 million contract extension he signed with the Cardinals late in the 2008 season.

Buster Olney suggested that Lohse could get a contract similar to the one that Mark Buehrle signed with Miami before this season. Buehrle's contract was a four-year deal worth $58 million. Lohse is a client of Scott Boras, so that will definitely help him getting a massive deal.

Analysis: I've never been a big fan of Lohse, and I think that it would be a big mistake for the Cardinals to sign him to an extension, especially one exceeding $50 million or so. First off, Lohse is not a young player by any means. He is going to be 34 years old this fall and does not have a good track record. He had many poor seasons with Minnesota and I quite honestly don't trust him. He was pretty good last year and is playing way over his head this year. I think the Cardinals should just let him walk, and save some payroll. But anyway, good move by Lohse here. He knows that getting guaranteed money now would be smart for an injury-prone player like him.