Jim Edmonds surprised many around the game by signing a minor league contract with the Cardinals yesterday. The 40-year-old outfielder was limited down the stretch last season due to a left Achilles injury, but he decided to return for his 18th major league season after undergoing surgery to repair the tendon last month.
According to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said that Edmonds is no lock for the team.
Edmonds will still have to pass a physical early next week. He could earn $1 million if he spends the entire season with the team.
If healthy, we know Edmonds can still rake. After sitting out the entire 2009 season, he batted .276/.342/.504 with 11 home runs and 23 RBI in 272 plate appearances between the Brewers and Reds last season. He was also just as useful as ever against right-handed pitching, batting .285 with nine homers and an .871 OPS over 200 at-bats.
It’s hard to really get worked up over a minor league deal, as Edmonds could prove to be a pretty capable backup outfielder for the club. He would also give Tony LaRussa one more reason to bench Colby Rasmus on occasion. And let’s face it, that always makes for excellent blog-fodder.