Cardinals signed catcher Jason LaRue, who had been with the Royals, to a one-year, $850,000 contract.
The Cardinals needed a backup after declining Gary Bennett's $900,000 option. They ended up paying the same amount as if they had kept Bennett, who received a $50,000 buyout. Because of his defensive reputation, LaRue probably could have done a little better had he shopped himself around, even though he hit just .148/.240/.272 in 169 at-bats for the Royals last season. It marked the second straight year the former Reds regular came in under the Mendoza Line.
I knew LaRue hadn't been hitting for shit but didn't realize it was this bad. Never really known for his offense and the Cards like defense behind the plate. Maybe a return to the NL Central will help.