Jason Isringhausen Wants to Play in 2010

Jason Isringhausen, the Cardinals all-time saves leader, wants to continue playing this season. In an interview with KSLG 1380-AM in St. Louis, Isringhausen said he is ready to play this year. He thinks he will have a home for the 2010 season, and is waiting for calls. He said the probability he would pitch again was 90%. He has reportedly been working out with Chris Carpenter this offseason and feels good. Isringhausen’s production dropped greatly in 2008 and 2009 due to injury problems. He spent last season with the Rays, appearing in only nine games.

If Isringhausen does pitch this year, the Cardinals are a logical landing spot. He had the best years of his career and St. Louis. His relationship with Carpenter and others makes it a possibility, too. However, I don’t think Izzy fits in with this club, and it is hard to see him finding another team. Perhaps he could spend part of the season in the minors and prove he still has some gas left in the tank. At the very least, he needs to get signed by Spring Training to use it as an audition. If he does make a team, it will be getting a class act in the bullpen.