Perez Memphis Bound

Ask and you shall receive.  Just yesterday I was pondering who might take the final seat in the right-handed section of the Cardinal bullpen.  Today, I get my answer.

Looking to go with someone capable of pitching multiple innings, the brain trust decided to take swingman Brad Thompson to St. Louis over the young Chris Perez, who was optioned to AAA Memphis today.  Perez didn’t have a bad spring, but the time he missed with shoulder discomfort didn’t help his case.  He’ll be closing out games for the Redbirds for the time being, although I think we’ll see him in Cardinal uniform sooner than later.  Derrick Goold has more on the story.

I can’t say I’m surprised by the move, but I definitely would have like to see it go the other way.  I haven’t been impressed with Thompson since he first arrived on the scene.  Over the past couple of seasons, versatility might have been his only positive attribute.

Perez, on the other hand, is a guy I can get excited about.  He throws hard, isn’t afraid to go right after the hitter, and has been closing games his entire career.  Hopefully he can work on his command, gain more professional experience, and be back up with the big club in no time.

Now that the bullpen is set, it looks like there’s only one more roster spot still up for grabs.  Maybe we’ll find out who that goes to tomorrow.