Cardinals add lefty to the bullpen, but it’s not Burnett

September 20, 2012; Washington, D.C., USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Randy Choate (50) pitches in the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. The Nationals defeated the Dodgers 4 – 1. Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

St. Louis Cardinals GM John Mozeliak said prior to the Winter Meetings that his priorities would be adding a left-hander to the bullpen and possibly a fourth outfielder. The Cardinals got their lefty today, signing veteran Randy Choate to a three year, $7.5MM deal.

Choate, 37, had a 0-0 record with a 3.03 ERA, 38 K, 38.2 IP and a 1.216 WHIP in 2012.

The Cardinals made a push for Sean Burnett, who today signed with the Los Angeles Angels. The Cards bowed out, supposedly when the price for Burnett got too high.

Mozeliak has been busy with agents and on the phone. The rumor mill has produced reports of the Cardinals pursuing infielders Yunel Escobar (via trade), Stephen Drew and Marco Scutaro, as well as reliever Manny Parra.
According to BJ Rains via Twitter, the Cardinals may not have been as active as the rumors suggest on the infielder front.

Tomorrow the Winter Meetings conclude. On tomorrow’s schedule is the Rule 5 draft. With only one day left of the meetings and the attention on the Rule 5 draft, the likely hood of any other major moves happening by the close of the meetings appears remote. The possibility remains though that discussions with players, agents and other general managers may have gone well enough to leave a positive impression in their minds and have potential deals come together quickly in the coming days and weeks.

Mo went to Nashville with one major goal, acquiring a LOOGY–left handed one out guy–or left handed specialist. With Choate, they fill that role well. Not flashy by any means, but it fills a bona fide need. I give Mo a passing grade for the meetings.

What says you? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below on the signing of Randy Choate and the overall success–or lack of– in the Winter Meetings.