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There has been speculation that free agent Kyle Lohse may wait until after the 2013 MLB Draft to sign his next contract in order to shed the weight of draft-pick compensation and increase his value. However, Lohse's agent Scott Boras told Peter Gammons of MLB Network that his client will sign before the upcoming draft.
Boras attributed his comments to the fact that he has "too many teams in play" for his client. So far this offseason, the Texas Rangers, Milwaukee Brewers and Baltimore Orioles have been among the clubs tied to Lohse.
Along with the draft pick issue, Lohse's hefty asking price has reportedly kept a deal from being completed. Boras has told reporters that he continues to seek a three-year contract with a "big" annual salary for his client. Most consider "big" to likely mean $10 million-plus per year.
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Teams have balked at this asking price, considering Lohse is 34 years old and hasn't been the most consistent pitcher over the last few years. The right-hander was spectacular last season -- garnering National League Cy Young Award consideration -- but he only mustered an ERA of 5.54 over 40 starts from 2009-10 for the Cardinals. There's also the question of how Lohse -- who's pitched in the NL since 2006 -- would handle a transition to the American League.
Over 12 seasons in the majors, Lohse owns a career ERA of 4.45 with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 2.19. Since he signed with St. Louis in 2008, the right-hander has maintained a 3.90 ERA.
