St. Louis Cardinals: Signing Brian Fuentes Would Be a Bad Move

Brian Fuentes is the  St. Louis Cardinals' "top priority." These are the words of Cardinals' manager Tony La Russa. Sure the Cardinals' bullpen blew 31 saves as a team last year. Sure it may have quite possibly cost them a shot at the playoffs. But is Brian Fuentes the answer? What do you say Mr. I-Will-Let-You-Go-Blow-Another-Save-Jason-Isringhausen, ahem, Mr. La Russa? "From Day One, he's been the guy that fit us the best," La Russa said of Fuentes. "You know, we have a strong right-handed relief core, whether it's a veteran like Ryan [Franklin] or [Josh] Kinney or Brad Thompson or the two kids [Jason Motte and Chris Perez]. A left-handed reliever, quality like Brian, from Day One, he's the guy who was our first choice. And I'm excited that here we are and we're still in the hunt and he's still available." So what exactly is it that the Cardinals are looking for here? I know the Cardinals had their struggles last year with the southpaws in their bullpen, but it seems that if they were ... (link)