Cards Sign Nick Punto

I've been checking the local websites to see if we had an earthquake last night. I'm 80% sure that I woke up to my room shaking at some point during the night, but there's nothing out there so far. If it was one, I can officially say I've finally experienced an earthquake after failing to detect the big one three years ago. Earthquakes, tornadoes, snowstorms, CBA lockouts, Tony La Russa Roasts... the world actually is coming to an end.

Quick post this morning about the newly-signed 2B/SS/3B Nick Punto. Great reading here from Fangraphs writer Matt Klaasen on Punto before he signed with St. Louis. Punto was signed to a one-year, $750,000 roster spot, and Klaasen suspects that Punto will be a 1.5 WAR player, worth between $4-5 million over a year. An excerpt:

While never getting a full season of playing time, the last three seasons he has been 2.5 (377 PA), 1.3 (440 PA), and 1.4 WAR (288 PA), respectively. UZR is impressed with his infield defense at 3B, 2B, and SS. So is DRS, and (to a lesser extent) TotalZone. He’s probably an above-average fielder at second and third (where his range makes up for a weak arm), and although he’s not as good at shortstop, he’s probably at least average-ish. He’s likely close to 1.5 WAR player over a full season.

Punto's projected '11 statistics at BBTF are what you expect: 314 AB, .239/.324/.306, 71 OPS+. He's a defensive standout, capable of playing 2B, SS, and 3B without Aaron Miles' glove of stone. From the surface, the deal looks like a winner - a utility guy on the cheap who should be worth about a win or more. However, the opportunity costs can't be ignored. Tyler Greene, Dan Descalso, and even Donovan Solano are worth having a discussion about whether the long-term future of the team would be better served without Punto. Hopefully, the 25th spot will be open for competition in ST; Punto's relatively small contract would indicate that might be the case. This is TLR we're talking about, however. Like Rex Ryan at a Golden Corral, I'm not sure it's a fair fight.