The Cards signed Mark Grudzielanek to a one year deal today. Grudzielanek is a better choice than Alomar, and a better option than Womack was last year.

Using VOPRr (a rate version of VORP, Value Over Replacement Player) Grudz clocked in with .233, while Tony Womack managed a .241. One of those players was having a career year. One wasn't. The Cardinals signed the right one.

Some Blogosphere Grudzielanek notes:
On his defense and enthusiasm it seems nobody is really impressed.

David Pinto on a different teams intentions:
Other possibilities include infielders Tony Batista, Mark Grudzielanek and David Eckstein, and outfielders Juan Gonzalez, Dustan Mohr and Ruben Sierra.

In other words, nobody really good. The problem is that the Devil Rays are going after washed up veterans or players like Mohr and Phelps who have a mixed track record. They also appear to never have heard of OBA.

Unfortunatly the Cards have ended up with a middle infield composed of two members of that list.

This isn't a move thats going to set the world on fire, but it's not a bad move (with the caveat that terms weren't disclosed). It gives the Cardinals a decent second baseman and lets Luna stay in AAA to get some playing time. And it's worlds better than Roberto Alomar.