December 26, 2007
Rumor Mill: Winter of our dis-Clement

Apparently the Cardinals are close to making former Padres, Marlins, Cubs and Red Sox hurler Matt Clement the new Kip Wells.

A lifetime 87-86 pitcher with a 4.47 ERA, Clement didn't give up a single hit or run in 2007. That's entirely because he was out the entire season following shoulder surgery.

The Cardinals think they can rebuild Clement and revitalize his career. You know the words to that tune, so everybody sing along!

Supposing Chris Carpenter, Mark Mulder and Matt Clement all return to their pre-injury form and make up the top of the Cardinals rotation in 2009. How many people will pass out at Busch Stadium every time one of them throws a pitch, holding their breath in fear that the pitcher du jour's surgically repaired arm will fall off?

In all seriousness, Clement was 10-2 with a 3.85 ERA in the first half of the season in 2005 before things started to go south. He finished the year by going 3-4 in the second half with a 5.72 ERA.

It will be interesting to see what dave Duncan can do with Matt Clement.