Cardinals Sign Jaime Garcia to 4-Year Extension

When the Cardinals sent out a note this morning inviting media to a 12:30 p.m. press conference, fans of the Redbirds couldn't help but speculate that something big was about to happen.

Did the Cardinals reach a contract with Albert Pujols? Were the Cardinals going to announce a trade for Pujols? Was Colby Rasmus being sent elsewhere? Had the Cardinals found someone to fix their shaky bullpen prior to the July 31 trade deadline?

The answer: None of the above. The Cardinals called the conference to announce that they'd come to terms with Jaime Garcia, signing the pitcher to four more years that will pay him $27.5 million to keep him in St. Louis through the 2015 season.

Whoopee.

Don't give me wrong. Garcia is 9-3 this year with a 3.22 ERA and 23-12 since joining the Redbirds in 2008. He's been a great addition -- and something of a surprise -- to the pitching staff.

But with all the concerns about making the playoffs this season, it's hard not to be a bit disappointed that today's news isn't something that will have an immediate impact on a team that in the All-Star Break is clinging to a precarious first-place tie in the division.