In need of a backup to Yadier Molina after veteran Gary Bennett became a free agent after two years with the team, the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday signed free agent catcher Jason LaRue to a one-year contract reportedly worth $850,000.

The Cardinals also signed right-handed pitchers Dewon Brazelton and John Wasdin to minor league contracts. Brazelton, a former first-round draft choice and third overall pick by Tampa Bay, last played in the majors in 2006 when he was 0-2 with a 12.00 ERA in nine games for San Diego. He spent last season with Class-AAA Omaha in the Royals’ organization and Class-AA Altoona in the Pirates’ farm system. Wasdin, Oakland’s first-round pick in 1993, broke camp with the Pirates last year, but his season ended in late July because of a wrist injury. He has also pitched for the Rangers, A’s, Red Sox, Rockies, Orioles, and Blue Jays.

LaRue, a career .233 hitter with 88 homers and 316 RBIs, spent his first eight seasons with the Reds before being traded to the Royals prior to last season. In 66 games with K.C., LaRue hit .148 with four homers and 13 RBIs and threw out 33 percent of would-be base stealers, seventh among catchers with at least 50 starts. His new contract reportedly includes a $50,000 bonus for 40 starts, and $100,000 each for 50, 60 and 65 starts in addition to the $850,000 base salary.

The other team that was active Monday was the Brewers, who purchased the contracts of minor leaguers RHP Tim Dillard, IF Alcides Escobar, C Lou Palmisano, and RHP Luis Pena and added them to their 40-man roster.

Thou shalt not confuse this Luis Pena, born 1/10/83, with the Luis Pena born 1/21/81 who pitched in the Padres and White Sox organizations from 2002-2005. This Luis Pena has been in the Brewers’ farm system since 2001, appearing in 155 minor league games during that time span.

Cardinals LHP Mark Mulder met with team doctor George Paletta and trainer Barry Weinberg on Wednesday for a scheduled checkup on his shoulder, and GM John Mozeliak called the report on Mulder’s recovery “very positive.”

Mulder has been limited to 20 starts during the past two seasons because of rotator cuff problems, and is coming off his second shoulder surgery in 12½ months. The last time he got an out in the sixth inning was June 3, 2006. The Cardinals, who are in need of starting pitching, expect Mulder to be ready for spring training and a part of the opening-day rotation.

Time to catch up on the transactions made by NL Central teams during the past week. Aside from moves made by the Astros and the Cubs that were previously reported here on RHM, here are the personnel machinations that went down this week:

On Monday 11/12, the Cardinals outrighted RHP Dennis Dove to Class-AAA Memphis.
On Tuesday 11/13:

•  The Cubs activated RHP Angel Guzman and RHP Mark Prior from the 60-day DL and traded OF Craig Monroe to the Twins for a PTBNL.
• The Pirates activated C Ryan Doumit and OF Chris Duffy from the 60-day DL.

On Wednesday 11/14, the Brewers signed LHP Randy Choate to a one-year contract. According to ESPN, it’s a split contract that would pay him $500,000 in the majors and $75,000 in the minors.

On Friday 11/16, the Pirates, as expected, declined their $5.45 million 2008 option on SS Cesar Izturis, officially making him the third member of the 2007 club to file for free agency, though GM Neal Huntington expressed interest in bringing Izturis back next season at a lower cost.

And today, Sunday 11/18, the Cardinals lost a top prospect, OF Cody Haerther, who was claimed off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays. He hit .292 with a .494 slugging percentage in 2007, mostly with the Class-AA Springfield farm team. The loss leaves the Cardinals with 35 players on their 40-man roster.

The Reds apparently slept through the week. In fact, they’ve slept though most of the month so far, having announced no transactions since activating Castro, Freel, and Livingston from the 60-day DL on Nov. 2.

Baseball-related song-writing-machine Ryan Parker adds his song to the musical tributes of Joe Nuxhall.

The Cincinnati outpouring of love and support for the Ol’ Lefthander continues. Enjoy this musical tribute, from my personal favorite band, the Screaming Mimes.

We’ll Miss You, Joe

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