Pineiro passes on free agency, signs with Cards

ST. LOUIS -- After reviving his career as a starting pitcher, Joel Pineiro briefly considered testing the free-agent market. He ended up staying in the same place, with the team that gave him another opportunity.

Pineiro agreed to a $13 million, two-year contract with St. Louis on Monday after thriving with the Cardinals down the stretch.

"St. Louis gave me that chance," Pineiro said. "They took that chance on me. That meant a lot to me."

The right-hander went 6-4 in 11 starts with St. Louis after being acquired from the Red Sox at the trade deadline, and could have opted for free agency. The deal includes a $500,000 signing bonus and salaries of $5 million in 2008 and $7.5 million in 2009.

Pineiro is the third pitcher retained since the end of the season, with the Cardinals also picking up an $8 million option on closer Jason Isringhausen and re-signing right-hander Russ Springer.

-- AP