Cards Sign Edmonds

I've been concerned that centerfielder Jim Edmonds has been coming to the end of his career. I thought the Cards might let him go and that it might be the best thing for the team even though it would be hard to see such an institutional player go. But the Cards signed him to a two year deal last week. It seemed like an OK deal at best to me. Then I read this:

It was a difficult year for Edmonds, who battled shoulder and foot injuries as well as post-concussion syndrome. He was limited to 110 games in 2006, his lowest total since 1999, and his offensive numbers suffered across the board. The lefty-swinging outfielder batted .257/.350/.471 (average/on-base/slugging) with 19 homers, 70 RBIs and 52 runs scored -- his lowest figures since 1999.

Still, even those numbers rated him among the more productive center fielders in the league...

I haven't looked but I don't think there are any real star center fielders coming onto the free agent market this year. If Edmonds shortened season numbers still rank then we may have kept him for a song.