PEREZ COULD CLOSE FOR CARDS

The parade of caravans continued through Central Illinois. Thursday it was the Cubs. Sunday it was the Cardinals.

In fact, they're already playing doubleheaders, with caravan stops at both
Redbird Arena in Normal and the Embassy Suites Hotel in East Peoria.

Reliever Chris Perez was part of the group. He'd like to be the guy Tony LaRussa hands the ball to at the end of the game.

"He's real big on competition," said Perez, who registered 7 saves for St. Louis last year after his promotion from Triple-A Memphis. "Going into spring training 2 or 3 of us are competing for the job and that's what you want competition. Competition brings out the best in competitors, which baseball players are. I'm just happy to be on the team. I just want to help the team win. I told everybody last year when I got called up, I don't have to pitch the 9th. I can pitch the 7th, the 8th, the 9th, you know, whatever. I just want to help the team win."

There are other candidates for the job, like set up man Josh Kinney. Kinney returned from Tommy John surgery in September and didn't allow a run in 7 appearances.

"Somebody will pitch the 9th," said Kinney. "II don't know who it will be. We have some young candidates and I'm sure I'm in the mix of it. But right now it doesn't really matter. I know it will be a competitive spot. Its nice to know that the team is going to handle the closer situation in house. That's kind of neat. Its gives us all something to shoot for. We'll see. Time will tell."

(week.com)