Wellemeyer, 32, had been slowed by a hip injury this spring, though he made his first start with the Cubs' Triple-A affiliate earlier this week (eight hit and four runs in 3 2/3 innings). He pitched for the Giants last season, but was released after posting a 5.68 ERA in 58 2/3 innings. Wellemeyer was originally drafted by the Cubs back in 2000, and retires with a 4.83 career ERA in parts of eight seasons with five teams. Baseball-Reference.com lists his career earnings at $7.67MM. 

The Cubs drafted Wellemeyer in the fourth round of the 2000 draft and he showed some promise in the minor leagues, striking out more than a batter per inning and reaching the majors in his fourth pro season. He pitched for the Cubs from 2003-05 before they traded him to the Marlins.

Wellemeyer was a valuable starter for the 2008 Cardinals, but has struggled since. Last year, the 32-year-old pitched 58 2/3 innings for the Giants and posted a 5.68 ERA with 6.3 K/9 and 5.4 BB/9. Another former Cardinal, Jeff Suppan, figures to replace Wellemeyer on the defending World Champions this year.

As MLBTR's Free Agent Tracker shows, starters like Kevin Millwood, Jeremy Bonderman, Freddy Garcia, Doug Davis, Rodrigo Lopez, Todd Wellemeyer and Brian Moehler remain unsigned. Andy Pettitte is clearly the best of the unsigned bunch, but it's the Yankees or retirement for him, and right now it looks like the latter is winning out. Neither Pedro Martinez, Braden Looper, or Jarrod Washburn have appeared in a big league game in over a year. John Maine, Justin Duchscherer and Jamie Moyer are coming off injuries, Tommy John surgery in Moyer's case.

There are still a number of teams looking for rotation help, including the Yankees, Orioles, Nationals, Pirates and Indians. Which of those unsigned starters represents the best option?

AUGUST 9th: The Giants designated Todd Wellemeyer for assignment to make room for Emmanuel Burriss, according to the team (on Twitter). San Francisco activated Wellemeyer Thursday and he appeared in one game, but pitched poorly. The Braves picked up four hits and an earned run off of the right-hander before he could record an out yesterday.

The 31-year-old has a season ERA of 5.68 with 6.3 K/9 and 5.4 BB/9 in 58.2 innings. Wellemeyer was a fixture in the Giants rotation before a quadriceps injury sidelined him for much of June and all of July. He makes $1MM this year and hits free agency after the season. Last night's performance and his quad injury will likely limit interest in Wellemeyer.

• The Dodgers' ownership issue won't be resolved until the end of the season, writes Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times.  The trial to determine the owner of the club will begin on August 30th.
• Sergio Santos – formerly a shortstop in the Diamondbacks organization – has made it to the major leagues as a pitcher for the White Sox, writes Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune.
• Todd Wellemeyer isn't sure that the Giants' rotation is better than the Cardinals starting five that he was a part of, writes Andrew Baggarly of the Mercury News.  While it has yet to be announced, Wellemeyer will likely be crowned the fifth starter in San Francisco's rotation.
• Rockies catcher Paul Lo Duca will accept his reassignment to the minors, tweets Troy Renck of The Denver Post.
• Steve Dilbeck of the Los Angeles Times supports the Dodgers' sale of Eric Stults to the Hiroshima Carp.  This year marked Stults' ninth with the organization.
• Dontrelle Willis is sad to see Nate Robertson go to Florida, writes Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post.  Willis' inclusion in Detroit's rotation was a big reason why the Tigers were able to part with Robertson.

• Confidential documents in the McCourts' divorce hearing reveal that the Dodgers may seek to spend on players at level pace while doubling ticket prices and revenue through 2018, writes Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times.  This is bad news for Dodgers fans as the uncertain financial status of the club has limited their activity this winter.
• The Indians are keeping mum on their feelings about Edward Salcedo's reportedly impending deal with the Braves, writes Paul Hoynes of The Plain Dealer.  Salcedo, according to a Dominican paper, was signed by the Tribe in 2007.  The club denied this and word that the prospect lied about his age followed.
• Todd Wellemeyer is fighting for a spot with the Giants in Spring Training, writes Andrew Baggarly of the Mercury News.  Wellemeyer had a disappointing 2009 for the Cardinals, posting a 5.89 ERA with 5.7 K/9 and 4.2 BB/9.
• Even though the D-Backs find themselves with two starting-caliber catchers in Miguel Montero and Chris Snyder, GM Josh Byrnes won't try to trade the latter, writes Gilbert.  Snyder was nearly dealt for Lyle Overbay in November before the Blue Jays got cold feet.
• Justin Upton has had discussions with the Diamondbacks regarding a contract extension, writes Steve Gilbert of MLB.com.  The 22-year-old is under contractual control for four more years.
• Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports writes that some Scott Boras detractors believe he sacrificed Johnny Damon for Matt Holliday.  Some rival agents and club executives assert that the super-agent declined to negotiate with the Yankees regarding Damon early on, allowing the possibility that they could pursue Holliday.  Boras scoffed at the notion when asked about it by Rosenthal.
• Jake Peavy would have liked to see Damon join the White Sox, writes Scott Merkin of MLB.com.

Wellemeyer, 31, had a decent 2008 season for the Cardinals despite middling peripheral stats.  A big innings jump in '08 may have contributed to an elbow injury last year.  Wellemeyer's numbers worsened across the board in his '09 walk year, leading to a 5.89 ERA in 122.3 innings.  Still, there's nothing to lose for the Giants by signing him to a minor league deal.  The Rockies, Mets, Phillies, and D'Backs were also linked to Wellemeyer this winter.

2:01pm: Todd Wellemeyer told the Team 1380 in St. Louis that he could sign with the Mets, Rockies or Giants. Tim McKernan of the Team tweets that Wellemeyer hasn't talked to the Cardinals and doesn't expect to return to St. Louis (Hat Tip: Bart Hubbuch).

MLBTR reported earlier this week that the Phillies and D'Backs expressed interest in Wellemeyer, along with the Rockies. The 31-year-old pitched to a 5.89 ERA in 122.1 innings last year, with sub-par rate stats: 5.7 K/9 and 4.2 BB/9.

Wellemeyer had a strong 2008 season for the Cardinals, posting a 3.71 ERA in 191.6 innings.  But even then there were a few warning signs.  His strikeout and walk rates were nothing special at 6.3 and 2.9 per nine.  He's a flyball pitcher, leading to 25 home runs in those 32 starts.  The biggest concern was the innings jump – Wellemeyer had spent most of his big league career as a reliever.

Wellemeyer agreed to a $4.05MM deal in his final year with the Cards.  2009 didn't go well – his elbow started hurting, his velocity and control slipped, and more flyballs left the yard.  He might have to accept a minor league deal for 2010 to redeem himself.

• Via Twitter Heyman says Mets GM Omar Minaya likes Luis Castillo more than any of the 29 other teams do.
• Heyman groups the Cubs in as a possible Matt Holliday suitor, which does not seem feasible given the team's payroll situation. 
• Lefty reliever Mike Gonzalez has "drawn interest from as many as 15 teams."
• A new name on the Brewers' radar as a "No. 5-type guy": Todd Wellemeyer.
• Heyman speaks of "indications the Angels might be willing to trade outfielder Juan Rivera."  One such indication popped up earlier this month when Ken Davidoff said the Angels and Tigers discussed a Curtis Granderson deal.  Rivera had a solid year – .287/.332/.478 – and has $9.5MM remaining over two years.

This from Wellemeyer himself: "I know it’s getting close, I’ll tell you that much."

Wellemeyer, 30, went 13-9 with a 3.71 ERA in 2008.

Leach notes that deals might be close for Chris Duncan and Brad Thompson, too. General manager John Mozeliak said he would like to avoid arbitration with Duncan and Thompson, as well as Rick Ankiel and Ryan Ludwick.

Mozeliak is hopeful that none of the five players will actually go to arbitration. Ankiel is especially challenging given his short tenure as an outfielder, Leach writes.

• Bernie Miklasz notes that the Cardinals have only three starting pitchers (Adam Wainwright, Todd Wellemeyer, and Joel Pineiro) locked up for next year (he’s not expecting Chris Carpenter to contribute in 2009), and no prospects waiting in the wings. His solution? Pry open owner Bill DeWitt’s wallet, "and please, no el cheapo deals for rehabbing pitchers, medically risky pitchers, broken-down pitchers."
• The Pirates have it a little bit tougher. According to pitching coach Jeff Andrews, it consists of Paul Maholm and "a blank sheet." Here’s one vote for adding Ian Snell, "on the verge of becoming the best right-handed pitcher to come from Delaware since World War I," according to DelwareBaseball.com, who sponsors his Baseball Reference page.
• According to GM Jim Bowden, the Nationals will explore ways to upgrade their defense for 2009, including the possibility of moving Lastings Milledge from center field back to a corner spot. Left fielder Elijah Dukes could move to center.
• Despite going through a difficult divorce, Padres’ owner John Moores is not planning on selling the team—which he bought because of his soon-to-be ex.
• The Mets seem to be rushing John Maine back from the DL in an attempt to keep their playoff hopes alive.
• Dave Krieger is amazed that the Rockies aren’t doing anything to try and keep free-agent closer Brian Fuentes.

Sarah Green writes for the Boston Metro and Umpbump.