LHP Carmen Cali continues to impress scouts with his performace in the Domican Winter League. Yesterday he retired all four hitters he faced to drop his ERA to an impressive 0.92.

In 19 2/3 innings Cali has allowed just two runs and has a 16/3 K/BB ratio.

In 6 innings with the big club last year, Cali looked terrible, walking six while only striking out 5, and allowing 10 hits (three of them out of the park).

Cali showed promising signs in 2004 with the Tennessee double-A team and triple-A Redbirds, sporting a 2.86 ERA between both squads. However, in 2005 his numbers tailed off as he struggled with his command.

His Dominican League numbers are a good sign that he has found the strike zone again and it seems a good bet that he will break camp with the Major league team in '06. I personally like the idea of carrying three lefties in the bullpen in Cali, Randy Flores and newly signed Ricardo Rincon. Add righties Brad Thompson, Braden Looper and Izzy and I like the way the bullpen takes shape.

I would still, however, love to see Jocketty go after Octavio Dotel to add a little more of a strikeout punch in the mix...and solidify what could be the Cardinals' strongest bullpen in years.

Octavio? Are you listening? Or Walt?