January 10, 2007
Mulder Stays a Cardinal
Ryan at Cardinals Diaspora writes:
Local sports radio here in MO is reporting that Mulder has resigned with the Cards. I don't mind him coming back; in fact, I think it might help to save some face on the Haren/Barton trade. However, I think the second year could really bite us given the probability he'll be league average at best. If management wants or needs to upgrade during this season or for the 2008 season, that will be a heavy load to bear on the bottom line. Ah, the free agent pitching market, could Adam Smith himself have ever visualized it?
It's a great example of supply and demand at work. Over the last two years, Mulder's K per 9 is just above acceptable, 4.9 per 9 IP. That's doesn't give the impression of much upside.
Update: Here's more information on Mulder's contract. It's very incentive laden. He'll get $13 million over two years, but it could be worth $45 million over three seasons if he pitches often and well.
Plus, he's coming off rotator cuff surgery and pitched rather poorly last year until he got hurt. The Cubs and Astros should have improved offenses too so he might have more difficulty pitching in that division.
I'm surprised a Cardinals blogger cares about whether the team saves face. It was a bad trade. It's not your job to help them save face. Is it?