The Cardinals and ace Chris Carpenter have agreed to a two-year contract extension worth $21MM that will provide the right-hander with additional security and provide the Cardinals with a productive starter for two more seasons.
Joe Strauss of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch first reported the move on Sunday and the Cardinals have now announced it.
Carpenter, 36, was in the final guaranteed year of the five-year, $63.5MM deal he signed before the 2007 season. The team held a $15MM club option for his services next year, but Strauss says the option is rolled into a longer structure that saves the team about $4MM in 2012. This extension includes no appearance-based incentives or options either. Late last month, Ben Nicholson-Smith said Carpenter "may well be a luxury on whom GM John Mozeliak is prepared spend," and he certainly has. MLBTR's Tim Dierkes predicted last week that the team would hammer out a new contract at a lower salary in advance of the November option decision.
Now four full years out from Tommy John surgery, Carpenter has pitched to a 3.75 ERA in 206 1/3 innings this season. Although his ground ball rate (45.6%) is the lowest it's ever been since he joined St. Louis, he does boast his highest strikeout rate (7.15 K/9) in five years as well as a strong walk rate (2.18 BB/9). The 2005 Cy Young Award winner's fastball velocity has jumped a tick as well.
Last month we heard that the Cardinals were expected to pick up Adam Wainwright's options for 2012 and 2013, while the right-hander recovers from his own Tommy John surgery. Carpenter's new deal gives Mozeliak one less thing to worry about in a winter that figures to be dominated by negotiations with Albert Pujols.
Same here. I would think they would focus with the Pujols question before tackling other needs on the team.
In a way this could be viewed as a move to help the Pujols negotiations: showing him a commitment to re-signing the leaders and core players, rather than just clearing cap room to pay a Pujols-sized contract with little chance of making the playoffs.
That was a very generous move by Carp. It would be the same as playing next year at $15m and then year 2 at $6m. Great bargain for the Cards. I was assuming more like 2/$25 or even 3/$33 in the event he would take less annually for more security.
except he wasn’t guaranteed that 15 million; it was a club option… and they very well may have not exercised it.
He still could have gotten at least $30 million (and 3 years) via free agency.
He signed a below-market deal to stay in StL. Bottom line.
Nobody would give him 3 years…except the Phillies.
My bad. I misread that.
Wow, that seems like a bargain for someone of his proven ability. I bet the Yankees would have paid him close to double that. Nice to see someone sign an extension just because he likes to play somewhere.
Yeah, if he plays up to his ability in his age 37 and 38 seasons. I realize he’s missed nearly 3 full seasons, but what are his chances of beating father time? If he does- great deal. If not, you’re spending 10.5 mil [a year] that could have gone to Mr. Pujols.
An ace? He’s a number 2, let’s be honest
True. I’d take him as a number 3 even…I just wanted to see him around for another year or two to possibly mentor Shelby Miller and Carlos Martinez. His days of being an ace are probably over, but his experience will benefit this team for sure.
Well sure, but Wainwright will be back as the ace next season.
Much love Carpenter. Glad to see you aren’t going anywhere.
I haven’t seen this much love for a carpenter since JC. Hope this one doesn’t get crucified over the next couple of years.
Bob Seger’s version of “If I Were A Carpenter”
smokin’ hottest ever!
Cool. So why’d they trade their best hitting prospect in 10 years for E-Jack again?
I have not heard one person say they miss him…… John Jay is a better offensively & defensively. The numbers don’t lie.
True point, Rasmus is a headcase but a headcase with significant potential. If he matures, you know like players in their mid twenties do you got an all-star on your hand.
In all reality the likelihood he would have found his way under La Russa were probably zero so it’s probably a good trade.
lol love it.
Colby Rasmus, 2nd season.. OPS+ 133 age 23
Jon Jay, 2nd season…………OPS+ 122 age 26
Rasmus was better at a younger age.
What has Rasmus done for Toronto this year?
Put up poor numbers in a very small sample size, and then got hurt. This year isn’t the point, though. The point is that in 3-5 years when you look back at their production, Rasmus should come out (way, imo) ahead.
You forget that we also get Rzepczinski for 3 more years and a likely option to be picked up on Dotel. Also keep in mind that Rasmus is arbitration elgible next year (Jay is not), which gives us more money to keep Pujols.
Rzepcynski might be the only jewel in that trade for the Cardinals. Dotel is an aged reliever, and generally, relievers in their late 30s tend to fall off a cliff pretty quick, and besides, he’s at best helpful to us for a couple more years before he’ll be retired. Rasmus would have been with us for quite a few years, and would have likely improved. There are reasons this guy was a top 10 prospect.
Even if you prefer to see Jon Jay playing CF for us (which, if you notice, he hasn’t done quite as frequently as you would’ve thought if he’s the real savior), we still should’ve been able to get more than a rental starter pitcher and reliever along with a young lefty reliever who MIGHT turn into a bottom of the rotation starter.
Thats what STL thought too… just you wait. He will be a flop
wow 92 plate appearances.. he should just quit baseball all together right?
what a joke. Rasmus’ potential alone is worth more then Jon Jay ever will.
Hopefully Jay never struggles for an extended period, as I’m sure you will quickly change your tune on him as well right? or let me guess, you never liked Rasmus right? ha
Jay has already struggled for mulitiple extended periods……..I don’t know what St. Louis’ love fest is with this guy. We will be lucky if he is an average centerfielder until Taveras is ready.
I expected 20 million but I was close
I heard that their is a possiblity of putting Carp in the bullpin at some point. Maybe after this contract is up he will stick around for a much cheaper salary and set up or even close
…or put his bullpin skills to good use as a matador, entertaining the crowd during one of LaRussas many pitching changes
Yes! Thank you for that.
Ha ha, you are right about that. Im praying for the headline “LaRussa Retires”
That old man is so confused and senile.
Although if he did a one year deal and we worked on Maddon the following year that would work for me.
I have a hunch that after this contract extension is up, we may well be seeing Carp staying on…as pitchiing coach. A lot depends on what Dave Duncan decides to do when (or even IF) he returns following his present extended leave of absence. This decision would undoubtedly impact Tony LaRussa’s future plans as well…as he and Duncan in many ways are joined at the brain. Meanwhile, as we battle back with our longest winning streak of the season, a season of injuries and setbacks, I’m thinking that following Carp’s signing, what a magnificent thing it would be if Albert decides that now, while we’re battling for the post season and closing well under any yardstick’s measurement…that NOW is the time to set aside his stipulation of no talks…and signs to be a Cardinal for life! What an incredible boost that would be for a team that’s already playing its best baseball of the season!
…and Berkman and Furcal will be the first two in line to re-up as well!
pass that doobie bogart you must have had enough if you think all that is going to happen.
I disagree about Rasmus. His defense was bad and seems unwilling to listen to anyone other than his dad. Even if he turns out to be an above average lifetime player, you don’t want those guys on your team. He may better suited as a 4th outfielder/DH in the AL.
I am sure he becomes more than a 4th outfielder. He hit 23 bombs last year. Even though he might never reach his potential, he is likely going to be a 25 homer guy with a .255ish batting average. Steals probably around 20 as well. He is extremely streaky however. And there is no way he becomes a DH. He has plus speed, and his route running will surely improve.