Cards sign Carpenter to five-year extension
December 4th, 2006
Chris Carpenter will be wearing the birds on the bat through at least 2011, after he and the Cardinals agreed to a five-year extension.
Way to go, Walt.
13 Responses to “Cards sign Carpenter to five-year extension”
The signing of Carp long-term couldn’t be better.
The timing of it couldn’t be worse.
The Cardinals need 2, count ‘em “2″, more starting pitchers. The likelihood of the Redbirds signing free agents in this off season is great.
With this signing of Carpenter on day one of the winter meetings, aren’t the Cardinals driving up the going rate for free-agent pitchers….the same market that they are going to have to rely on and shop within?
Gotta love “The Carp”…..but I’m not loving the timing of this particular move. Doesn’t add up to me.
How is it bad?
This signing has no impact on the 07-08 payroll other than making the incentives and option guaranteed. Carpenter’s ‘07 and ‘08 salary remains the same. They have just as much money to spend now as they did before they signed him.
If anything, it creates a ceiling for the market. If Carpenter commands an average around $16MM in the last three years of the deal, then other clubs aren’t going to spend that much on someone of lesser value.
Also, there was talk that it might not go over so well if the Cardinals signed a #2 or #3 starter who had a higher annual salary than their ace. The extension addresses that issue and allows the Cardinals to make a move on someone like Jason Schmidt if they choose to do so.
I don’t see anything wrong with this one. It’s all gravy, baby.
I think that’s wishful thinking Chris.
First, there are always clubs that will be trend setters when it comes to salaries. We know the Cards are never one of them.
The other thing is: why do this now? The economics of the game are entirely out of whack. They could wait at least another year before signing him long term, and he has had some serious injuries in the past.
There’s no denying his quality. I just think it’s odd that you re-up with a player who is under contract for 2 more full seasons.
Yeah, I posted that before I heard that Padilla got 3/$34MM. I agree that the conventional thing would have been to wait until his option year. If he ever gets hurt, this turns into an albatross pretty quickly.
I still think it’s a good move relative to this year, as it doesn’t affect their ability to deal this year or next. Tony seemed to think that this was going to mess up the Cards’ plans for this year, so that’s what I was trying to get at.
Risky? Sure. But I suppose if the team is going to take a risk and throw a lot of money at someone, I don’t mind that it’s a guy like Carp.
What’s risky to me is these teams signing mediocre pitchers like Ted Lily, Jeff Suppan and Adam Eaton to monstrous contracts.
Given the current climate, I think it’s wise to lock up a pitcher who’s proven to be an ace.
Again, my only concern is this….
What does signing OUR ace to an extension (on the very first day of winter meetings, @ $13M per when he’s already under contract) do to the market of Carp-esque pitchers…some of whom we should be going after?
Overall I would say it is wise. But Tim– he was locked up. And if he gets hurt that’s a major chunk of salary that would likely preclude the Cards from doing something else. With one year left I understand..but with 2?
Zoner says, “If he gets hurt…” Why the pessimism? Why do you have to focus on the negative possibilities? Are you one of those half glass empty guys?
Oh, forgive me, I forgot, you’re a Cubs fan. Now it makes sense.
Maybe because he has an injury history… not an outlandish claim to make about a guy who missed a whole year.
Pessimism….hmm. To read more comments about pessimism, simply dial back through the timellsworth archives to say, October, and read all the wonderful things you guys had to say about your Cardinals then.
Example:
3) One stud hitter (Pujols) and one stud pitcher (Carpenter) a World Series will not win. If they limp into the playoffs, expect an early exit. The Cards just don’t have the horses.
Brett M. 9/27/06
You the man, Zoner! That’s why I love to rib you! I know you can take and dish it out right back at me. And boy did you!
You totally got me. And I needed a good laugh! I hope you got as much joy cutting and pasting that as I did reading it. Thanks! Guilty as charged!!!
If Ted Lilly, he of .500 career record, can get 4 years $40 million—I have no problem signing Carpenter to this contract. It is def. a sellers market for pitching.
I just had to give some back Brett. I’m a Cubs fan on a Cardinals site.
Speaking of Lilly, apparently the Cubs are willing to pay whatever it takes to get him. More Hot Stoveage at my site…
Looper as a starter? I have got to start throwing again…