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Matt Clement and the St. Louis Cardinals agreed to a $1.5 million, one-year contract on Thursday with a club option for 2009.
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Clement gets a $1.25 million salary this year and can earn an additional $5.25 million in performance bonuses, receiving the full amount if he pitches 200 innings.
The Cardinals have an $8.75 million option for 2009 with a $250,000 buyout. The option would increase to $9 million and the buyout $500,000 if Clement reaches 160 innings this season; $9.5 million and $1 million for 180 innings; and $10 million and $1.5 million for 200 innings.
The option would become $11 million and the buyout $2 million if Clement finishes in the top five in 2008 Cy Young Award balloting.
I had kind of hoped this was the guy the Reds would sign. He’s no world beater, but if healthy, could be an effective #3 and this seems like a very reasonable contract to me.
Clement was a good ground ball pitcher, which the Reds definitely need for GABP.
I really like the contract. Small base with lots of incentives for inning-eating. So, who’s left? Lieber? Jennings? Mays?…
I was hoping they would get this guy, too. Makes it worse that he was signed within the division. And this is another guy that played for Dusty who signed somewhere else (though we don’t know if Krivsky even pursued him.) If he never plays another game, it’s only a $1.5 million, one year gamble. We’re paying Mike Stanton more than that (a year for two years.)
As a whole, the Cardinals rotation is Clement, Adam Wainwright, Braden Looper, Joel Pineiro and Anthony Reyes. Mark Mulder could be ready as early as May 1, and Chris Carpenter is out until at least July.
I’m sure Krivsky has been trying to get something done for the rotation, but the fact that he hasn’t gotten anything done burns me up.
John, what is Edinson Volquez if Krivsky hasn’t done something for the rotation?
As for a FA I would like to see, I would take a look at Bartolo Colon. He was bringing the heat still last year (95 MPH was his average FB). Its at least worth looking into what he is asking.
Everything I read about Colon says his medical records are a disaster and he’s pretty hell bent on getting 2 years guaranteed, which I think would be a mistake.
Last I heard on MLB Traderumors.com is that Colon has not even been able to hit 90 on the gun in the Winter leagues. That does not sound like someone we need. I personally hope for Livan Hernandez. I still have hope that maybe we can get Blanton or Lowry or one of the other Giants pitchers.
Edinson Volquez is a guy the Rangers gave up on. I’m skeptical to say the least. If they’re handing Volquez a rotation spot, that’s news to me.
Interview with Matt Clement after signing with the Cardinals.