Report: Cards won't pick up option on Mulder
Sports Network | October 21, 2008
St. Louis, MO (Sports Network) - The St. Louis Cardinals have reportedly declined to exercise the 2009 option on left-hander Mark Mulder's contract, ending the oft-injured hurler's tenure with the club.
The club had until November 15 to notify Mulder of its intention on the $11 million option, and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch cited Mulder's agent as saying he received notice that the Cardinals will pay the $1.5 million buyout.
Following an injury-shortened 2006 season which saw the southpaw go 6-7 with a 7.14 ERA in 17 starts for the World Series champions, Mulder inked a two-year, $13 million contract which included an option for next season.
However, chronic shoulder injuries, which included rotator cuff problems, limited the 31-year-old to six games (four starts) over the last two campaigns, and the one-time 20-game winner failed to earn a victory over that span.
After two rehab assignments early this past season, Mulder made his only start of the year on July 9 against Philadelphia, but lasted only 1 2/3 innings before departing. He has not thrown a pitch since.
Over the last four seasons with the Cards, Mulder was 22-18 in 53 starts with three complete games and a pair of shutouts. His last full season was 2005, his first with St. Louis, which produced a record of 16-8 with a 3.64 ERA in 32 starts.
For his nine-year career, the Indiana native has posted a 103-60 mark with a 4.18 ERA in 205 appearances (203 starts) with the Athletics and Cardinals.
New FanShot
