Carpenter Signed through 2011, op. 2012 (Matthew Leach)

[JCShutout]

Note that the big money does not kick in until Izzy and Edmonds are off the books (so that's like $17 million between those two alone).

Yes, but we will no longer be spending Jimmy and Izzy money on other players.

Again, I don't hate the deal, but I would have preferred something around 11-12/per over the last 3 years (instead of 16), especially since Carp has talked about how he doesn't really care what the Cards pay him, as long as its competative.

EDIT: I love teh Carp, I'm just worried about injuries.

[Cronos]

Kyle, were I Walt, I'd have signed him for maybe a year less with 2011 being the option year given his arm history, yes.

but, to echo others: he's more than earned his pay-day and that's still a bargain price for one of if not the premier pitcher in the National League and a fan favorite.

[skmsw]

Wow, I have mixed feelings about this.

Absolutely no one has been more of a supporter and fan than me. I've been on his bandwagon since the day we signed him, and on that day I knew he'd be out at least 9 months.

The way the market is moving, Carp getting some $16mm in 2009 is going to be the future equivalent of about $11.5mm today. And who would argue that Carp is, in any given season, well worth $11.5mm?

But gee -- Carp is gonna be 32 shortly after opening day this year. He's gonna be 34 the day this extension first kicks in. He's gonna be getting some 12% of our budget, when he is 38.

[Fat Strat]

Yes, a 3 yr contract extension at 16 mil TWO YEARS FROM NOW..

16 mil a year for a premier pitcher, the way the market has continued to take an upturn in the past few years, might look like the steal of the century in 2 years...

16 mil per year now seems high, 16 mil per year in 2 years might not seem nearly as high

I don't disagree with that at all.

I'm just not a big fan of extending pitchers that are already under control for two years.

But, Carp could have been looking at $20 million as a FA in '09. Like I've tried to say in this fast moving thread, the contract looks great if Carp stays healthy.

[BW23]

What has Carp gotten over the last 3 seasons? Like, $8M total?

This is as much a reward of what he's done as to what he will do.

As for paying others when Edmonds and Izzy are gone, the possibility of those positions being filled by guys making the minimum are very high.

[vinsanity]

Is it possible WJ maybe did this now in hopes of stabilizing the value of pitchers?

Maybe people will look at this extension and say, 'Why are we going to give Vicente Padilla this much money?'

Is it possible this contract will drive it down a little?

[Bo Hart]

Again, I don't hate the deal, but I would have preferred something around 11-12/per over the last 3 years (instead of 16), especially since Carp has talked about how he doesn't really care what the Cards pay him, as long as its competative.

He's $11 / $12 really competitive?

In 2009, Jeff Suppan, Vicente Padilla and Ted Lilly-esque pitchers will be getting that money.

Carp gave us a few years of being severely underpaid. I think we should be grateful for that and move on. He's giving us a discount, there's really no doubt about that.

Zito could very well get $17 a year in the contract he gets...

Even on this market, he would be underpaid... it will be even a bigger discrepancy down the line.

[Fat Strat]

What has Carp gotten over the last 3 seasons? Like, $8M total?

This is as much a reward of what he's done as to what he will do.

As for paying others when Edmonds and Izzy are gone, the possibility of those positions being filled by guys making the minimum are very high.

They absolutley are! We're going to have some money to spend in the years to come, and Walt continues his philosophy of keeping the uber-talented nucleus intact.

[JCShutout]

What has Carp gotten over the last 3 seasons? Like, $8M total?

This is as much a reward of what he's done as to what he will do.

As for paying others when Edmonds and Izzy are gone, the possibility of those positions being filled by guys making the minimum are very high.

Yeah, and like FS, I'm worried about health. Heck, I'm worried about all of our big contracts except for Albert, who can put up MVP numbers even when he can't run on his feet.

I worry about Rolen's durability, but come to think of it, what would Rolen make in this market?

[Bo Hart]

I worry about Rolen's durability, but come to think of it, what would Rolen make in this market?

In hindsight, Pujols and Rolen are bargains.

I think we could very well be saying the same about Carp down the line.