Yardbarker: Mark Mulder

Jocketty Taking Cardinal Approach With Reds

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:39:55 -0500

According to the Columbus Dispatch, the Reds may attempt to pluck a couple of the arbitration eligibles players away from the Marlins. The Marlins have expressed a desire to stay at the same payroll and will have to trade several players to keep it there. Among those names, Josh Willingham and Jeremy Hermida, two players nearing their prime that would really help the Reds. GM Walt Jocketty has always gone after the big deal. He did it with Scott Rolen, Jim Edmonds, Mark McGuire, and Mark Mulder, but also made small moves that turned out to be more significant that the big names. Players like Edgar Renteria, Jason Marquis, and Adam Wainwright all have come over through trades to help the Cardinals achieve their goals.

There are several players around the league that are doing well, but do not have a spot on their team: Shin Soo-Choo, Mike Fontenot, Ryan Spilborghs, to name a few. Going after guys like this along with arbitration eligibles should make the Reds, already stocked with a pair of power hitters and decent pitching, to the playoffs.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Looking Ahead at the 2009 Free Agent Market!

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 20:17:46 -0500

Now with some glaring holes going into next year. The Mets will have a new ballpark but they also will have to replace some parts.

Obviously the bullpen is a mess starting with Billy Wagner.

The second base position can be resolved with a veteran and that means that Castillo will be traded for a bag of balls.

The starting rotation is also very interesting thing to look at with Oliver Perez (who is only 27)who is going to be a free agent and has Scott Boris as a agent.

The Mets will have Pedro Martinez coming off the books. As well as Moises Alou, who has been a disappointment because he never plays.

Here are the 2009 Free Agents from those positions mentioned:

Second basemen
Willie Bloomquist (31)
Geoff Blum (36) - club option for '09
Jamey Carroll (35) - $2.5MM club option for '09 with a $0.15MM buyout
Craig Counsell (38)
Ray Durham (37)
Damion Easley (39)
David Eckstein (34)
Mark Ellis (32)
Mark Grudzielanek (39)
Jerry Hairston Jr. (33)
Orlando Hudson (31)
Tadahito Iguchi (34)
Jeff Kent (41)
Felipe Lopez (29)
Mark Loretta (37)
Nick Punto (31)

Starting pitchers
Kris Benson (33)
A.J. Burnett (32) - can opt out after '08 season
Paul Byrd (38)
Roger Clemens (46)
Matt Clement (33)
Bartolo Colon (36)
Ryan Dempster (32)
Shawn Estes (36)
Josh Fogg (32)
Freddy Garcia (33)
Jon Garland (29)
Tom Glavine (43)
Mike Hampton (36)
Mark Hendrickson (35)
Livan Hernandez (34)
Orlando Hernandez (43)
Jason Jennings (30)
Randy Johnson (45)
John Lackey (30) - $9MM club option for '09 with a $0.5MM buyout
Jon Lieber (39)
Kyle Lohse (30)
Braden Looper (34)
Rodrigo Lopez (33) - club option for '09
Derek Lowe (36)
Greg Maddux (43)
Pedro Martinez (37)
Jamie Moyer (46)
Mark Mulder (31) - $11MM club option for '09 with a $1.5MM buyout
Mike Mussina (40)
Carl Pavano (33) - $13MM club option for '09 with a $1.95MM buyout
Brad Penny (31) - $8.75MM club option for '09 with a $2MM buyout
Odalis Perez (32)
Oliver Perez (27)
Andy Pettitte (37)
Sidney Ponson (32)
Mark Prior (27)
Kenny Rogers (44)
C.C. Sabathia (28)
Curt Schilling (42)
Ben Sheets (30)
John Smoltz (42)
Tim Wakefield (42) - perpetual $4MM club option
Kip Wells (32)
Randy Wolf (32)

Closers
Brian Fuentes (33)
Eric Gagne (33)
Eddie Guardado (38)
Trevor Hoffman (41)
Jason Isringhausen (36)
Todd Jones (41)
Brandon Lyon (29)
Francisco Rodriguez (27)
Salomon Torres (37) - $3.75MM club option for '09 with a $0.3MM buyout
Kerry Wood (32)

Middle relievers
Jeremy Affeldt (30)
Luis Ayala (31)
Joe Beimel (32)
Joe Borowski (38)
Doug Brocail (42) - club option for '09
Shawn Chacon (31)
Juan Cruz (30)
Alan Embree (39) - $3MM club option for '09
Scott Eyre (37)
Kyle Farnsworth (33)
Casey Fossum (31)
Keith Foulke (35)
Tom Gordon (41) - $4.5MM club option for '09 with a $1MM buyout
LaTroy Hawkins (36)
Mark Hendrickson (35)
Matt Herges (39) - club option for '09
Bob Howry (35)
Jon Lieber (39)
Jason Johnson (35)
Damaso Marte (34) - $6MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Trever Miller (36) - $2MM club option for '09 with a $0.4MM buyout
Guillermo Mota (35)
Will Ohman (31)
Darren Oliver (38)
Chan Ho Park (36)
Horacio Ramirez (29)
Al Reyes (38)
Dennys Reyes (32)
Arthur Rhodes (39)
Juan Rincon (30)
Rudy Seanez (40)
Brian Shouse (40)
Russ Springer (40)
Mike Timlin (43)
Ron Villone (39)
David Weathers (39)
Kip Wells (32)
Matt Wise (33)
Jamey Wright (34)

Free Agent Pitching is Bad! Believe it!

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:18:41 -0500

For the Orioles, the equations are simple: Mark Teixeira + Orioles = Good Big time free agent pitching + Orioles = Disaster

News and Notes: Where Will Rogers Go?

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:17:47 -0500

The Tigers have placed Kenny Rogers on waivers and hope to trade him to a contender before the September 1st deadline. However, no contender is desperate for starting pitching, so he might be hard to trade. The Mets and Yankees make some sense, but any trade is unlikely.
Braves outfielder is drawing interest from the Phillies and Red Sox. The Braves are probably more familiar with the Phillies farm system, so a trade there makes a little more sense. However, don't rule out the Red Sox out of desperation.
Blue Jays fans argue whether or not to keep GM J.P. Ricciardi. He deserves the right to finish out his contract and see his smart draft choices develop into major leaguers. They could be the surprise team in 2010, lead by prospects Travis Snider and J.P. Arenciba, both whom drafted by Ricciardi.
Giants Beat Writer Andrew Baggarly thinks the Giants should take a chance on Mark Mulder. A one year, incentive base contract could really help the Giants. Don't forget they would reunite Mulder and Zito.
The Mets, Brewers, and Cubs are all possibilities for Mike Lamb, who was designated for assignment.

MLB Punchlines: Women in Boston Rejoice

Sat, 16 Aug 2008 17:40:24 -0500

The Giants signed their first round draft pick, #5 overall, catcher Buster Posey to a $6.2 million contract. (San Fran Chronicle)

Angels SS Maicer Izturis will miss the rest of the season with an injured thumb. Erick Aybar will be his replacement. (OC Register)

Melky Cabrera -the guy who the Yanks would not give up for Santana - has been sent down to the minors. Robinson Cano is probably devastated. (NY Daily News)

Ryan Church played yesterday in A-ball and could be back towards the end of this month. (NY Post)

Is their a bigger roller coaster bullpen in MLB than the Mets? (Newsday)

Instead of baggies the new Twins' stadium will feature a huge rock! Catch Twins fever! (Star Tribune)

Brewers merchandise sales are up 30% from the same point last year. Does this mean CC could possibly re-sign with them? (Journal Sentinel)

Chris Carpenter is back on the DL joining fellow Cards pitchers Adam Wainwright and Mark Mulder. (Sun-Times)

Ladies in Boston will love this. Jason Varitek is splitting with is wife. (AJC)

Redbird Randoms...Lohse, Wainwright, Carpenter, Parisi, Mulder, Barton

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 06:56:39 -0500

Tidbits regarding the St. Louis Cardinals.

Carpenter Set To Return For Cardinals

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 01:37:26 -0500

Chris Carpenter has been penciled in to start game three against the Atlanta Braves Wednesday night according to Cardinals manager Tony La Russa.

The Media Circus

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 09:59:58 -0500

So you're relaxing at home in your suburban Green Bay bedroom, you've got a cold one by your side, getting ready to enjoy your favorite movie and right as you press play the damn phone rings. Who in the hell is calling you while you're watching your programs?

You pick it up and it's another one of those telemarketers asking you to do some stupid poll. Last time they called, they asked questions about who you were going to vote for in the 2008 presidential election. Who the hell has time for crap like that when your beer is getting warm? Right as you're getting ready to berate the jackass on the other end of the line, he tells you what he's calling about - he wants you to answer a few questions about Brett Favre. Finally.

Now before you chalk this up as just another Green Bay-people-are-obsessed-with-Favre rant from the guys at JoeSportsFan, just know that not even we could conjure up this kind of ridiculous scenario. Low and behold, some variation of it happened over 20,000 times this weekend . According to USA Today's Game On blog, every single phone number in the Green Bay White Pages was called on Sunday night asking three questions:

1.) Do you think the Packers should trade Favre?

2.) What should happen with Brett Favre?

3.) Would you feel betrayed if Favre went to another team and won a Super Bowl?

There are actual companies dedicating resources to asking Green Bay people their opinions about Brett Favre who has shockingly decided he might want to play again. For some reason, none of that is terribly surprising. Apparently, two other questions were nixed:

4.) Would you feel betrayed if Favre went to another team and threw a horrible interception to keep that team from going to the Super Bowl?

5.) Would you have Favre's children if it were physically possible?

It's official. The guy just won't go away.

Crap that actually came from somebody's mouth

"Six years ago the General Manager of the Cleveland Indians, Mark Shapiro, traded Bartolo Colon and Tim Drew to the Montreal Expos for Brandon Phillips, Grady Sizemore, Lee Stevens and Cliff Lee and have all four ever paid dividends." ? Tim McCarver

Well three of the four anyway, Tim. Turns out Lee Stevens played a grand total of 53 games and batted .222 for the Indians and hasn't played in the Major since.

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"Duncan deep in the box, he holds it on the knob." - Mike Shannon

Because of Mike Shannon, Cardinals radio broadcasts are rated PG 13.
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"More than anything, I like his body" - Joe Morgan on Ryan Braun

If only Braun threw a slide-piece, we might have to get somebody to hose down Morgan.
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"He's starter material and we have a spot in the rotation" ? Tony LaRussa on Mark Mulder

Mulder's return to "starter material" lasted exactly three batters.
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"The fact is that Brett Favre absolutely and positively is upset that he's not being wooed and wanted?he won't let go. He wants to be worshipped" ? Bob Ryan, PTI

And damnit as long as Chris Berman and Peter King are alive, he will be!

MTV Rock and Jock Proves it Still Has Some Favre Left

Last year around this time, we spent a few hundred words discussing how the once glorious mid-summer classic morphed into an oversaturated, boring commercialized sports exhibition.

This year, we have similar intentions, only for a completely different event: the MTV Rock and Jock Softball Game. Actually, we made that up, but somebody out there does have serious intentions to bring back Rock and Jock. And frankly, who could blame them?

Thanks to the miracle of technology, you can really make a difference in the lives of a few very special people by signing the "Resurrect Rock N Jock Petition".

To: Viacom, MTV
Enough is enough, people. With all this celebrity game show crap that every network is rolling out over the summer, why, Dear God why, hasn't MTV resurrected the greatest mixed celebrity and athlete competition franchise in the history of this and every other alternate universe: Rock N Jock.

The formula is simple. Take B-List stars of the moment, athletes in the offseason that want to hob-knob with celebs, mix in 1-2 A-listers, a trendy musical guest, a game of softball or basketball with modified rules and TA-DAH... you have a hit show. Honestly, MTV is running so many reality shows they could fill enough teams to necessitate a 4-team tournament by themselves. Everyone gets publicity for their latest projects in a gigantic egomaniacal circle jerk and we get the joy of watching musicians trying to hit a softball and athletes with no charisma trying to be interesting.

Boy, from the looks of that excerpt, Sean Salisbury was and still is a HUGE Rock N Jock fan. We had no idea. But seriously, we can't argue against singing that petition. Not when it could potentially bring back entertainment luminaries like Hammer, Dan Cortese, Bill Bellamy and Roger McDowell pitching in a skirt.

If only the Rock N Jock softball extravaganza would have had a red carpet special back in it's existence. There's no way it would have ceased.

Foxsports Proclaims A-Rod Not a True Mustache-Wearer

The Legacy of Billy Packer

With the news that Billy Packer has left his broadcast position alongside Jim Nantz, we thought it would only be appropriate to recall one of Packer's finest moments. It's not about a contrived controversey, a small school, or ingorantly comparing Allen Iverson to a primate. No, it's a quote that helps define the man who irritated basketball fans for years with his crusty, condescending persona.

In 2007, Packer revealed he doesn't own a computer or "tape machine" in a USA Today interview:

"Not that I know everything about basketball, but I like to go into games with some unknowns. I don't want to sit with a coach and ask him what he'll do. I like to play the game as I'm watching it... 90% of my life is spent on business, not TV".

"A lot of my ideas sound off-the-wall, but my history is pretty darn good in how things work out. People laugh at me, but CBS should hire America's most sophisticated pollsters to see how people watch the tournament. It would make the Nielsen's look so out of touch, it wouldn't even be funny. I challenge Nielsen that they're so far off, I'll put up the money and pay for the survey if I'm wrong."

To recap, Billy Packer has never been wrong - and challenges the common fan opinion that he won't be missed (even though he has a wildly original and awesome Mediaspace page).

Bob Carpenter Memorial Snappy Headline

The Bobber was thinking the same thing.

What's Making Me Talk: Walk Off Winners and Injured Pitchers

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:52:00 -0500

The Pittsburgh Pirates walk-off winner and Rich Harden's Chicago Cubs debut. Plus All-Star Musings and Mark Mulder's latest setback.

Top 7 :: Worst Trades of the Decade

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 08:10:27 -0500

With two huge deals in the National League Central this past week, the trade deadline has gotten some much earlier hype than it usually does. Both the Sabathia and the Harden trades have a possibility to become horrible for any of the teams involved?the Brewers miss the playoffs, Sabathia walks after the season, and Matt LaPorta dominates for years; Harden snaps his arm in half this Sunday. But the thing about most every trade that is made is that you really don't know how good or bad that they will turn out for, in many cases, years afterwards. Since the decade is already winding down, it is now possible to look back at the worst trades that have been made since 2000 in baseball.

7. Paul DePodesta's debacle, 2004
As a new GM and wanting to mix it up even though his team was in first, DePodesta traded Paul LoDuca, Guillermo Mota, and Juan Encarnacion to the Marlins for Hee Seop Choi and Brad Penny. The Dodgers ended up making the playoffs anyways, but this trade makes it just for its gratuitous nature and the fact that it severely pissed off the fans that loved LoDuca.

6. Cardinals/Angels, 2000
This has been covered before just because it's underrated how lucky this season was, but Kent Bottenfield won 18 games for the Cards in 1999?and no one can still explain how. The next spring, the Cards took advantage of that and an itchy Angel team to turn Bottenfield and Adam Kennedy into Jim Edmonds, who they promptly signed to a long-term deal and watched him become the greatest center fielder in club history.

5. Cubs/Pirates, 2003
Needing some extra pop for their 2003 run, the Cubs got it for many more years, getting Aramis Ramirez from the Pirates, who inexplicably still had two years left on his contract after the season. The Cubs also gained Kenny Lofton who helped immensely in their stretch run. They gave up Jose Hernandez, who left the Pirates after the year, Matt Bruback, who never has played in the majors, and a guy named Bobby, who was a part-timer for two years and hasn't played since.

4. Cardinals/A's, late 2004
In what could end up being a learning experience for the Cubs (Billy Beane calls offering a pitcher!? Don't answer the phone!), the Cardinals, needing another top starter, trade future top starter Danny Haren, good setup guy Kiko Calero, and prospect Daric Barton to the A's for Mark Mulder. To call it a disappointing trade for the Cards is quite the understatement. He played no part in the World Series that they won and may have thrown his last pitch this past Wednesday. Haren was one of the best starters in the majors just two years later, and Barton has hit the majors (though hasn't been very effective yet).

3. Mets/Devil Rays, 2004
Take your pick?Victor Zambrano or Scott Kazmir. This is similar to the Cards/A's deal, except Cards fans at least got a World Series since then and don't have to watch Kazmir consistently throw some of the nastiest pitches of the decade while playing for Tampa Bay.

2. Cubs/Marlins, late 2003
Hee Seop Choi hit .218 with 8 homers for the Cubs in 2003. The Marlins felt that was enough for them to accept him for rising star Derrek Lee, who had just played a huge part in upsetting the Cubs in the NLCS and winning the World Series. The next season, Choi made it just over half the season in Miami before being traded again, and Lee was enjoying another solid season that led into one of the best seasons anyone has had this decade.

1. Giants/Twins
Giants receive: A.J. Pierzynski
Twins receive: Boof Bonser, Francisco Liriano, and Joe Nathan

Brian Sabean must have been on crack.

The Top 7 List is written by Jason Major. He's pretty sure Boof Bonser has the best name in baseball. Email him at jason@joesportsfan.com

Mark Mulder's Career Likely Over

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:35:35 -0500

After throwing just 16 pitches before exiting last night's game, Mark Mulder's career may be over. The 30-year-old was hoping to make it through the rest of the season injury-free, but instead will go on the DL for the fifth time in his four seasons with the Cardinals...

Billy Beane: GM Genius Or Trigger Happy Fool...You Decide

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 10:25:07 -0500

Watching Mark Mulder leave after just three hitters last night reminded me of how good Oakland A's General Manager Bill Beane can look at times. Let's see, he traded... www.rawsportsblog.com

Mulder out early as Cards fall to Phils

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:36:26 -0500

Things don't look good for Mark Mulder. After 16 pitches, he as much as put himself on the bench. The Cards would use a half-dozen pitchers to complete the loss. (photo by Barbara Moore)

TOP 11 REASONS THE A'S TRADED RICH HARDEN

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:35:04 -0500

by DMtShooter, Five Tool Tool

Before we get into today's list, I'd like to ask you all to visit Hugging Harold Reynolds and vote for your old pal Shooter in this week's Iron Ref contest. Together, we can beat the World of Isaac and Soxaholix menace of non-Scrap titties and Boston-based Web comics.

I'm DMtShooter, and I approve this naked moment of self-serving wankery.

11. By losing Harden, the A's can dramatically lower their health insurance costs

10. By being very good, Harden made the tragic mistake of deserving a salary above the league minimum

9. The A's believe that the idolatry of fans owning jerseys with player names is blasphemous, and that it can only end if they always move players the fans actually know and like

8. Harden's already 26, which means that in four short years, his palms will glow red and he'll be killed

7. When you have the opportunity to get Corey Patterson's brother, you move heaven and earth

6. Matt Murton's failure to get routine at-bats in Chicago despite good offensive numbers must mean that the Cubs R Stoopid, rather than Murton's bad defensively or a clubhouse problem

5. Justin Duchscherer has more than capably filled his role as Staff Ace Who Gets Hurt And Crushes All Hope

4. With the Angels 4.5 games ahead in the division and the club 4 games out of the wildcard, it's high time to fold up the tents

3. Winning before they move into their new stadium is not in their precise and perfect plan

2. BILLY BEANE IS A GENIUS. ALL HAIL BILLY BEANE. I FEEL MUCH BETTER NOW, THANK YOU.

1. Trading a staff ace for spare parts and prospects always works out like the Mark Mulder deal, except when it works out like the Tim Hudson deal

Cards Mulder Leaves Comeback Game with Shoulder Pain

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:51:36 -0500

In his first game back after shoulder surgery that sidelined him since September, Mark Mulder left the game after throwing just 16 pitches. He will be evaluated by doctors tomorrow. Mulder has not won a game in 25 months.