My Darling Clement-ine

(Surely I won't be the only one to use that one.)

As you know, the Cardinals signed Matt Clement yesterday to fill up the rotation. More about the contract is available now, so let's take a look at those terms:

the Cardinals acquired Clement for $1.5 million in base pay and $5.25 million in appearance incentives. The deal also includes a club option for $8.75 million next season. A series of escalators based on innings pitched could jack up the option's value to $10 million if the 33-year-old righthander works 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.

If Clement stays healthy and pitches well enough to hit those innings marks, even at the higher salary that option gets picked up. And just think about this one:

The option would become $11 million and the buyout $2 million if Clement finishes in the top five in 2008 Cy Young Award balloting.

The potential that Clement brings to the table will be big for the Cardinals. There are still a lot of ifs in the pitching staff, but if all of the players in the mix pitch to their potential or close to it, the Cardinals might be a little more competitive than we thought just a few days ago.

It also means that Anthony Reyes may get shopped. I'd hate to see that happen, but if the Cardinals could get a good young hitter for him, it'd probably be the best for all concerned.

4 Comments

4 Comments | Leave a comment

Deaner | January 4, 2008 9:27 AM | Reply

Nice! I made a reference to Prior and Reyes in my post today too.

Mike M. | January 4, 2008 11:52 AM | Reply

Assuming they shop Reyes, who will hold down the #5 spot in the rotation until Mulder returns in May? Have they willed that spot to Thompson, or is there someone else (Wellemeyer?) in the mix?

cardinal70 | January 4, 2008 12:02 PM | Reply

I believe that I read that, with the way the schedule is, the Cards can get by on a four-man rotation until Mulder gets back. If they shopped Reyes and needed a #5, I'm sure Thompson or Wellemeyer could get a spot start, or one of TLR's infamous bullpen games.

Looking at April, though, it looks to me that, given regular use of the pitchers, the Cards would need a #5 four times in April, so I don't know why the PD story included that bit about the four man. I guess you could use it since the starters would probably not go as deep into games, but that's a pretty big gamble.

Still, if you can get something quality for Reyes (or, for that matter, Looper), I think you do it and worry about the five spot later.

tom@cardinalsgm.com | January 4, 2008 5:36 PM | Reply

Good signing.

Contract was workable and could prove to be a boon later on.

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