Albert Pujols pending contract negotiations and his recent announcement of a spring training deadline to get a long-term extension finalized has received much of the publicity this off-season.
Chris Carpenter understands that.
"Obviously, Albert is the face of this organization and the face of this city," Carpenter said. "He's the best player in baseball. You're talking about huge dollars and huge commitments."
What many have forgotten that Chris Carpenter's contract provides the likelihood that Carpenter himself can become a free agent after the 2011 season as well.
The 35 year old right-hander was 16-9 with a 3.22 ERA in 2010.
Not only does Carpenter serve the pitching staff as a valuable ace-in-the-hole, but he is often the mentor of other pitchers, including now staff-ace Adam Wainwright.
Carpenter is plenty popular in the locker room among his peers and somebody that manager Tony LaRussa can turn to in a big game at any time.
So, are the Cardinals also working with Carpenter, who made $15.8 million in 2010, on a long term contract extension?
"It's been brought up, talked about," Carpenter said. "But I have no concerns, I have no extra pressure. If they want to keep me, they can keep me. If they don't, I guess I'll have to get another place to play."
If the Cardinals fail to secure Pujols to a long-term contract, fans should prepare for life without both Pujols and Carpenter as I find it highly unlikely that the team would pay $15 million to a 36 year old, injury prone starting pitcher.
Note to John Mozeliak. Get to work.
Chris Carpenter understands that.
"Obviously, Albert is the face of this organization and the face of this city," Carpenter said. "He's the best player in baseball. You're talking about huge dollars and huge commitments."
What many have forgotten that Chris Carpenter's contract provides the likelihood that Carpenter himself can become a free agent after the 2011 season as well.
The 35 year old right-hander was 16-9 with a 3.22 ERA in 2010.
Not only does Carpenter serve the pitching staff as a valuable ace-in-the-hole, but he is often the mentor of other pitchers, including now staff-ace Adam Wainwright.
Carpenter is plenty popular in the locker room among his peers and somebody that manager Tony LaRussa can turn to in a big game at any time.
So, are the Cardinals also working with Carpenter, who made $15.8 million in 2010, on a long term contract extension?
"It's been brought up, talked about," Carpenter said. "But I have no concerns, I have no extra pressure. If they want to keep me, they can keep me. If they don't, I guess I'll have to get another place to play."
If the Cardinals fail to secure Pujols to a long-term contract, fans should prepare for life without both Pujols and Carpenter as I find it highly unlikely that the team would pay $15 million to a 36 year old, injury prone starting pitcher.
Note to John Mozeliak. Get to work.
Comments
Post a Comment