Looper signs with Cards

[Beckett95]

ESPN

 

ST. LOUIS -- Braden Looper and the Cardinals agreed Thursday to a $13.5 million, three-year contract, giving St. Louis another newcomer in its rebuilt bullpen.

 

Looper had 28 saves in 36 chances with a 3.94 ERA for the New York Mets last season, but will be a setup man for closer Jason Isringhausen with the Cardinals. The right-hander fills a slot held the past two seasons by Julian Tavarez, who became a free agent.

 

Looper's deal calls for salaries of $3.5 million in 2006, $4.5 million in 2007 and $5.5 million in 2008. He can earn $1 million in performance bonuses, some of them based on games finished in case he becomes the closer.

 

Earlier this offseason, the Cardinals signed left-hander Ricardo Rincon to replace Ray King, who was traded to Colorado.

 

Looper was a first-round pick of the Cardinals in 1996 and pitched in four games for them in 1998 before going to the Florida Marlins after that season in a trade for shortstop Edgar Renteria. He pitched four seasons with the Marlins and the last two with the Mets.

 

a decent move for the cards. They overpayed for a guy coming of shoulder injury. He had an era of 3.94last year and has had only one good season (04). He struggled in Florida as a setupman for Alfonseca. They probaly should have tried to resign Tavarez

[CalvnHobs6]

Haha, my roommate's gonna be pissed (he's a diehard Cards fan) and we were just talking yesterday about how much he hates Looper.

But the cards are pretty depleted in their bullpen, and if Looper can not suck this year, he's a good addition. And speaking of that, another EDition of overpaid bullpen help. It's getting outta control.

[26 to 6]

I think this is a decent move for the Cards. I have no idea why on earth they would give him 3 years, but he should be decent. Just as long as they dont put him in any pressure situations he'll be good

 

...and trust me, us New Yorkers know all too well how good he can be and how good he cant be, mainly in pressure situations.

[26 to 6]

But it is nice to see the Cards making some moves to fix up the pen. And its not like theyre going out and getting the top relievers, just guys with good track records who have not been great last year or so. Looper and Ricardo Rincon could potentially be VERY rewarding for St. Louis.