Cardinals, Looper agree to three-year deal
By R.B. FALLSTROM, AP Sports Writer
December 15, 2005
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- 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.
AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum in New York contributed to this report.
By R.B. FALLSTROM, AP Sports Writer
December 15, 2005
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- 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.
AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum in New York contributed to this report.
