Clement

[Pogotheostrich]

No details ...

Except that Cardinals gave Clement a major-league contract.

Just a rumor right now but we'll see what happens.

EDIT: Sounds like it is done. Here's the link.

[StlSluggers]

The deal includes a club option for 2009.
...
The contract includes significant incentives for appearances.

I love it.

[mrkrab2003]

have the cards really fallen this low! I love it!

[Pogotheostrich]

Clement gets a $1.25 million salary this year and can earn an additional $5.25 million in performance bonuses, receiving the full amount if he pitches 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.

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

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3179942

Doesn't seem too bad of a deal to me.

[StlSluggers]

Yeah, I like it. There's zero obligation on the team's part if he falls on his face, and he's rewarded if he performs.

Seems like a win-win situation.

[j_d_mcnugent]

i like it, i just the lament the fact that there arent that many solid reliable options for the rotation. wainwright is at the top of the list, but hit a career high in innings pitched. looper was up and down last year and also is coming off a massive increase in innings pitched. pineiro was solid for the cards but ugly elsewhere. reyes was erratic. thompson was mediocre. wellemeyer used 100 pitches to get through 4 innings. mulder is a huge question mark. carp is a question mark. clement is a question mark. i like his potential. i was a little disappointed the cards didnt sign him the last time he was a FA. still, he is a question mark in a rotation full of question marks. i guess there wasnt much else that could be done. there is no way i'd spend 4/48 on carlos silva.

[Pogotheostrich]

Not very encouraging news about Clement.

In all honesty, I will be surprised if he's ready for opening day," Duncan said. "And I'm not too sure even if he is ready, we wouldn't likely have him compete somewhere else just to get him in the swing of things. … He's behind. How far? Don't know yet."

The concern for his arm strength does not signal a setback in his physical condition, but a change in his rehab schedule. Instead of throwing bullpen sessions every other day, he will sub in a long-toss day. He'll throw one Thursday, take the mound Saturday, and then long-toss Monday. The Cardinals plan to re-evaluate him after a week.

link

[StlSluggers]

Bah.

Albert, schedule your surgery now, please.