Cardinals Re-Sign Jake Westbrook

[kimchi_chigae]

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A source close to the negotiations has confirmed the terms of Jake Westbrook's new contract with the Cardinals.

Westbrook will receive $16.5 million guaranteed -- $8 million in 2011 and $8.5 million in 2012. Following that, he has a mutual option.

After the 2012 season, Westbrook has the right to opt out of the deal. If he does so, he's a free agent with no additional money coming his way -- so it is possible that the bare minimum he will receive on the deal is $16.5 million.

If he does NOT opt out, the option then goes to the Cardinals. They can exercise his 2013 option at a value of $8.5 million, or buy the option out for $1 million. So he would receive $17.5 million total if the club buys out the option, and $25 million total if the third year is exercised.

Additionally, Westbrook received blanket no-trade protection. There are no incentive clauses in the deal.

--Matthew Leach

Looks like a good signing to me. He was decent for them in the second half last year.

[dAnzac]

Additionally, Westbrook received blanket no-trade protection.

Looks like a good signing to me. He was decent for them in the second half last year.

That one clause makes this a crappy deal.
No need to give that to a pitcher who puts up dicey 4s and 5s K/9.
This could turn out to be a $17mil pie in the face.

[RAmst23]

There's not a lot in the free agent market for pitchers, but this does seem like a lot. This deal isn't a back breaker by any means as it's only for two years, however, Westbrook isn't that far removed from injury. In 2008 he only pitcher 34 innings and then threw none in 2009 at the major league level. Yes he rebounded in 2010 but now he's 33 years old.

Hopefully Westbrook can stay at the ~200 IP level for the next couple years.