Brad Penny is a Cardinal
LidsvilleNine
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hDikUyHKtgQ_HBUefjXzM97GVaGAD9CFGFGG4
Brad Penny, Cardinals complete 1-year deal
By BEN WALKER (AP) – 2 hours ago
INDIANAPOLIS — Brad Penny and the St. Louis Cardinals completed their
deal Tuesday, giving the NL Central champions a pitcher they'd coveted
for quite some time.
A day after the sides reached a tentative agreement, Penny passed a
physical. The two-time All-Star got a one-year contract for $7.5
million, with about $1.5 million more available in performance
bonuses.
Penny went a combined 11-9 with a 4.88 ERA in 30 starts for Boston and
San Francisco last season. He recently turned down a one-year offer to
stay with the Giants.
Penny helped Florida win the 2003 World Series, although Cardinals
manager Tony La Russa already had his eye on the burly right-hander.
That season, St. Louis and the Marlins began sharing a spring training
complex in Jupiter, Fla.
"Whenever a guy faces you and you're not happy when he gets announced,
you always think, 'Boy, it would be nice to get him on your side,'" La
Russa said. "So I'm going back to the Marlin days of spring training,
that season and ever since. He's a guy that we thought would be a real
good starter for our side."
The top of St. Louis' rotation is strong with Chris Carpenter and Adam
Wainwright. But the Cardinals were facing the loss of free-agent
starters Joel Pineiro, John Smoltz and Todd Wellemeyer.
"Brad Penny has long been a pitcher of interest to us and we are
thrilled to have him," Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said in
a statement. "By teaming Brad with our Cy Young finalists Chris
Carpenter and Adam Wainwright, in addition to Kyle Lohse, we feel that
our pitching staff will continue to be a key cornerstone for the
ballclub."
The 31-year-old Penny has spent most of his career in the National
League. He was an All-Star in 2006 and 2007, winning a career-high 16
games each season.
Shoulder trouble hampered Penny in 2008. He signed a $5 million, one-
year contract with Boston last offseason, but went 7-8 with a 5.61 ERA
for the Red Sox and got released in August.
Penny signed with the Giants on Aug. 31 and went 4-1 with a 2.59 ERA
in six starts for them. He is 105-84 lifetime.
CardsFan
"LidsvilleNine" <Lidsvi...@embarqmail.com> wrote in message
news:7a388b4c-ea0f-4083...@m16g2000yqc.googlegroups.com...
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hDikUyHKtgQ_HBUefjXzM97GVaGAD9CFGFGG4
__________________
Other than the risk of injury, which is always present, Penny should be a
better Joel Piniero.
I didn't like Mozeliak's statement that Matt Holliday's decision will be
completely market-driven. That looks bad for the Cardinals.
AJM
LidsvilleNine
>
> Penny signed with the Giants on Aug. 31 and went 4-1 with a 2.59 ERA
> in six starts for them. He is 105-84 lifetime.
> __________________
>
> Other than the risk of injury, which is always present, Penny should be a
> better Joel Piniero.
>
> I didn't like Mozeliak's statement that Matt Holliday's decision will be
> completely market-driven. That looks bad for the Cardinals.
>
> AJM
At least Penny has good potential upside as well as his late-season
upswing.