On The Block:  Mark Mulder

Why He’s On The Block: Mulder is in the final year of the contract extension he signed with Oakland.  Attempts by the Cardinals to make another extension went nowhere, so Mulder is taking a “wait and see” approach, refusing to discuss an extension until the end of the season.  At that point, Mulder is so close to free agency that he’ll probably entertain other offers.  But the Cardinals, who are rather stingy with their currency, and have so many large contracts on the books, might not decide to give Mulder his big money deal.   Thanks to the aftermath of AJ Burnett's five-year, $55 million deal, Mulder is likely to receive a much larger offer in free agency, especially since he has twice the amounts of Burnett’s wins and the same amount of losses. 

Negotiable:  No.  The Cardinals aren’t in a hurry to shop Mulder.  But if they receive a good package of players, they could make a deal.  Such a package would probably have to consist of two young starting pitchers, a third base or outfield prospect, and possibly another, lesser position prospect.

What He Offers: While it’s true Mulder is less dominant than he was in his best years with the A's. he was at the end of last season 98-50 lifetime with a 3.86 ERA. 

·          Plus:  Multiple pitch pitcher.

·          Plus:  Fields his position well.

·          Plus:  Extremely young for a free agent.

·          Plus:  Excellent hitter.  Good for a National League team.

·          Minus:  Sinkerball pitcher.  Requires a good infield defense team.

·          Minus:  Has declining strikeout rates for the past three years. 

·          Minus: An expensive player.

He Stay Or Will He Go:  50%-50% on him staying in St. Louis this season, about 70% - 30% on him bolt elsewhere next year.  So let’s see where he could end up.

·          Boston Red Sox – 40%.   Now here’s a pitcher that Boston would go after.  Mulder, despite some injury troubles now and then, would thrive in Boston.  The Boston infield defense is pretty good and he would benefit from pitching in Fenway.  The Red Sox, needing another pitcher in the rotation soon, as Curt Schilling has stated that 2007 will be his final season.  With a rotation headed by Beckett, followed by Papelbon, Mulder, and others would be a force to deal with in the American League East.  The Red Sox likely won’t trade for Mulder and will probably make a rush at him during the 2007 off-season.

·          New York Yankees – 35%.   The Yankees are more likely to go after Barry Zito at this point, but could possibly make a run at Mulder if they happen to lose the bidding for his services.  Mulder isn’t as good of a fit for the Yankees as is Zito, but he would be able to make it work.  Again, the Yankees would only chase after him if Mulder hits free agency.

·          New York Mets – 20%.  Again, adding Mulder would strengthen the rotation and Mulder would benefit from playing in the Mets’ spacious field at Shea.  However, the Mets may find themselves out of the running for Mulder thanks to Boston and New York, who are likely to get violent if New York doesn’t land Zito.  Plus, what the Mets need is another lefty in the rotation, and a much younger one than Glavine at this point.  Mulder’s really not a fit here.

·          Los Angeles Angels of Melrose Place – 5%.  Again, the Angels could use Mulder to bring another ace into the rotation, as Bartolo Colon’s health issues are likely to rear their heads again in the future.  However, the chase for Mulder will get expensive quickly, and the Angels could find themselves out of the running.