With a guy like Vicente Padilla (4.50 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 156:70 K:BB ratio in 200 IP) getting over $11 million per year, why did Chris Carpenter (3.09 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 184:43 K:BB ratio in 221.2 IP, with a track record) settle for $13 million per over five years? Yes, he was signed for $7 million for 2007 and $9 million for 2009, and anything can happen injury-wise to hurt the potential for a big contract. But if Carpenter pitches well the next two years, he'd be due something $18 mil per for 5 or 6 years if he continues to pitch the way he does in the current market. This could be the equivalent of throwing $15 million down the drain (once you factor in the $10 million in raises he's getting the next couple years). I guess when you're dealing with numbers that big, it's not worth it to take the risk -- at least in Carpenter's eyes. And it does afford the team a little more flexibility to contend in the long haul.
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