(Photo Credit: Kathy Willens, Associated Press)
The Cardinals are going to exercise the 2016 team option of left-handed starting pitcher Jaime Garcia for $11 million instead of buying him out for $500k.
Garcia started 20 games for the first time since starting 20 in 2012. He pitched to a 10-6 record, with a 2.43 ERA, in 129 2/3 innings pitched. When healthy, over his seven-year big league career, he has posted a 52-32 record, along with a 3.31 ERA, in 724 1/3 innings pitched over 126 appearances (in 117 starts).
Most figured this move was coming after Mozeliak made this comment in October: “You think back to Garcia, and the impact that he made on our roster was extremely positive. If we were having this conversation in February, I don’t think any of us would have thought he was going to contribute, especially the way he did.”
As of right now, it seems that the Cardinals have their rotation set for next season: Wainwright, Wacha, Martinez, Garcia, and Lynn. They also have Marco Gonzales and top prospect Alex Reyes not far off.
Garcia will again basically be in a ‘contract year’ as his contract has a second option for 2017 that the Cardinals can pick up for $12 million or buy him out for $500k.
