The St. Louis Cardinals and starting pitcher Chris Carpenter have agreed on a two-year contract extension worth about $21 million, according to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The contract doesn't have any options or appearance incentives.
"The extension rolls the clubs $15 million option on Carpenter for 2012 into a longer structure that allows the club about $4 million in annual savings over Carpenters salary for this season. Carpenter, 37, may now realize his desire to finish his career with the same club that acquired him in December 2002 after the Toronto Blue Jays removed him from their 40-man roster."
Carpenter, 36, was entering his final guaranteed year of his contract. He is currently posting a 3.75 ERA, but a strong 7.2 K/9 and 2.2 BB/9 gives him a 3.13 FIP and 3.40 xFIP, respectfully.
The extension gives the Cardinals a 2012 rotation of Adam Wainwright (Cardinals likely to pick up option), Chris Carpenter, Jaime Garcia, Jake Westbrook, and Kyle Lohse.