Agent Says Mulder Has Interest in Orioles
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Wednesday, November 1, 2006
BALTIMORE, Oct. 31 -- Free agent pitcher Mark Mulder, formerly of the St. Louis Cardinals and thought to be one of the premier players on the market before he had season-ending shoulder surgery in September, expressed an interest in joining the Baltimore Orioles through agent Gregg Clifton. That could be a boon for the Orioles, who are looking for a veteran pitcher to add to a young staff and who have had trouble attracting marquee players.
"One of the things Mark has really benefited from is having a good pitching coach," Clifton said Tuesday. "People don't realize the draw of Leo Mazzone. Mark is a veteran guy who at least would consider Leo as a mentor."
Mulder, 29, is 103-57 in his career with a 4.11 ERA, a number that was skewed by his injury-inflated 7.14 ERA this season. The question is when will he be ready to return.
When asked that question during the World Series, Cardinals General Manager Walt Jocketty said, "I would think June." Clifton disputes that estimate.
"They told me, worst-case situation, he'd be 100 percent in 5 1/2 months," Clifton said. "Ten to 11 months was never uttered."
Clifton's estimate puts Mulder's return right around the start of spring training.
When healthy, Mulder is one of the best left-handed pitchers in baseball. Because of his injury, it's likely he would have to sign a lesser contract.
