The Dodgers are Interested in Mark Mulder
According to BIll Shaikin of the LA Times, the Dodgers are interested in signing veteran lefty starting pitcher Mark Mulder. Shaikin writes, "Mark Mulder is working out and, according to agent Gregg Clifton, could sign in one week and throw 100 pitches in a major league game in another two weeks. The Dodgers, with one starter on the disabled list, are among the "six to eight" teams interested, Clifton said".
Mulder was 81-42 with a 3.92 ERA in his first five years in the MLB with the A's (2000-2004). After being traded to the Cardinals for Dan Haren, Kiko Calero, and Daric Barton (ouch) Mulder had a great 2005 season, going 16-8 with a 3.64 ERA in 205 innings. Still, he raised red flags because he had cut his K/BB ratio in half from his last year with the A's. Since 2005, Mulder has only thrown 105 innings because of injury, and only 12.2 innings the past two years.
via mlb.mlb.com
Here are the various injuries that have plagued Mulder over the last three years:
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- Left shoulder impingement (6/06)
- Left shoulder surgery (8/06)
- Left shoulder surgery recovery (07)
- Left rotator surgery recovery (3/08)
- Left shoulder strain (7/08)
It's too bad he doesn't throw right-handed. Also note that in the few innings he has thrown he has managed a miserable 7.72 ERA. On top of that, in 26.1 innings in AAA over the same timespan he had a disastrous 10.25 ERA! I'm not sure even Guillermo Mota is bad enough to lose a roster spot to this guy.
That said, taking a flier on him couldn't hurt provided it doesn't hinder the development of anyone of any value. We're talking about a minor league deal at best. One encouraging sign is his improving velocity. His last year in Oakland his average fastball velocity was 89.3 MPH. In 2005 it went down to 87.9, and in 2006 when he initially got hurt it was all the way down to 85.6. In 2007 it was up to 87.5 and then last year it was all the way up to 89.9, albeit with a 1.2 inning sample size.
Longshot comebacks like Mulder's are always fun to root for and there is a chance, however small, that he can find some of his old form. Just don't count on it.
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24 comments
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Comments
Dodger Reclamation Projects
the Dodgers have a good track record with these oft injured arms ….
so good in fact that they signed one as a free agent to a ridiculous salary a few years ago even when they knew that he was hurt.
by shooterm1 on Apr 23, 2009 7:04 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Nice
Hopefully that won’t be the case this time.
by Brendan Scolari on Apr 23, 2009 10:37 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know they're different positions, but
I’d rather see the X-Man than Mulder teaming up with Scully.
by Eric Stephen on Apr 23, 2009 7:23 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I don't think their fates will be related though.
If they are, Paul should definitely be a priority over Mulder.
by Brendan Scolari on Apr 23, 2009 10:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Are you too young to have seen the X-Files?
I was just making a joke :)
by Eric Stephen on Apr 23, 2009 10:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow
I’m an idiot…. Well, we do have an X-Man on our team! :-)
But no, I’ve never really seen the X-Files. Maybe a couple of minutes a time or two but that’s it.
by Brendan Scolari on Apr 23, 2009 10:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Timing issue
Presumably Mulder is available to pitch soon (grain of salt) whereas Sheets is out longer. Also it wouldn’t be prudent to sign Sheets before the draft becuase the Dodgers would have to give up their 2nd rounder to Milwaukee.
by Eric Stephen on Apr 23, 2009 8:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
less risky
than Pedro? If all we’re going to get from either is his “B” at best, I think I’d trust Pedro’s guile over Mulder’s.
by ishXdavid on Apr 23, 2009 9:16 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Pedro wants $5 million though
Mulder would presumably sign for the minimum.
by Brendan Scolari on Apr 23, 2009 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's Too Bad He Doesn't Throw Rght Handed
Hilarious!
This guy looks better than Weaver?
by 68elcamino427 on Apr 23, 2009 10:07 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Maybe
Weaver looks pretty darn bad.
by Brendan Scolari on Apr 23, 2009 10:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Another grizzled veteran
Paul Byrd could sign with some team soon. At least he’s been able to pitch.
by Brendan Scolari on Apr 23, 2009 10:41 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
ESPN Rumor of the day
And it has to do with the topic at hand.
Cliff Lee is apparently available. Any interest on this board? If so, what sort of package would you send?
by mwhite06 on Apr 23, 2009 11:30 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Trade Russell
"Chemistry is a class you take in high school or college, where you figure out two plus two is 10, or something."
- Dennis Rodman
by Shifty1 on Apr 23, 2009 2:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Flagged for Inappropriate Content
Blasphemy!
Just leave Heidi Androl alone!
by DodgerBlueBalls on Apr 23, 2009 2:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Who replaces him next year
AJ Ellis?
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA.
by silverwidow on Apr 23, 2009 2:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just want to add
I love that pitcher of Mulder.
by Eric Stephen on Apr 23, 2009 3:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
a part of him looks like the Michelin man. Is there really an arm underneath all that?
by meercatjohn on Apr 23, 2009 4:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know it's sweet.
He a bionic man.
by Brendan Scolari on Apr 23, 2009 5:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Damn
I missed X-Files talk. And the band X talk. Sheesh.
Bow down to his Royal Thighness.
by the big grabowski on Apr 24, 2009 12:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

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