Ray Mileur
January 17, 2005
Marquis agrees to 1 yr deal
Right-hander avoids arbitration with one-year deal
By Ray Mileur
Jason Marquis, coming off a career-best 15 victories, agreed Monday to a $3 million, one-year contract.
Marquis, 26, was 15-7 with a 3.71 ERA last year. He had entered last season with 14 career victories and won none in 2003, when he spent a major portion of the year at Triple-A Richmond in the Braves' system.
Marquis won 11 straight decisions from May 31-Sept. 4, the longest streak by a Cardinals pitcher since John Tudor also won 11 in a row in 1985.
He was the No. 2 groundball-getter in the National League with a 2.17/1 ground out/fly out ratio, taking advantage of the Gold Glove defense behind him.
Marquis struggle in September and October pitching in over 200 innings in 2004, seem to wear him down. In his final 10 games he was 3-3 with a 4.00 ERA
The contract includes $25,000 bonuses if Marquis pitches 200 and 205 innings and $50,000 each for 210, 215 and 220 innings. Making his contract worth a possible $3.2 million this season.
Once again Cardinals General Manager Walt Jocketty is able to get another deal done before arbitration.
The move leaves St. Louis with only Rick Ankiel as an arbitration-eligible player.
