I have heard of former players coming down from the broadcast booth to coach a team,
but it is very rare for a former player turned TV analyst to return to the field of play,
especially after a long lay-off.
ESPN's Mark Mulder has agreed to a minor league deal with a big league invite with the Angels. Fox Sports reports Mulder can earn more than $6MM if all incentives are
met,The deal comes with a guaranteed $1MM base salary.
Mulder, 36, hasn't pitched since 2008 because of shoulder issues, and
has been working as an analyst with ESPN since 2011. Mulder began his
comeback in Arizona in November and auditioned for the Giants,
Diamondbacks, and numerous other clubs before reaching agreement with
the Halos. In nine seasons with the Athletics and Cardinals, Mulder
owns a 4.18 ERA with 5.7 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9.
The Angels have been acquiring young starting pitching this off-season, so this move (a major roll of the dice) is uncharacteristic. Some may say it is a low risk move since it is only a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training, and most likely if Mulder doesn't make the 25 man roster he will go back into retirement. But still, his presence will take away innings from someone already in the Angels system who is trying to make the majors for the first time.
Five years without pitching is also going to be hard to overcome. Players are creatures of habit. With the salaries they have now, they train all year round to keep in the best shape possible. Spring training is not to get players "into shape," but to refine skills. Mulder has not had any competitive action for more than 5 years. That is a major hurdle on the come back trail.
It also signals to some that the quantity of starting pitching is thin. There are several starting pitchers who are still in the free agent pool. But teams are now more weary of losing a first round draft pick to sign one of them, unless they are truly ready to win right now. The Angels must question whether they can win the AL West after a disappointing 2013 campaign.
