The St. Louis Cardinals declined their $9.5 million mutual option for next season on starting pitcher Jake Westbrook, the team announced on Thursday.
MLB transaction roundup: Options declined for Jake Westbrook, Jason Kubel
A pair of veterans who were productive as recently as in 2012 did not have their 2014 options exercised by their respective teams.
Ezra Shaw
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Westbrook was signed through the 2013 season for $9.75 million, plus a mutual option for 2014. The Cardinals extended Westbrook for another season in August of 2012 while the veteran right-hander was in the midst of a sub-4.00 ERA campaign. The 36-year-old sinker baller faded in 2013, posting a 4.63 ERA in 116⅔ innings for the National League champions.
Westbrook has a 4.32 career ERA in 13 big-league seasons while striking out five batters per nine innings and walking fewer than three. He was selected to the American League All-Star squad in 2004 while with the Cleveland Indians.
Tribe declines Kubel’s option
Westbrook's former team declined its 2014 option on outfielder Jason Kubel, the Indians announced on Friday. Kubel will receive $1 million in buyout money from the Arizona Diamondbacks, with whom the 31-year-old veteran began the season.
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Kubel hit 30 home runs and slugged .506 for the D-Backs in 2012, but saw a steep decline in production this season, posting a .216/.293/.317 line. Kubel received only 23 plate appearances for the Indians after being acquired on Aug. 29 in exchange for Matt Langwell. Kubel finished with only three hits for the Tribe and failed to drive in a run.
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