Angels, Mark Mulder agree to deal

Left-handed pitcher Mark Mulder and the Los Angeles Angels have agreed to a minor league contract on Wednesday with a Major League Spring Training invite. The deal is worth $1 million in base salary, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, but can be worth up to $6 million in incentives, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. 

The Angels have been close to Mulder for some time. Nick Cafardo had previously reported that the Angels had emerged as the favorites for the pitcher. Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish reported Saturday that Mulder's decision on his next contract would "come sooner rather than later." 

Cafardo also previously reported that the Phillies, Giants, Angels, Padres, and Diamondbacks originally had scouts in attendance to watch the pitcher work out. Mulder reportedly originally asked for a Major League deal for his next contract, but many correctly speculated that he would likely settle on a minor-league deal with an invite to MLB Spring Training. 

The 36-year-old is a two-time All Star (2002, 2003) and finished second in the Cy Young award voting in 2001, when he went 21-8 with a 3.45 ERA and a 1.156 WHIP. Mulder seemed to throw his last pitch in 2008, after having rotator cuff surgery. He has a career 4.18 ERA in 9 big league seasons with the Oakland Athletics and St. Louis Cardinals.