Braden

Looper

Looper picked up his first save of the season.

Incentives in Looper’s 2003 contract pushed his salary up to $2.4 million, making the Marlins believe it will cost about $4 million to keep the arbitration-eligible reliever in 2004. The price tag will also make him tough to trade with so many quality relievers currently available.

If the Rockies are locked into Shawn Chacon in the closer’s role, they have almost no chance of landing Looper. Politte is more in their price range and would be a nice option.

Not a bad deal. Looper may not really be worth over $3 million per season, but it’s only for two years and the move means that the team’s young relief prospects will be able to settle in as middle men.

“We have been talking to the Mets, and both sides are very interested,” agent Randy Hendricks said in an e-mail message Monday. The Rockies and Rangers are also showing interest in Looper, though they’d probably want him as a setup man.

Takatsu, 34, broke Kazuhiro Sasaki’s career saves record last season. The sidearming sinkerballer is considering pitching in the United States this season, but he has a $2.4 million offer on the table from his club in Japan that isn’t likely to be matched by major league teams. He plans to make a decision by the end of the month.

Looper was pulled from the game after throwing a pitch. He was charged with one run in two-thirds of an inning.

He’s probably day-to-day. On the off chance that a DL stint is required, the Cardinals could recall Brad Thompson or Josh Kinney.

Looper left Tuesday’s game due to back spasms.

It was Looper’s injury that forced the Cardinals to recall Brad Thompson prior to Wednesday’s game.