Cards Pick Up Option on Matheny, Not Hentgen

Mike Matheny impressed the Cardinals with his work behind the plate this season, and they have responded by picking up his contract option for next year. Matheny will make 900-thousand dollars, if he makes the team out of spring training. His contract is not guaranteed. The Cards declined the options on pitchers Pat Hentgen, Jesse Orosco and Scott Radinsky. The latter two barely pitched at all because of injury. Hentgen won 15 games, but the Cards save six-million dollars by not picking up the option.