Cardinals land fromer closer John Axford from Brewers

The St, Louis Cardinals have acquired John Axford from the Milwaukee Brewers for a player to be named later. Axford, 30, is a former closer for the Brewers. He came up for the Brewers back in 2009, and pitched in seven games, with 1 save and no blown saves. In 2010, he became the Brewers closer saving 24 games, with 3 holds, and 3 blown saves. Then in 2011, it was Axford's best season in the MLB. He had 46 saves, and two blown saves. That included with an era of 1.95. He also lead the NL in saves in 011, and won the NL Rolaids Relief Man Award (that award is given to the top relief pitchers in the AL  and NL).

In 2012, he pretty much fell apart as the Brewers closer, getting 35 saves and blowing 9 of them, with an era of 4.67. So far in 2013, Axford has been a little bit better than he was in 2012 even though all of his stats may not show it (some of them do show it though). He has 19 holds this season, even though he's blown 6 games, with an era of 4.45. Lots of his problems seem to be giving up the home run ball in Miller Park and at The Great American Ballpark. Sometimes players need a change of scenery after falling off a team. He's under team control through 2016, he's arbitration eligible. So if he doesn't do well, he could end up being non-tendered in December by the Cardinals.

If Edward Mujica needs a day off or two, Axford could get a chance to save, because he has closer experience in the MLB level. It also could end up being a nice pick up if, Mujica's arm problems are worse than thought of. Time will tell if Axford can do well on the Cardinals, I have a feeling that he can if given a chance. He also won't have Ryan Braun as a distraction.

For Axford's career his stats as of now are: 268 games played, 263.1 innings, 21 wins, 19 losses, 106 saves, 20 blown saves, a whip of 1.33, and an era of 3.35. In his postseason career, he has an era of 1.29 and has 3 saves, and 1 blown save.

He'll be in no.34 for the Cardinals starting tonight in Pittsburgh. He's making $5 million this season. He also could end up being a nice help with Trevor Rosenthal leading to closer Edward Mujica. Looks like a good move for the Cardinals bullpen, again time will tell if it is or isn't.

Magnus Paajarvi re-signs with Blues

The St. Louis Blues and forward Magnus Paajarvi have agreed to a two-year contract. He'll be getting paid $1.2 million over those two years. The Blues got Magnus Paajarvi in a trade with the Edmonton Oilers that sent forward David Perron to the Oilers. Both Paajarvi and Perron were former first round picks, who didn't fit their teams systems that well.

Paajarvi, 22, has a chance to see if he can improve his game on the Blues. He's shown flashes that he can be good when he played for the Oilers. He also comes from a hockey family; that might be a good thing. His dad, Gunnar Svensson, played hockey over in Sweden. He's currently a sports agent, one of the players who he's an agent for is Henrik Zetterberg. Having a family with history in hockey can help players at times. As of right now, Paajarvi is expected to be on a line with Blues center Patrik Berglund. Berglund is also from Sweden, and both have played on the same line for team Sweden before. Could that help both Berglund and Paajarvi during the season? That will soon be answered if they do end up on the same line.

In his career as of now he's played in 163 games, with 26 goals, 32 assists, 58 points, and is a minus 21. He's scored 5 power play goals, 1 shorthanded goal, and 2 game winning goals. The two game winning goals came last season, along with the shorthanded goal.

I'm interested in seeing if Paajarvi can improve as a player on the Blues once the season starts. And there's a chance that he could. That's pretty much because he is still young and has been learning how to use his skill better. Now all the Blues need to do is get defenseman Alex Pietrangelo signed to a long-term deal and then their offseason is complete. Could they end up trading one of their goalies in Brian Elliott or Jaroslav Halak to clear some cap space? Time will tell. The Blues have had a nice offseason from what it seems like. Will that transfer onto the ice once the season starts? We'll find out soon once October comes! One thing for sure is that the Blues got bigger in size.

Jay Bouwmeester lands contract extension with Blues

The St. Louis Blues have re-signed defenseman Jay Bouwmeester to a five-year contract extension, worth $27 million. Bouwmeester,29, would have become a free agent after this season. He'll make $6.68 million in 2013-2014. This seasons salary is the last of a five-year deal that he signed when he played for the Calgary Flames. After the 2013-2014 season, he'll make $5.4 million a year. He took a pay-cut to stay around as a Blue, if you look at the salary compared to this season.

Bouwmeester was drafted by the Florida Panthers in the first round of the 2002 NHL draft and was 3rd overall. The Blues traded for him last season, when he was a member of the Calgary Flames. To get him the Blues traded prospects Mark Cundari, Reto Berra, and a first round pick in the 2013 NHL draft. He currently owns the NHL's record for most consecutive games played and counting by a defenseman. Last season, he played in 47 games, fourteen of them as a Blue and thirty-three for the Flames. He scored 7 goals (one came with the Blues), 15 assists (six came with the Blues), and 22 points (seven came with the Blues). He also played in all of the Blues six postseason games, and has one assist. That was his first time he reached the playoffs in his career.

Jay Bouwmeester's career stats so far are: 764 games played, 72 goals, 235 assists, 307 points, and is a minus 60. The minus 60 is dropping, due to Bouwmeester playing better hockey. I think lots of that is because he was counted on a lot on the Panthers, who aren't that great of a team. It can also take players awhile to develop; not all of them become the player they are said to be on the team who they are drafted by. And then sometimes others fail to live up to expectations after they are drafted.

I'm glad that the Blues were able to get Bouwmeester signed to a long-term deal. Even though he likes St. Louis a lot, there's no way of knowing if his price may have been higher during preseason or the regular season. The Blues current ownership kind of reminds me of the way Bill Laurie's ownership group spent money, except this group seems to be better at working contracts out. They aren't afraid to spend money when it needs to be spent. And they seem to spend money the right way.

All the Blues need to do now is get defenseman Alex Pietrangelo under contract, along with forward Magnus Paajarvi. Paajarvi shouldn't cost much once he signs.