Jonathan Broxton Re-signs With Cardinals

Free agent reliever Johnathan Broxton has re-signed with the St. Louis Cardinals. Broxton gets a two-year contract, worth $7.5 million. His deal include a full no trade clause. Broxton, 31, was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2002, in the 2nd round of the MLB draft. He made his MLB debut on July 29, 2005 against the St. Louis Cardinals. His first career strikeout was former St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols. He later would become the Dodgers closer full-time in 2009. While, as the Dodgers closer he was selected to the All-Star Game two times, in 2009 and 2010. After leaving the Dodgers he's made stops for the Kansas City Royals (2012), Cincinnati Reds (2012-2014), and the Milwaukee Brewers (2014-2015).

The Cardinals acquired Broxton from the Brewers on July 31, 2015 for prospect outfielder/second baseman Malik Collymore. At the time of the trade, Broxton was 1-2 in 40 games, with an era of 5.89, 37 strikeouts in 36.2 innings. He appeared in 26 games for the Cardinals down the stretch run, he went 3-3 with an era of 2.66, 26 strikeouts, in 23.2 innings. Combined he finished the 2015 season, appearing in 66 games, with a record of 4-5, with an era of 4.62, 63 strikeouts in 60.1 innings.

Broxton has played eight seasons in the MLB over those 11 seasons, his career record is: 39-35, 608 games, 3.23 era, 685 strikeouts, 118 saves, 124 holds, 599.2 innings pitched, and a whip of 1.23.

Broxton isn't what he once was when he was younger, but still can be a reliable bullpen pitcher for late innings. He'll take some of the pressure off of Seth Maness, Kevin Siegrist, and closer Trevor Rosenthal. No one knows yet, what relievers Jordan Walden's status is for the 2016 season. That should be found out in spring training. Walden even can be risky even if he's ready to pitch, because he's coming off of an injury and missed a lot of time. Hopefully, Walden will be ready to role. If he is that helps the Cardinals bullpen having both Walden and Broxton.

Broxton and Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright are both best friends. The Cardinals even could use another bullpen arm. What will the Cardinals next move be? I hope it's Jason Heyward or a starting pitcher.