The St. Louis Cardinals have signed RP Drew VerHagen to a two-year contract, worth $5.5 million. VerHagen, 31, can earn also earn up to $1 million in performance bounces in both seasons. VerHagen last pitched in the MLB in 2019, with the Detroit Tigers. That season, VerHagen was 4-3 with a 5.90 ERA, 22 games, 4 starts, 1 hold, 58 innings, 51 strikeouts, and 23 walks. The wins, starts, innings, and strikeouts were all career highs for VerHagen. VerHagen had a career high 5 holds in 2017.
Overall, VerHagen has played 6 seasons in the MLB (2014-2019). VerHagen has a record of 10-10 with a 5.11 ERA, 127 games, 8 starts, 14 holds, 199 innings, 156 strikeouts, and 75 walks, with a whip of 1.43.
After leaving the Tigers, VerHagen played 2 seasons (2020-2021) in Japan with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. In 2020, VerHagen was 8-5 with a 3.22 ERA, 18 games, 1 complete game, 1 shutout, 111.2 innings, 115 strikeouts, and 29 walks. Last season, VerHagen was 5-8 with a 3.80 ERA, 21 games, 97 innings, 101 strikeouts, and 33 walks.
Overall, in Japan, VerHagen was 13-14 with a 3.49 ERA, 39 games, 1 complete game, 1 shutout, 208.2 innings, 216 strikeouts, and 62 walks.
VerHagen if he learned how to pitch in Japan might end up being a good addition for the Cardinals. They've had some success in finding pitchers in Japan. In VerHagen's 6 seasons in the MLB, he had a groundball rate of 53.6 percent. That could end up being good behind the Cardinals defense.
The Cardinals view VerHagen as a flex starter or a swingman (someone who can handle innings, pitch in middle relief, or start if that's needed).
Hopefully VerHagen isn't the only new Cardinals' pitcher signed in free agency being re-opened.
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