Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Jordan Walden
Jun 20, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Jordan Walden (52) and Braves catcher Evan Gattis (24) celebrate after the Braves game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. The Braves won 6-4 in thirteen innings. Reuters

The St. Louis Cardinals have agreed to a contract with relief pitcher Jordan Walden according to various reports on Tuesday. The deal is worth a total of $6.6 million which includes a $350,00 signing bonus and salaries of $2.5M in 2015 and $3.5M in 2016. The Cardinals can choose to extend the deal to a third year worth $5.25M.

The Cardinals in their official Twitter account announced the signing of the 27-year-old pitcher.

#stlcards agree to 2-year deal with RHP Jordan Walden thru 2016 with club option for 2017 and avoid arbitration

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) December 23, 2014

Walden, who has played in 50 or more games the past four seasons, was acquired by the Cardinals in a trade with the Atlanta Braves last Nov. 17.
Walden was traded by the Braves with outfielder Jason Heywardor for pitchers Shelby Miller and Tyrell Jenkins.

The five-year veteran pitcher has a career record of 12-13 with 3.10 ERA, 254 strikeouts and 38 saves in 211 2/3 innings. He was drafted in the 12th round of the 2010 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Angels. He appeared in the 2011 MLB All Star Game as a member of the Angels when he had 32 saves for the team for the season. He played for the Angels from 2010 to 2012 and the last two years, 2013 and 2014 with the Atlanta Braves.

RELATED STORIES