Jordan Walden, St. Louis Cardinals agree to new contract

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Jordan Walden and the St. Louis Cardinals have agreed to a new contract, the club announced on Tuesday.

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Walden, acquired from the Atlanta Braves, will now have a two-year contract that will end after the 2016 season with a club option for the 2017 season. In agreeing to a new contract with the right-handed reliever, the Cardinals are able to avoid arbitration.

Walden was acquired in the November 17 trade that sent Shelby Miller and Tyrell Jenkins to Atlanta in exchange for right fielder Jason Heyward. Last season, the Texas native struck out 62 batters in 50 innings pitched. He finished the year with a 2.88 ERA and three saves.

The pitcher has appeared in 50 or more games over three of the last four seasons. He led the Braves with 20 holds this past year. Overall, Walden owns a 12-13 record with a 3.10 ERA and 38 saves in 231 games. In 211.2 innings, Walden has struck out 254 batters.

Walden made his debut with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on August 22, 2010. He would go on to have a breakout season in 2011 and lead the Angels with 32 saves during the season. During the same year, Walden was named to the American League All-Star team and finished fifth in saves in the AL while finishing the season with a 2.98 ERA.