Nashville, TN (Sports Network) - The St. Louis Cardinals made their first
major move of the offseason on Wednesday, agreeing to terms with veteran
relief pitcher Randy Choate on a three-year contract.
CBSSports.com reported that the deal is worth $7.5 million.
Choate has been one of the game's more effective lefty specialists during his
12-year big league career, having held left-handed hitters to a .201 average
over that time. The 37-year-old limited southpaws to a mere .158 average over
a combined 80 games last season, which he split between the Miami Marlins and
Los Angeles Dodgers.
The journeyman hurler also posted a 3.03 earned run average in 2012 and owns
an 11-11 record with a 4.02 ERA over 476 lifetime appearances, all of which
have come in relief.
Choate broke into the majors with the New York Yankees in 2000 and has also
pitched for Arizona and Tampa Bay in addition to the Marlins and Dodgers.
The Cardinals had made obtaining a second left-hander to pair with returnee
Mark Rzepcynski in the bullpen as one of their top priorities during the
Winter Meetings.
The Sports Network