The first Major League free-agent signing following the MLB lockout went to an unexpected player, as the Cardinals announced Friday that they’ve signed right-hander Drew VerHagen to a two-year contract. VerHagen, a client of ISE Baseball, spent the past two seasons pitching in Japan. He’ll reportedly be guaranteed a total of $5.5MM — $2.5MM in 2022 and $3MM in 2023. He can further boost his earnings via incentives.
While the 31-year-old VerHagen probably wasn’t predicted by many as the first post-lockout domino to fall, he’ll head back to the big leagues not only on a guaranteed contract but on a multi-year arrangement. The 6’6″ righty struggled for much of his six seasons with the Tigers, pitching to a 5.11 ERA over the life of 199 big league frames. His two-year stint overseas changed his fortunes, however, as VerHagen broke out as a key member of the Nippon-Ham Fighters’ bullpen.
In two seasons with the Fighters, VerHagen notched a 3.51 ERA in 2017 1/3 innings while punching out a quarter of his opponents against a strong 7.2% walk rate. He’s long had decent velocity (94 mph average) on his sinker and has a track record of inducing grounders at a high rate (53.9% in the Majors) — which fits in well with the Cardinals’ otherworldy infield defense.
Broadly speaking, the Cardinals have a track record in signing players out of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball and the Korea Baseball Organization — both in terms of former big leaguers making a return and established NPB/KBO stars making their first jump to MLB. The Cardinals’ 2017 signing of Miles Mikolas (two years, $15.5MM) proved one of the better return pickups in recent memory, and KBO lefty Kwang Hyun Kim spent the past two seasons as a key member of the St. Louis pitching staff after signing at two years and $8MM. VerHagen is the latest to follow that path on a big league deal, though the Cards’ January signing of righty Aaron Brooks to a minor league contract could eventually enter that fold.
VerHagen worked out of the rotation with the Fighters, and Cards president of baseball operations John Mozeliak suggested today he’ll compete for a starting job in St. Louis as well (Twitter link via Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat). That said, a bullpen spot seems easier to carve out, given the already crowded nature of the team’s starting staff. The Cardinals’ rotation includes Jack Flaherty, Adam Wainwright, Dakota Hudson, Mikolas and lefty Steven Matz, who inked a four-year, $44MM deal earlier in the offseason. The Cards also have prospects Matthew Liberatore and Zack Thompson working their way toward the Majors, plus depth options like Jake Woodford and Johan Oviedo.
The addition of VerHagen gives them a potential long relief and spot-start option, but he could also find his way into a late-inning role if he can maintain some of his overseas success. Giovanny Gallegos is the current favorite to close games for newly minted manager Oliver Marmol, and there’s plenty of talent throughout the rest of the bullpen mix. Alex Reyes and Jordan Hicks have both closed games in the past, while Genesis Cabrera and veteran T.J. McFarland give the Cards a pair of solid left-handed options. It’s quite possible the Cards will make further bullpen additions, as they’ve been connected to higher-profile relievers such as Joe Kelly and Ryan Tepera throughout the duration of the lockout.
Mark Feinsand of MLB.com first reported the agreement and the terms.
Yeah, a FA signing!
There should have been a contest!
No one would have guessed this !
George Costanza would have said he called it though…. 🙂
Professor Frink from the Simpson’s would have!
@Yankee Clipper, I am surprised it happened so quickly. Clubs and players are just beginning to talk again.
I’m checking Trade Rumors often, hoping the Mariners do something wise. They have to replace Seager’s RBIs.
Clubs and players have been talking all along. Just on burner phones. Lol
Yes Sir!!
The first Free Agent signing after the Lock-Out goes to——— the St. Louis Cardinals!!
Mozeliak wins the race to sign the free agent of choice—- a 31 year old former Detroit Tigers— MLB wash out!!!
Cardinals
Devil Magic!
This confirms it. The Cardinals are Satanists.
Owners have a bonus clause for !st FA signed post Lock Out?
Now – watch this guy blow it up this season?
Here we go!!!!!
2017 innings in two years is quite the accomplishment, lol.
About time something happened
Lol it only tool three months lmbo
THIS is the first signing?? LAAAAAAAME lol
Tampering alert
Collusion canceled?
Open the floodgates
I’m not only surprised that it’s taken this long for a ML deal, but I’m also surprised that VerHagen got a 2-year deal. He was mostly terrible with the Tigers. He must’ve righted the ship over in Japan apparently.
Put up a 3.51 era in 207 innings in Japan. I’m
Kinda surprised he wasn’t a minor league deal
Low walk rate and good ground ball %. Just what the Cardinals are looking for with the stellar infield defense.
Exactly!
He had the “stuff,” but just couldn’t put it together. You can says that about a lot of failed starters who went to the pen out of desperation. That’s why I’m astonished that he got a two-year deal for that kind of money.
Is this the first signing lol?
I think it is!
Well, if you trust the first sentence “IN THE ARTICLE” it is
I don’t think the rush to sign is going to materialize. Everyone is going to hold out as long as possible to ensure that a better deal cannot be had.
Even so, there is only about a month and that includes FA and trades.
Clubs and players have been talking all along. Just on burner phones.
Hmm, his Japan numbers were lackluster
Odd 2 year deal
Well, aside from the fact that Japan is not MLB, his ERA would actually be considered very good these days. Times have changed my friend.
Another scrub
Good for Drew. Met him when he was with the Tigers. Very nice young man. Wish him nothing but the best with the Cards.
Yeah!! FA signing !!! More more more !!
lolCardinals
Please explain.
This dude is terrible and they gave him two years. I think STL is a well run team but this is not it.
5.5M over 2 years isn’t going to kill this teams budget and this guy could be a diamond in the rough. Good ground ball percentage and low walk rate works well on this team.
Not terrible. He was with a terrible team. Tigers are much better now and, apparently, so is he.
The Cards defense alone should help him though. Look at what Flexen got from the M’s.
Not as bad as some of your takes, DarkSide.
Sure it isn’t goint to kill them, but he’s a 5.11 ERA pitcher in the Majors and 3.51 in Japan. Heck, he’s only got a 3.97 ERA in AAA.
whatever man. no one said you needed to read them.
And that number will drop to below three in front of the Cardianls defense if he doesn’t allow homeruns and doesn’t walk people with the basesloaded
I suppose this could be said about nearly any pitcher in baseball. But you’re not wrong!
He had righted the ship during his last season with Detroit, piggybacking with Fulmer. He’d had a fractured back that he somewhat pitched thru before it was discovered. He’s got a mean sinker.
Cards like those hard throwing ground ball specialists. But 2 years seems a stretch for a guy who didn’t dominate
Good low cost high upside signing. That’s the way to do it. If it doesn’t work out, well, you’re only down 2.5m and 3m
Ok who had this guy to be the first signing?
Drew Ver Who?
Will he still let his wife pay for her meal?
Hot stove is hot
So it begins…
It only makes sense that the first signing would be for a role player. You really think Kris Bryant gonna sign first thing, suggesting that all GMs were ignoring the restriction or that he’d take the first offer?
If he is punching 1/4 of his opponents he is in the wrong sport.
Me too yo me too
Drew who lets get moving with the BIG GUYS Bryant will be first and sign with the Phillies
I actually do think that KB signs with Philly. Unites him with his best buddy.
Bigs guys are a waste of money? What was the payroll of the world series winner last year?
All ex- Tigers should get the Prince Treatment of exorbitantly more money then the deserve. That way the organization that do it right like Toronto will win another championship in the toughest division in baseball and take home the crown.
Called it!
How did he pitch 2017 innings in two years?
Yea hopefully he still has an arm
I cannot believe this is the newest article for almost 2 hours on this day!!! Arrrrgh.
ETA: Didn’t see it was CDT, but still.
So… 100 days for this, huh?
Reach for the stars, Mo.
At first I wasn’t thinking a 3.51 ERA was that great coming back to the MLB but sweet jesus he pitched 2017 1/3 innings over two years. 😉
I expected a flood of signings by now.
Guess they don’t want to make it too obvious that they were all talking during the lockout lol.
Waiting for the “FREE AGENT FRENZY” to start and all we get is DREW VAN HAGEN?
I’m a big fan of ground ball pitchers. Quick outs, hard to stage a big rally against.
He should fit perfectly in St. Louis.
I really liked him about 5 years ago. Didn’t know he had gone to Japan and assumed he had flamed out.
Lock out kept the Cardinals from dumpster diving for 99 days.
My prediction for the 2nd spicy signing is Ablert Puljos with Olmecas de Tabasco
Seems like a pretty good try out. I hope the Cards go six man rotation help to keep the mix ease into the season and allow more fluid transitions. Flaherty might get his first complete full work. Hudson just off injury season. I would be pretty happy if Waino, Mikolas and Matz start more then 85 games combined.
“The Cardinals’ 2017 signing of Miles Mikolas (two years, $15.5MM) proved one of the better return pickups in recent memory”
I’d rather had paid Lance Lynn that money, but for a KBO pick up Mikolas has been good, Lynn has been better for the same amount
2017 1/3 innings in two years? Stud
A six man rotation makes sense because of all the health question marks between Wainwright, Flaherty, Mikolas, Hudson.