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Cardinals Sign Drew VerHagen To Two-Year Deal

By Steve Adams | March 11, 2022 at 11:13am CDT

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.

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View Comments (78)
Post a Comment

78 Comments

  1. Yankee Clipper

    3 years ago

    Yeah, a FA signing!

    15
    Reply
    • LordD99

      3 years ago

      There should have been a contest!

      7
      Reply
      • Tacoshells

        3 years ago

        No one would have guessed this !

        15
        Reply
        • tommygun1971

          3 years ago

          George Costanza would have said he called it though…. 🙂

          6
          Reply
        • Ully

          3 years ago

          Professor Frink from the Simpson’s would have!

          2
          Reply
    • Fred Park

      3 years ago

      @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.

      2
      Reply
      • Johnny R.

        3 years ago

        Clubs and players have been talking all along. Just on burner phones. Lol

        6
        Reply
    • 17dizzy

      3 years ago

      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

      6
      Reply
      • Win Cor

        3 years ago

        Devil Magic!

        2
        Reply
        • Holy Cow!

          3 years ago

          This confirms it. The Cardinals are Satanists.

          Reply
    • Franklin Souze

      3 years ago

      Owners have a bonus clause for !st FA signed post Lock Out?
      Now – watch this guy blow it up this season?

      1
      Reply
  2. D*ckin the dog

    3 years ago

    Here we go!!!!!

    5
    Reply
    • stymeedone

      3 years ago

      2017 innings in two years is quite the accomplishment, lol.

      2
      Reply
  3. 8ManLineupNoPitcherNoDH

    3 years ago

    About time something happened

    4
    Reply
    • Djc1973

      3 years ago

      Lol it only tool three months lmbo

      Reply
  4. MC Tim C

    3 years ago

    THIS is the first signing?? LAAAAAAAME lol

    8
    Reply
  5. zachary08

    3 years ago

    Tampering alert

    12
    Reply
  6. dynamite drop in monty

    3 years ago

    Collusion canceled?

    4
    Reply
  7. mikevm3

    3 years ago

    Open the floodgates

    4
    Reply
  8. dsett75

    3 years ago

    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.

    7
    Reply
    • lionsman86

      3 years ago

      Put up a 3.51 era in 207 innings in Japan. I’m
      Kinda surprised he wasn’t a minor league deal

      7
      Reply
    • Dotnet22

      3 years ago

      Low walk rate and good ground ball %. Just what the Cardinals are looking for with the stellar infield defense.

      8
      Reply
      • spudchukar

        3 years ago

        Exactly!

        Reply
    • For Love of the Game

      3 years ago

      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.

      Reply
  9. gdbyers

    3 years ago

    Is this the first signing lol?

    7
    Reply
    • tigerdoc616

      3 years ago

      I think it is!

      1
      Reply
    • SteveC

      3 years ago

      Well, if you trust the first sentence “IN THE ARTICLE” it is

      4
      Reply
  10. Dogs for Hire

    3 years ago

    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.

    Reply
    • rememberthecoop

      3 years ago

      Even so, there is only about a month and that includes FA and trades.

      Reply
    • Johnny R.

      3 years ago

      Clubs and players have been talking all along. Just on burner phones.

      1
      Reply
  11. minnesota2887

    3 years ago

    Hmm, his Japan numbers were lackluster
    Odd 2 year deal

    1
    Reply
    • rememberthecoop

      3 years ago

      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.

      Reply
  12. dale123

    3 years ago

    Another scrub

    1
    Reply
  13. tigerdoc616

    3 years ago

    Good for Drew. Met him when he was with the Tigers. Very nice young man. Wish him nothing but the best with the Cards.

    9
    Reply
  14. Tacoshells

    3 years ago

    Yeah!! FA signing !!! More more more !!

    Reply
  15. DarkSide830

    3 years ago

    lolCardinals

    2
    Reply
    • Dotnet22

      3 years ago

      Please explain.

      2
      Reply
      • DarkSide830

        3 years ago

        This dude is terrible and they gave him two years. I think STL is a well run team but this is not it.

        1
        Reply
        • Dotnet22

          3 years ago

          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.

          6
          Reply
        • fox471 Dave

          3 years ago

          Not terrible. He was with a terrible team. Tigers are much better now and, apparently, so is he.

          1
          Reply
        • rememberthecoop

          3 years ago

          The Cards defense alone should help him though. Look at what Flexen got from the M’s.

          1
          Reply
        • Jonny5

          3 years ago

          Not as bad as some of your takes, DarkSide.

          10
          Reply
        • DarkSide830

          3 years ago

          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.

          Reply
        • DarkSide830

          3 years ago

          whatever man. no one said you needed to read them.

          Reply
        • Deadguy

          3 years ago

          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

          Reply
        • rocknwell

          3 years ago

          I suppose this could be said about nearly any pitcher in baseball. But you’re not wrong!

          Reply
  16. stymeedone

    3 years ago

    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.

    2
    Reply
  17. bighiggy

    3 years ago

    Cards like those hard throwing ground ball specialists. But 2 years seems a stretch for a guy who didn’t dominate

    1
    Reply
  18. Camden453

    3 years ago

    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

    2
    Reply
  19. preauto

    3 years ago

    Ok who had this guy to be the first signing?

    Reply
  20. FSF

    3 years ago

    Drew Ver Who?

    Reply
  21. whyhayzee

    3 years ago

    Will he still let his wife pay for her meal?

    Reply
  22. lucas0622

    3 years ago

    Hot stove is hot

    Reply
  23. hyraxwithaflamethrower

    3 years ago

    So it begins…

    Reply
  24. Bauer? But I Hardly Know Her!

    3 years ago

    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?

    Reply
  25. philliesfan215

    3 years ago

    If he is punching 1/4 of his opponents he is in the wrong sport.

    1
    Reply
    • Deadguy

      3 years ago

      Me too yo me too

      Reply
  26. Bob333

    3 years ago

    Drew who lets get moving with the BIG GUYS Bryant will be first and sign with the Phillies

    Reply
    • rememberthecoop

      3 years ago

      I actually do think that KB signs with Philly. Unites him with his best buddy.

      Reply
    • Deadguy

      3 years ago

      Bigs guys are a waste of money? What was the payroll of the world series winner last year?

      Reply
  27. jason 54

    3 years ago

    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.

    Reply
  28. vtadave

    3 years ago

    Called it!

    1
    Reply
  29. jackhammer838

    3 years ago

    How did he pitch 2017 innings in two years?

    Reply
    • Codeeg

      3 years ago

      Yea hopefully he still has an arm

      1
      Reply
  30. topchuckie

    3 years ago

    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.

    Reply
  31. Pedro Martinez’s Mango Tree

    3 years ago

    So… 100 days for this, huh?

    Reply
  32. Redbird314

    3 years ago

    Reach for the stars, Mo.

    1
    Reply
  33. gomer33

    3 years ago

    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. 😉

    Reply
  34. fivetwos

    3 years ago

    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.

    Reply
  35. Doug

    3 years ago

    Waiting for the “FREE AGENT FRENZY” to start and all we get is DREW VAN HAGEN?

    1
    Reply
  36. HalosHeavenJJ

    3 years ago

    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.

    5
    Reply
  37. mack423

    3 years ago

    I really liked him about 5 years ago. Didn’t know he had gone to Japan and assumed he had flamed out.

    1
    Reply
  38. Four4fore

    3 years ago

    Lock out kept the Cardinals from dumpster diving for 99 days.

    1
    Reply
  39. Ully

    3 years ago

    My prediction for the 2nd spicy signing is Ablert Puljos with Olmecas de Tabasco

    Reply
  40. MarkieFresh

    3 years ago

    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.

    Reply
  41. Deadguy

    3 years ago

    “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

    4
    Reply
  42. tigers2022

    3 years ago

    2017 1/3 innings in two years? Stud

    Reply
  43. Peart of the game

    3 years ago

    A six man rotation makes sense because of all the health question marks between Wainwright, Flaherty, Mikolas, Hudson.

    Reply

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