The Cardinals, shy of veteran left-handed relievers with Zach Duke (elbow surgery) and Tyler Lyons (knee surgery) both sidelined at the start of next season, have agreed to terms with free-agent reliever Brett Cecil, Yahoo Sports first reported Saturday.
The Post-Dispatch confirmed that the deal, which is pending a physical, is worth four years at $30.5 million. Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak declined to comment on the addition, as is the club's policy when a player is pending a physical.
The 30-year-old Cecil has spent all eight of his big-league seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays. In 2016, he was 1-7 with a 3.93 earned run average and for his career, which he began as a starter, he is 41-42 with 11 saves and a 4.20 ERA, including a 15-victory season in 2010.
Cecil had 45 strikeouts and only eight walks in 362/3 innings during the 2016 regular season and he had five hitless outings in postseason play. Toronto's top draft pick in 2007, Cecil has held left-handed batters to a .226 career average.
The Cardinals will have to make a move involving their 40-man roster to clear space for Cecil. Cecil will join Kevin Siegrist as the top left-handers in the bullpen. Duke is out for the 2017 season and Lyons won't be ready for at least a month into the season.
