The St. Louis Cardinals averted arbitration with right-hander Jordan Walden by reaching agreement on a two-year contract.
The deal with Walden, who came to the Cardinals in the deal with the Atlanta Braves for outfielder Jason Heyward, includes a team option for 2017.
In five major league seasons, Walden has a 3.10 ERA in 212 innings. As a setup man for the Braves last season, he pitched in 58 games and had an 0-2 record with three saves, 20 holds and a 2.88 ERA with 27 walks and 62 strikeouts.
The 27-year-old posted 32 saves for the Angels in 2011. Walden has 38 career saves and 50 holds.