Cardinals' Trevor Rosenthal: Agrees to deal to avoid arbitration

Rosenthal agreed to a one-year, $5.6 million contract with the Cardinals on Friday, avoiding arbitration.

The right-hander will earn more than 10 times what he earned in 2015 in his first year of arbitration. Rosenthal is coming off a stellar season as the Cardinals' closer, with his biggest improvement coming in the form of a reduced walk rate, which he trimmed by more than two walks per nine innings. He was afforded a long leash by manager Mike Matheny and he remains secure in the role entering spring training.