Cardinals give Lynn three-year deal

Jan 16, 2015 - 1:43 AM St. Louis, MO (SportsNetwork.com) - St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Lance Lynn has agreed to a three-year contract, avoiding arbitration.

Financial terms were not disclosed, but CBSSports.com reported the deal to be worth $22 million. It will cover the remainder of Lynn's arbitration-eligible years.

"We are pleased to have reached this agreement with Lance," said Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak in a statement Thursday. "His performance has led to much success for both he and the Cardinals organization, and we look forward to his continued growth as both a pitcher and team leader."

Lynn has compiled a record of 49-28 with a 3.46 ERA in 119 games, 97 of which have been starts, since making his debut in 2011. He has been a member of four straight postseason clubs, helping the Cardinals to the 2011 World Series with 10 games out of the bullpen.

The 27-year-old right-hander was selected by the Cardinals with the 39th overall pick of the 2008 draft. His 48 wins since 2012 are the third-most in the National League, bettered only by teammate Adam Wainwright's 53 victories and Clayton Kershaw's 51 wins.

Lynn was an All-Star in his first full season of 2012 when he posted a record of 18-7 with a 3.78 ERA. He has won 15 games each of the last two seasons, finishing 2014 with a mark of 15-10 and a career-best 2.74 ERA in 33 starts.

The Cardinals also agreed to terms with catcher Tony Cruz and outfielder Peter Bourjos on one-year contracts.