photo: Keynan Middleton (Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports)
According to multiple reports, the St. Louis Cardinals and free agent relief pitcher Keynan Middleton have agreed to terms on a contract, pending a physical. The news was first reported on Thursday evening by Robert Murray of Fansided.
The 30-year-old right-hander split his 2023 between the Chicago White Sox and the New York Yankees. In his seventh partial season in the majors, Middleton appeared in 51 games and threw 50 2/3 innings with a 3.38 ERA/4.20 FIP.
In 2023, he logged a career-best 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings but also posted a walk rate of 4.1 per nine. Prior to last season, Middleton had never fanned more than 8.4 batters per nine since his rookie year of 2017, but then again, he has had trouble staying healthy. His career K and BB rates are 9.2 and 3.9, respectively.
Middleton’s 0.1 fWAR between his two stops in 2023 was his first positive WAR since 2019, leading to his first big league contract to open the season since 2021.
The Oregon native was the third-round selection of the Los Angeles Angels in the 2013 draft. Middleton made his MLB debut in 2017 and remained with the Halos through the 2020 season. After starting 2018 as the team’s closer, he required Tommy John surgery that kept him out most of the next three years. After pitching less than 40 innings total over 2018-2020, he was non-tendered that fall, becoming a free agent.
That began a stretch during which Middleton pitched for five different organizations over three years-plus, from the end of 2020 through 2023. The Cardinals are number six.
Middleton signed with the Seattle Mariners for 2021. He appeared in 32 games, with a 4.94 ERA. He was outrighted to the minors in August and declared free agency following the season.
The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder moved to Arizona for 2022 on a minor league contract, but by the end of April, he was added to the 40-man roster and promoted to the majors. Middleton pitched well when in Triple-A (2.12 ERA), but much less so with the Snakes (5.29). In November, he was outrighted again and returned to free agency.
For 2023, Middleton signed with the White Sox, again on a minor league deal. Once again, he did not make the team out of spring training but was soon called up. After just three innings of work in Triple-A, he joined the big-league club in the second week of April, from where he pitched until traded to the Yankees at the July 31st trade deadline. The return was a High-A pitcher, Juan Carela, who had been ranked the no. 29 prospect in the Yankees system according to MLB Pipeline.
On his way out the door, Middleton criticized the White Sox’ “no rules” culture, which the team predictably rebutted. After two months with New York, half of which was spent on the IL, he once again became a free agent following the 2023 season.
Minor injuries have followed Middleton since his long TJS recovery that limited him from 2018-2020. He missed most of September 2023 due to right shoulder inflammation. In 2022, he had three separate injured list stints, from right elbow inflammation, a right ankle strain and a sprained left great toe. In 2021, Middleton was on the IL twice, once due to a right biceps strain. His rookie year of 2017 is most recent and only MLB season during which he spent no time on the shelf.
With the 2024 Cardinals, Middleton is expected to join Ryan Helsley and Giovanny Gallegos in the late inning mix. With the opening of spring training less than two weeks away, the team is likely done with player moves for now – with one exception.
The Cardinals will need to clear a 40-man roster spot once Middleton passes his physical and his contract is made official. This article will also be updated with the financial terms of his deal once released.
Update Saturday, 2/3
The Cardinals formalized the contract, which is guaranteed for one year and $6 million, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. There is a team option for a second season in 2025 that could make the deal worth $11 million total. The buyout for the 2025 season is $1 million.
The corresponding 40-man roster move is right-handed reliever Guillermo Zuñiga being designated for assignment. In the next week, he will either clear waivers, be claimed by another organization, be traded or released.
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