The Cardinals are unlikely to tender a contract to pitcher John Axford, MLB.com reports. Axford earned $5 million is 2013 due to his history as a closer, and he would earn a minimum of $4 million through arbitration if the team decided to tender him a contract.
Axford could return to the team on a reduced salary depending on the market he finds for his services in free agency. He went 7-7 with a 4.02 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 65:26 K:BB ratio in 65 innings between the Brewers and Cardinals last season.