"The Cardinals have reached agreement with righthanded reliever Kyle McClellan on a one-year, $2.5 million contract, thereby avoiding arbitration.

The deal with McClellan leaves closer Jason Motte as the Cardinals' remaining arbitration candidate. General manager John Mozeliak has been engaged with Motte's representation regarding a deal. The respective parties are scheduled to submit bids if an agreement remains elusive.

McClellan was 12-7 with a 4.19 ERA while splitting last season between the rotation and the bullpen. He was placed on the roster for only one of the Cardinals' three postseason series after enduring arm fatigue in September. Mozeliak last weekend tried to dispel persistent trade rumors surrounding McClellan by insisting he thought it more likely than not that the Florissant native would be part of the team's opening day make-up."