JUPITER, Fla. -- Jonathan Broxton landed in St. Louis last summer after the Brewers dealt him to the Cardinals at the non-waiver Trade Deadline. The former closer provided needed depth in the Cardinals' bullpen and signed a two-year contract with St. Louis in December.
The Cardinals are Broxton's fifth team in his 11-year Major League career since the Dodgers selected him in the second round of the 2002 Draft. He has a 3.23 ERA and 118 saves. The decision to accept the Cardinals' offer during the offseason was not difficult for the 6-foot-4 right-hander.
"When I came over here, I had a great time," Broxton said at camp on Sunday. "A great organization, a great team, great leaders over here, and a manager I really respect."
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Having spent all but one season of his big league career pitching in the National League, including part of 2014 and the first four months of last year with NL Central-rival Milwaukee, Broxton has had plenty of opportunities to see the Cardinals up close from the other dugout.
"The way the Cardinals do it, having played against them, they go out there and nothing is easy on the other side of the field," Broxton said. "From the at-bats to running the bases to defense, they do all the small stuff."
Broxton even reported to Cardinals camp a few pounds lighter, weighing in at 285 when pitchers and catchers reported earlier this month. He had been listed on the roster at 305.
"That's what the scale says," Broxton said, contributing the weight loss to nothing other than exercise from going hunting quite a lot during the offseason.
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Manager Mike Matheny said that part of the reason for bringing Broxton on board was to add a veteran arm capable of taking some of the load off closer Trevor Rosenthal. Broxton said that he's willing to do whatever is asked of him.
"It doesn't really matter to me," Broxton said of his role. "I'll pitch the fifth, sixth, seventh, ninth, I don't care. As long as we get the win, we'll be happy."
Broxton, who turns 32 in June, said that staying healthy and avoiding injury is key for him and the pitching staff.
"We have an ace [Adam Wainwright] that can go out there and do some special things, and we've got some guys that can throw behind him," Broxton said. "It should be a lot of fun this year."