Cecil had never been to St. Louis before signing with Cardinals

Brett Cecil may choose to do some sightseeing once the ink dries on his new deal.

The southpaw reliever put pen to paper on a four-year, $30.5-million contract with the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday, but the signing had bigger implications than just money for the 30-year-old - it was also the first time he'd ever been in The Lou.

"For me and my family this is a huge deal," Cecil said at Monday's press conference, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post Dispatch.

Cecil's mother and father joined him, his wife, and three children for the unprecedented trip, and the left-hander wasn't timid about being open to different roles for his entirely new setting.

"I've done everything from obviously starting, long relieving, sixth inning, seventh inning, eighth inning, ninth inning," Cecil said. "My flexibility is limitless."

Until now, Cecil had spent his entire eight-year career with the Toronto Blue Jays. Originally a starter, Cecil shifted to a bullpen role in 2012 before going on to post a cumulative 3.03 ERA as a reliever in Toronto.