Cardinals told RHP Axford he was tipping his pitches

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John Axford should be thanking the St. Louis Cardinals for the recent $4.5 million deal he signed with the Cleveland Indians. 

According to John Lott of the National Post, the Cardinals, who the right-hander briefly spent time with at the end of last season, pointed out that he had previously been tipping his pitches while he was a member of the Milwaukee Brewers. 

The 30-year-old had a breakout season in 2011, saving 46 games while posting a 1.95 ERA but struggled the next two, seeing his ERA balloon to 4.56 and eventually was removed as the team's closer. St. Louis, who belived they could easily fix his delivery, acquired Axford in late August to strengthen it's bullpen for the playoffs. 

“[The St. Louis] coaching staff really helped me out, picking that up and helping me along the way for those two months. Axford said. "And pitching well, and pitching well in the playoffs – I think that’s what really catapulted the opportunity for me to be a closer again.”

The move paid off, with Axford posting a 1.74 ERA in 10 1/3 innings during the regular season and allowed only one run in 5 2/3 innings during the playoffs, while striking out nine. Cleveland inked him to a one-year deal in December to take over as the team's closer.