Rockies sign John Axford to minor league deal

The Rockies have signed reliever John Axford to a minor-league deal, according to the team's transactions page. As reported by Thomas Harding of MLB.com, the deal will pay Axford a $2.6 million base salary if he makes the major-league roster, with incentives pushing the deal's potential maximum value to $4.1 million for next season.

Axford, 31, split last season between the Indians and Pirates, posting a 3.95 ERA while recording ten saves in 62 appearances. He reportedly drew interest from the Blue Jays and multiple other clubs this winter before deciding to sign with Colorado, and seems like a good bet to make the team's bullpen out of spring training. Axford joins Gus Schlosser and David Hale as recent additions to the Rockies' bullpen, and will likely work with Tommy Kahnle, Boone Logan and LaTroy Hawkins at the back-end of the team's bullpen.

In parts of six major-league seasons with the Brewers (2009-2013), Cardinals (2013), Indians (2014) and Pirates (2014), Axford is the owner of a lifetime 3.40 ERA and 116 saves in 343 relief appearances. He is best known for his time with the Brewers, as he led the league in saves with 46 in 2011.