Joe Thurston agreed to terms on a deal with the Atlanta Braves, his agent confirmed this morning. Thurston spent last season with the St. Louis Cardinals, serving as a versatile, lefthanded option off the bench. In 124 games (267 at-bats), Thurston hit .225 with a .316 on-base percentage.
Thurston’s agent, Lou Tevlin, revealed the signing in a text message. He added that Thurston, who was let loose by the Cardinals during the roster machinations at the end of the regular season, was courted by teams that included the Philadelphia Phillies, the New York Yankees, Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Cleveland Indians.
Thurston agreed to a split contract that includes an invite to major-league spring training.
“It picked up quickly as soon as he became a major-league free agent,” Tevlin said. “It’s hard for Joe to leave because he and Tony (La Russa) have a great relationship and he respects the history — embraced the history really — of the Cardinals and their fans. But it was matter of having the strike when the iron was hot and putting himself in the best position to succeed.”
Thurston remained in St. Louis after the season to fulfill some promises to charities, including this one with children at Shriners Hospital.
