The Cardinals' first free-agent addition wasn't the blockbuster acquisition fans have been dreaming about.
Fireworks could still come.
Until then there is Monday's appetizer, the signing of switch-hitting, 33-year-old catcher Brayan Pena on a two year, $5 million deal to back up All-Star starter Yadier Molina.
The newest Cardinal has a heck of a story.
He defected from Cuba at 16, and arrived in America not knowing a word of English.
Now he's an American citizen, a husband, a father and apparently one of the best clubhouse guys in the game.
"(Pena's) attitude, selflessness impresses me most," Reds outfielder Chris Heisey told MLB.