For the second year in a row the Cardinals lost their top free agent target to the Angels at the winter meetings.

Sean Burnett, widely regarded as the best lefty reliever available on the market, signed Wednesday with Anaheim at a surprisingly low $8 million over two seasons, according to the LA Times.

Reports earlier in the off-season indicated that Burnett was looking to top the $18 million over three years that Jeremy Affeldt got from the Giants, possibly even seeking four guaranteed years.

Instead, the birds inked former Dodgers lefty Randy Choate for $7.5 million over three years.

Choate, 37, is more of a strict one out guy than Burnett. He pitched only 38 2/3 innings in 80 appearances, compiling a 3.03 ERA with 33 strikeouts and 18 walks. He's got a 4.04 ERA over 12 major league seasons with the Yankees, Diamondbacks, Rays, Marlins and Dodgers.