Instead of going after a big gun like Matt Holliday, the St. Louis Cardinals have reached an agreement with the Cleveland Indians to send 23-year old relief pitcher Chris Perez to Cleveland for the ultimate utility man, Mark DeRosa.
DeRosa is a perfect player for a manager like Tony LaRussa, bringing a gritty feeling to the game, with the willingness to play every position every day. Even at 34, DeRosa just seems like the X-Factor that any team that wants to compete for the Championship needs. In 71 games so far this season, Mark is hitting .270 with 13 home runs and 50 RBIs. His 47 runs scored compare well with other infielders in the league, being tied with David Wright and just seven behind speedster Chone Figgins.
I am not sure if DeRosa will slip right into the starting line-up with the Cards, or if he will serve his role as a pinch hitter and a fill-in for anybody when they need a day off. My money is on him replacing Khalil Greene, a natural short stop who moved to the hot corner to get Brendan Ryan into the line-up, who is hitting just .205 with five homers.
Chris Perez has a bright future if he can get himself on the right track. He has a solid 3.78 career ERA in 70 appearances and has a three pitch repertoire (Fastball, Slider Change-up). His heater averages out at 94 mph, so his velocity could be his strong point as he continues to develop.
The Cardinals were set on using Perez as a closer, but he only got two save chances, and he blew one of them. He is a good strikeout pitcher (30 in 23.2 innings), so he has the stuff to be a future closer for the Indians. It is possible that the Indians could use Perez as a closer this season, as their free agent acquisition Kerry Wood has blown four saves this season and is sporting a 5.68 ERA.
If there is anyone mad or upset about this trade, it would be Chicago Cubs trade. Not only does this move sure up a top two finish in the NL Central for the Cards, the player they are getting played for the Cubs the past two seasons.
Indians lose to Reds 7-3; trade DeRosa [Cleveland Plain-Dealer]
Some St. Louis reaction.