If you’re feeling weepy about the fact that not only is Mark DeRosa not coming back to the Cubs, but also is going to the worst possible place – St. Louis – avert your eyes now. They’ll just get weepier.
The Cardinals filled two needs in one move when they acquired infielder/outfielder Mark DeRosa from the Indians for right-handed reliever Chris Perez and a player to be named. DeRosa will primarily serve as the Cardinals’ third baseman, and he also adds significant right-handed depth to a lineup that has had a very hard time against left-handed pitching. stlcardinals.com.
Perez is obviously the thrust of the deal as far as the Indians are concerned, as the Cardinals’ farm system is pretty thin – so the PTBNL is not likely to be anything too tremendous.
Perez, who turns 24 next month, is a hard-throwing reliever once believed to be the Cardinals’ closer of the future. In 29 appearances this year, he is 1-1 with a 4.18 ERA, 30 strikeouts and 15 walks in 23 2/3 innings. However, the Cardinals are deep in right-handed relief, and Perez appeared to have been passed on the depth chart this year by Jason Motte.
DeRosa instantly becomes perhaps the second best hitter on the Cardinals – at least in terms of 2009 production. Considering how well Albert Pujols has been hitting with virtually no protection in the lineup, no good can come from this as far as Cubs fans are concerned.