The Boston Red Sox have agreed to trade starting pitcher John Lackey to the St. Louis Cardinals for slugger Allen Craig and right-hander Joe Kelly.
Lackey, 35, is a quality rotation pitcher for the Cardinals, who are trying to bolster their arms now that Michael Wacha may not return for the rest of the season. Cardinals’ fans remember Lackey well; he won two games against them in the 2013 World Series including the decisive game six. Lackey is 11-7 this season with a 3.60 ERA and 116 strikeouts in 21 starts according to Fox Sports.
The Cardinals could make Lackey more then just a rental arm for two months. Due to a clause in his contract that was activated after his 2011 Tommy John surgery, St. Louis can bring him back for the 2015 season at a minimum salary of $500,000 according to USA Today.
The injury bug has bitten Craig, 29, this year. He is batting just .237 with seven home runs and 44 RBI. Craig can play as both an outfielder and a first baseman.
Kelly has also struggled this year due to a hamstring injury. In seven starts he’s gone 2-2 with a 4.37 ERA.