Reports have been flying and constantly changing all day, but now Tom Krasovic of Fanhouse.com and Buster Olney of ESPN.com both confirm that the deal is in place and has been approved by the union:
- Cardinals get Westbrook
- Padres get outfielder Ryan Ludwick
- Padres give up two prospects
Iniitial reaction: The Cardinals overpaid for a rental, probably because they're so impressed with rookie Jon Jay's great start. Ludwick is arbitration-eligible and could make around $7 million next year (according to MLB.com), so perhaps St. Louis thinks it's trading that salary for a minimum in Jay. Or maybe the Cardinals were just that motivated to add a starter. Westbrook isn't a huge difference-maker -- he's making $11 million this season with a WAR of 0.9 -- but he's one of those "nice to have" guys.
We don't know details on the prospects the Padres gave up, but it looks like they made out in this deal. Ludwick is exactly the kind of offensive boost they sorely need.
-- David Andriesen
UPDATE: Reports are saying the Padres are sending Double-A right-hander Corey Kluber to Cleveland and Class A lefty Nick Greenwood to St. Louis. The Cardinals' official release on the deal says the Indians are also sending cash to St. Louis.
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