Cardinals bolster bullpen, get Cishek in trade with Marlins

In an effort to bolster their bullpen down the stretch, the St. Louis Cardinals have acquired Steve Cishek from the Miami Marlins.

“Cishek’s 2015 season got off to a slow start, including a brief stint in early June at Jacksonville (AA)”, the Cardinals announcement said.

In a piece I penned Thursday night, I called Cishek a “decent back-up plan” for the Redbirds, who already enjoy the best bullpen in the National League – and the second-best in baseball behind only the Kansas City Royals.

Cishek has a 2-6 record on the season with a 4.50 ERA over 32 appearences. In exchange, the Cardinals will be sending right-handed pitcher Kyle Barraclough from Double-A, also first reported by Spencer. Since returning to the majors, he has pitched 12 2/3 innings, striking out 11 against four walks with four runs given up, just one of which was “earned” causing a 0.71 ERA and solid 2.27 FIP over the last month. The Marlins fifth-round selection in 2007 has a career record of 17-20 with 94 saves (108 chances) and a 2.86 ERA in 284 appearances. Although he has not had a notable amount of success this season, if Cishek pitches as well as he did in 2014 throughout the second half, he will likely become more valuable. The seventh round draft pick of 2012 works as a reliever.

With heightened interest among six teams, it appears as if the Marlins may receive more than they deserve for a former closer.

The 29-year-old has been particularly effective against right-handed hitters throughout his career, limiting them to a. 587 OPS since debuting in 2010. He has pitched as a reliever his entire major league career.

The St. Louis Cardinals have struck again, acquiring an undervalued relief pitcher in July in hopes of improving their bullpen for October.