The Marlins got an early start to baseball’s trading frenzy that will go into full swing next week.
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To make room for Cishek on the team’s 40-man Major League roster, the Cardinals have transferred pitcher Matt Belisle to the 60-day disabled list. The former Miami closer saw his ERA balloon up to 10.32 as he struggled with his command and blew several save opportunities before getting yanked from the ninth inning by the Marlins.
The Cardinals sent Class AA right-hander Kyle Barraclough to Miami in the deal. He’s shown recent improvement, posting a 0.71 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 13 innings since being recalled from a trip to Double-A Jacksonville. 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.
Closers with solid save totals often do well in arbitration and last season was Cishek’s second crack at arbitration after qualifying for Super-2 status at the end of the 2014 season. Cishek is still under team control for two more seasons after this one should the Cardinals want to keep his services. He led the N.L. with 62 games finished in 2013 and has appeared in 60 or more games each of the last three seasons (2012-14).
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. I don’t see Barraclough making any noise this season in the Majors or anytime soon. The Cardinals will pick up the remainder of his salary. The reliever will replace Cishek on the roster and in the bullpen.
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The St. Louis Cardinals have struck again, acquiring an undervalued relief pitcher in July in hopes of improving their bullpen for October.
