The Cardinals upgraded their offense on Saturday night with the acquisition of Mark DeRosa from the Indians. Cleveland will receive right-handed reliever Chris Perez and a player to be named later.
DeRosa, 34, entered Saturday hitting .270 with a .342 on-base percentage and a .457 slugging percentage. He has largely played third base for the Indians and is expected to do the same in St. Louis, but his versatility is one of the traits that makes him appealing to the Cardinals. DeRosa bats right-handed, a welcome addition for a club that has struggled against left-handed pitching. He is in the final year of a three-year deal that pays him a guaranteed $5.5 million in 2009.
Perez, who turns 24 next month, is a hard-throwing rookie 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.
DeRosa will wear uniform No. 7 and is expected to join the Cardinals in time for their Sunday game at home against the Twins.