Cardinals send David Freese to Angels for Peter Bourjos

After the rumors started to come out on Thursday, the St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have made a trade.
Jun 22, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Peter Bourjos (25) makes a catch against the wall in the ninth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Angel Stadium.Pirates won 6-1. Image Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
David Freese, the 2011 postseason hero, has been traded to the Angels in exchange for outfielder Peter Bourjos. The Cardinals are also sending reliever Fernando Salas while the Angels will include outfielder Randal Grichuk.

Following a breakout 2012 campaign, Freese just never really got it together this past season.

Grichuk had been the 24th overall draft pick in the 2009 draft. He was drafted ahead of outfielder Mike Trout with the first of two consecutive picks.

From today’s report by MLB Trade Rumors:

"Bourjos, who turns 27 at the end of Spring Training, is a defensive wizard in center field that owns a career .251/.306/.398 batting line. He slashed .274/.333/.377 in an injury-shortened season after being hit by a pitch on the wrist and requiring surgery. He also posted an impressive .271/.327/.438 batting line with 12 homers and 22 steals in 2011, showing off that he’s capable of being a plus offensive player in a full season as well. The speedster has a career 20.2 UZR/150 rating in more than 2,600 innings in center field."

It should be noted that both Freese and Salas were non-tender candidates. Had the Cardinals decided to not tender them a contract by December 2nd, they would have been free agents and allowed to sign anywhere. With the trade, the Cardinals managed to get something in return.

Freese will always be remembered by Cardinal Nation as saving the World Series in 2011 with his postseason heroics. This frees up third base for Matt Carpenter and second base for Kolten Wong.

With Bourjos expected to compete for center field with Jon Jay, and presumably take over, this means Oscar Taveras will likely start in right field.

I don’t think John Mozeliak is done at all. Matt Adams is still blocked by Allen Craig at first base and the Cardinals still need a shortstop.