Trade news: Cardinals acquire Broxton

With just over three hours to go until Major League Baseball reaches the trade deadline, word comes the St. Louis Cardinals have acquired another player.

The Cardinals picked up relief pitcher Jonathan Broxton from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for prospect Malik Collymore; cash considerations are also rumored in this deal.

Before Cardinals fans tear out their collective hair, let’s review.

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Going into the final few days, the team’s shopping list included another bat for the outfield or first base, not to mention more bullpen help. Many hoped St. Louis would go to the store, find a huge item it didn’t need to purchase, and take it home in the shopping cart.

Broxton’s numbers certainly suggest a pitcher in decline. He is 1-2 this season with a 5.89 earned run average in 40 appearances, largely one-inning stints. That is exactly what the Cardinals need. Trevor Rosenthal has the ninth inning sewn up, and Steve Cishek can either set up or spell Rosenthal on a day when the main closer is unable to perform.

Collymore is a second base and outfield prospect who was drafted in the 10th round back in 2013. With Kolten Wong safely holding down second base, Collymore’s path to the bigs is likely blocked for the foreseeable future, which made a trade work out better.

Sure, I’d like Broxton’s numbers to be down a little. He had an ERA under 3.00 a year ago and that is the number the Cardinals hope to see. For now, the team will take anything it can get because it has more help in the bullpen.