St. Louis Cardinals acquire John Axford from Milwaukee Brewers

The St. Louis Cardinals have acquired John Axford from the Milwaukee Brewers.
Aug 28, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher John Axford (59) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the eighth inning at PNC Park. The Pittsburgh Pirates won 7-1. Image Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
I’m just as confused as everyone else is. The right-handed reliever has been acquired by the Cardinals in exchange for a player to be named later. The 30-year-old will wear jersey #34 and is expected to be in Pittsburgh today.

“John is a reliever that offers experience as both a set-up man and closer,” Cardinals Senior Vice President/General Manager John Mozeliak said in a statement. “He’s also a pitcher who brings familiarity with the N.L. Central, pennant race baseball and the postseason.”

Axford led the NL with 46 saves back in 2011 when the Brewers won the National League Central. This season, the reliever is 6-7 with a 4.45 ERA and 19 holds through 54.2 innings pitched in 62 games. During the 2011 NLCS, the pitcher was 1-0 with three saves and a 1.29 ERA in six games pitched in the postseason run.

His 106 career saves rank 22nd amongst active players. In 268 games, Axford holds a career 21-19 record with a 3.35 ERA. At Busch stadium, the Canadian owns a perfect 9/9 record with a 1.69 ERA in 16 games.

In a stretch from May 15 to July 24th of this season, he held opponents scoreless in 31 of 32 appearances.

The last trade between the two clubs came just over 10 years ago on August 22, 2003 when the Cards acquired Mike DeJean for two players to be named later. The players sent over were Mike Crudale and John Novinsky.