Cardinals Trade for Braves’ Jason Heyward

JASON HEYWARD to the Cards (photo Jason Getz / USA TODAY Sports)

The St. Louis Cardinals addressed a glaring need, both offensively and defensively, today. Looking for an offensive boost, the Cards added outfielder Jason Heyward in a trade with the Atlanta Braves. The Cardinals also added reliever Jordan Walden.

The Braves receive two right handers, Shelby Miller and Tyrell Jenkins. Miller, Baseball Prospectus’ 10th rated prospect in 2012, struggled early in 2014 before putting it all together. In each of his two full seasons with the Cardinals, Miller has tallied double-digit wins while posting a sub-3.75 ERA.

The Cardinals have an abundance of young pitching and are looking to increase offensive production. Heyward has dealt with injury over the last two seasons. He appeared in just 104 games in 2013. Although he only missed 13 games in 2014, numbers would indicate that he was never truly back to 100% health. He suffered a broken jaw in 2013 after being hit by a pitch. The Cardinals hope that Heyward can return to the 27 HR and 82 RBI guy that helped power the Braves in 2012.