Cardinals & Red Sox announce trade; Veteran John Lackey added to Redbirds pitching ranks
SAN DIEGO, Calif., July 31, 2014 - The St. Louis Cardinals announced this afternoon that they have acquired veteran right-handed starting pitcher John Lackey, minor league left-handed pitcher Corey Littrell and cash considerations from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for pitcher Joe Kelly and outfielder Allen Craig. Lackey joins right-hander Justin Masterson who was acquired yesterday from Cleveland in a newly-fortified Cardinals starting rotation.
Lackey, 35, is among the American League leaders in wins (11) this season and has posted a 3.60 ERA in his 21 starts (11-7, 3.60 ERA). He owns a career mark of 149-114 with a 4.02 ERA between the Angels (2002-09) and Red Sox (2010-14). The 6-6, 235-pound Lackey is 6-5, 3.03 ERA career in postseason play, making 19 appearances.
Littrell, 22, was the Red Sox 5th round draft selection in 2013 out of the University of Kentucky. The 6-3, 185-pound lefty was 5-5 with a 3.60 ERA in 19 games (18 starts) for Salem of the Carolina League (A).