Cardinals And Padres Swap Jay For Gyorko

On day 2 of the winter meetings in Nashville, Tennessee the St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Padres started things off with a trade. The Cardinals dealt centerfielder Jon Jay to the San Diego Padres for infielder Jedd Gyorko and cash considerations. Jay, 30, has been with the Cardinals since 2010. The Cardinals are loaded with outfielders right now, and Jay may not have had enough playing time. In San Diego, Jay gets a fresh start and he can either platoon with Melvin Upton Jr, or slot in a corner role either in leftfield or rightfield. Jay is a like-able player for a team, and tends to be liked by fans. Until this season he, had always been pretty much a .300 hitter for his career.

Jay battled a wrist injury in 2015, which hurt his play. One of the downsides on Jay is that he doesn't have much power, and his arm isn't that great. He'll give 100% if healthy. He's been in the MLB for 6 seasons. Jay's career's stats are: 757 games played, 325 runs, 676 hits, 113 doubles, 14 triples, 29 home runs, 227 rbi's, 43 stolen bases, 185 walks, and a batting average of .287. He'll be a free agent after the season.

The Padres tend to like former Cardinals centerfielders. Over the past seasons the Padres have traded for Ray Lankford, Jim Edmonds, and now Jon Jay.

Who is Jedd Gyorko? What do the Cardinals get in him?

Gyorko, 27, has been with the Padres since 2013. He's been their starting second baseman, even though he can also play shortstop, and third base. He isn't a free agent until at best 2020, he has a $13 million team option or a $1 million buyout. Since 2013 the second baseman who have hit the most home runs in the MLB are: Brian Dozier (69), Robinson Cano (62), Neil Walker (55), and Jedd Gyorko (49).

Gyorko's been in the MLB for 3 seasons. His career's stats are: 364 games played, 133 runs, 309 hits, 58 doubles, 1 triple, 49 home runs, 171 rbi's, 4 stolen bases, 96 walks, and a batting average of .236.

As of right now, it looks like Gyorko will be a super utility player for the Cardinals. The Cardinals seem to have made another by acquiring Gyorko. He can help give Jhonny Peralta rest, and sub for Kolten Wong. And he can even give Matt Carpenter a break, if he needs one. People have been saying the Cardinals need more power and Gyorko adds to that.

Hopefully more moves are to come. Still come holes to fill for the 2016 Cardinals roster.