On Wednesday afternoon, the St. Louis Cardinals acquired right handed reliever Juan Nicasio from the Philadelphia Phillies for infield prospect Eliezer Alvarez. Nicasio, 31, started the 2017 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He became their setup man for their closer. In 65 games for the Pirates, he had an era of 2.85 with 2 saves in 60 innings. He struck-out 60 batters, and walked 18.Last Thursday, the Phillies picked him up off of waivers from the Pirates. He pitched in two games for the Phillies, getting 1 win, and striking out 1 batter. He comes to the Cardinals with a record of 3-5, with 2 saves, 61 strikeouts, 18 walks, 61.1 innings, and an era of 2.79.
Nicasio is in his 7th season in the MLB. His career record is: 35 wins, 37 losses, 4.60 era,
260 games, 82 starts, 3 saves, 558 strikeouts, 230 walks, 618.2 innings, and a whip of 1.41. Other than the Pirates, and Phillies, he's playing for the Colorado Rockies, and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Nicasio won't be eligible for the Cardinals playoff roster, if they make the playoffs. That's because he was picked up by them after August 31. He'll be a free agent at the end of the season. He could be back if he does well, and he should be able to help the Cardinals bullpen.
Alvarez, 22, started the season as the Cardinals 10th best prospect, currently he ranks 19th. He signed with the Cardinals as an international free agent in July 2011. Alvarez, struggled the first two seasons, but then developed into a better player. In his minor league career, he's a .285 hitter, with 330 hits, 82 doubles, 18 triples, 17 home runs, 155 rbi's, and 73 stolen bases.
The Phillies got a pretty good prospect in return for Nicasio. Are the Pirates upset at themselves for letting Nicasio go for nothing? He had been one of their best pitchers out of the bullpen, and he even served as their setup man for their closer. The Cardinals needed bullpen help to try to make a push for the playoffs. A move is better late than never even if it's late.
