The Rockies have acquired Mitchell Boggs from the Cardinals in exchange for international bonus slot money, according to announcements from both clubs. The Cards will get the Rockies' int'l slot bonus No. 4, according to Scott Miller of CBSSports.com (on Twitter), which amounts to $206K, according to Jim Bowden (on Twitter). The Rockies tweet that they have designated pitcher Joe Gardner for assignment to clear space for Boggs on the 40-man roster.
Boggs, 29, hasn't been sharp in 14 and 2/3 innings this season but has a history of doing much better at the big league level. From 2008 to 2012, the right-hander owns a 3.80 ERA with 6.7 K/9 and 3.8 BB/9 fro the Cardinals.
Gardner, 25, posted a 7.01 ERA for Double-A Tulsa in 2013, with 8.77 K/9 and 4.56 BB/9. After pitching mostly as a starter at the Double-A level in 2012, he has served as a reliever in 2013. The Rockies acquired Gardner from the Indians in 2011 in the Ubaldo Jimenez deal. Troy Renck of the Denver Post noted earlier today (via Twitter) that Gardner was on waivers.
The Cardinals get a significant bump in space to spend on international prospects, as they entered the period with just $2.06MM in total, according to BA. The list of Cardinals international signees already includes Venezuelan outfielder Carlos Talavera ($500K) and Dominican shortstop Hector Linares ($400K).
Charlie Wilmoth contributed to this post.
