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Athletics Acquire Josh Lucas From Cardinals

By Kyle Downing | March 31, 2018 at 11:09am CDT

The Cardinals and Athletics have swapped a pair of right-handers. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports that reliever Josh Lucas is headed to the A’s, with the Cardinals receiving minor-league starter Casey Meisner in exchange.

The 27-year-old Lucas made his majors debut last season with St. Louis, tossing 7 1/3 relief innings across five appearances. He struck out seven hitters and walked four while allowing three earned runs. Across the past two seasons in the Cardinals’ farm system, the righty posted a K/9 north of 10 and a ground ball rate of nearly 50%. He has 49 career MiLB saves, but was designated for assignment by the Cards earlier this week, a move that came as something of a surprise considering that Lucas seems to carry some upside.

The towering 6’7″ Meisner had a solid showing with the A’s High-A affiliate last season, posting a 3.98 ERA with 9.64 K/9. However, he struggled a bit upon a midseason promotion to Double-A; after that point, the 22-year-old averaged fewer than five innings per start while seeing his walk rate nearly double and his strikeout rate plummet to 5.64 K/9. Meisner was selected by the Mets in the third round of the 2013 draft, and subsequently traded to the A’s in exchange for reliever Tyler Clippard.

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Oakland Athletics St. Louis Cardinals Transactions Casey Meisner Josh Lucas

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41 Comments

  1. bjkitrel

    7 years ago

    Blockbuster!

    Reply
    • saramedina5655

      7 years ago

      They just set up a place to live for the season and now they have to move. Bummer.

      Reply
  2. calikid13

    7 years ago

    Just a swap

    Reply
    • Patick L

      7 years ago

      Winning!

      Reply
  3. jorge78

    7 years ago

    They just set up a place to live for the season and now they have to move. Bummer.

    Reply
  4. oaksbossko

    7 years ago

    I like this trade. Lucas has nice k/BB ratio and is major league ready.

    Reply
  5. Cardinals17

    7 years ago

    Maybe Martinez needs to be placed back in the bullpen to get his head screwed on straight. Great talent, but definitely not a number 1 starter. Right now, until he settles down his hyper activity, non focused attitude, he’s not even a starter the Cards can count on.

    Reply
    • Cardinals17

      7 years ago

      It’s a shame about Martinez, because he has all of the tools to be a dominant starter.

      Reply
      • robertj53086

        7 years ago

        Agreed

        Reply
    • Birdman1182

      7 years ago

      love his potential but he’s a definite head case. when he’s on he’s spectacular, when he’s off, he’s spectacularly bad

      Reply
    • holecamels35

      7 years ago

      One start, need I repeat that, one start! Calm down. I’ll gladly take him off your hands as a Pirates fan.

      2
      Reply
      • cards81

        7 years ago

        It’s not one start….it’s was all of last year…he’s a #3-4 starter at best.

        Reply
        • failedstate

          7 years ago

          Wait are we talking about Carlos Martinez? Fans have such a warped sense of talent — in both directions. Martinez was very good last year and will be very good this year. He’s a front of the rotation pitcher. Your 3/4 assessment is grossly off. Stop judging a pitchers rotation placement on fantasy baseball terms. With the exception of very few teams, he’s a solid 1/2 w/ true ace upside. Cool all your jets and just enjoy how talented he is. #BestFans

          1
          Reply
        • cards81

          7 years ago

          Talent gets you so far…Carlos Martinez has tons of it…this he is an ace or the potential to be an ace has run its course…he either can step up and prove it or you can by his stats which is proves h is a #3-4 pitcher

          Reply
        • STLCards33

          7 years ago

          Look at his career numbers you absolute buffoon. And don’t forget he’s still only 26. A number 3/4 guy? You’re grossly ignorant

          Reply
        • cards81

          7 years ago

          Lol ok I can take name calling…he was 12-11 record and 3.84 Era plus 2.8 whip last year was horrible…he has never had below a .3 Era…never an above average whip…you can preach he has the talent all you want but he has never done anything with it …he has proven to be an average pitcher…I have looked at his career stats…have you? Don’t worry I’m above name calling especially when you obviously have no clue…look at his career numbers lol they are average at best…yes he is young but has been in the league long enough that he should have proven something else but average numbers…not to mention his last year was his worst…no improvement…lol I don’t care how much talent he has he has to prove he can use it properly

          Reply
        • cards81

          7 years ago

          You need to compare an aces numbers to Martinez numbers…Martinez is an average pitcher…hence 3-4 in line pitcher…and please before you call people names and tell them to check stats, that you need to do that before hand so you don’t look foolish…i will even say you can argue he is a at best a #2 but not in a rotation I want…have a nice evening

          Reply
        • brucewayne

          7 years ago

          Win -lose records are more of a team thing

          Reply
        • cards81

          7 years ago

          I get that Bruce but everyone talks about how talented he is and that makes him an ace for some reason…I admit he is talented but he hasn’t applied that talent to make him a great pitcher or an ace…although record is more of a team thing, I agree; but how many aces out there have a 12-11 record? An ace wins his teams games and should have a great record…that’s hardly the case for Martinez as he is erratic…he can’t get past the first inning without giving up runs and then he actually does pitch better when he gets warmed up…he has a few games a year where he absolutely dominates but that’s about it

          Reply
    • jkim319

      7 years ago

      Reminds me of Carlos Zambrano … so much talent … so easy to get ‘inside his head’

      Reply
  6. arc89

    7 years ago

    like the trade for the A’s they need some relievers in the minors. Meisner needed a change because he has stalled out in the minors for the A’s.

    Reply
    • justin-turner overdrive

      7 years ago

      FYI Lucas is basically an older, further-along version of Meisner.

      Reply
      • arc89

        7 years ago

        I never viewed Meisner anything more than a future injury replacement starter that shuttles between AAA. A’s lack of relievers in the minors fills a big need.

        Reply
  7. RunDMC

    7 years ago

    Loved Lucas in “Sweet Home Alabama”. Maybe being closer to L.A. will revive his career.

    1
    Reply
    • PopeMarley

      7 years ago

      Can’t believe you admitted watching that…

      Reply
      • staxxxxxxxxx

        7 years ago

        Or did he/she admit to being in the movie?

        Reply
  8. bighiggy

    7 years ago

    Disappointing, we lose Lucas and then put Cecil on dl., Losing faith in the decision making. Lucas will be a great reliever, and we still have bud Norris, gonna be a long season. Would rather have Lucas and valera then Norris and cecil. I know valera is a position player but still

    Reply
    • bighiggy

      7 years ago

      Plus to this point our pitchers have given up 11 walks to just 8 strikeouts, terrible. Mets pitchers, 16 strikeouts to 1 walk. Difference in the 2 games so far

      Reply
      • justin-turner overdrive

        7 years ago

        I like how you relegated Noah Syndergaard and Jacob deGrom to just “Mets pitchers” – they’re two of the best in the game! Also the rest of their staff isn’t as good. Please never ever talk in terms of 1.5 game samples ever again.

        1
        Reply
        • bighiggy

          7 years ago

          Yes they are great pitchers, not just mets pitchers. You are looking too far into me saying they are mets pitchers. My point is that Carlos and wacha are the cards 1 and 2 and that’s scary because they are definately not a 1 and 2. I think these first 2 games are just the beginning of what will be a disappointing year as a card fan. The management falls in love with certain players than actually looking at them from an outside perspective. They could have used an Arrieta or a Lynn over a holland or a norris

          1
          Reply
        • failedstate

          7 years ago

          Best fans in the game….

          Reply
        • brucewayne

          7 years ago

          Best idiots in the game ! I love the Cards

          Reply
        • brucewayne

          7 years ago

          and have been a fan for over 50 plus years, but these whiny know-it-all fans are so annoying !

          Reply
        • STLCards33

          7 years ago

          I’m so ashamed of the cardinal fanbase. One half is delusional and the other half is spoiled rotten

          Reply
        • Dotnet22

          7 years ago

          Yes lumping every single fan into 2 categories makes you look really intelligent.

          1
          Reply
        • cards81

          7 years ago

          Yea I love how everyone is condescending and think they are better…please post your resume Brucewayne lol…you’re so much better lol gtfoh

          Reply
  9. dmarcus15

    7 years ago

    we need Dave Duncan to breath life into this staff!

    Reply
    • brucewayne

      7 years ago

      The Cards have a very good pitching coach now in Mike Maddox. It’s his 1st year. Give him a chance!

      Reply
    • brucewayne

      7 years ago

      Plus Duncan is now back with the Chicago White Sox helping that staff!

      Reply
  10. bearcat6

    7 years ago

    Anything you distractors can say that comes remotely close to positive after today’s game? Please share. I saw plenty.

    Reply
    • bearcat6

      7 years ago

      detractors, sorry.

      Reply

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