The Cardinals have designated righty Josh Lucas and infielder Breyvic Valera, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (via Twitter). That’ll open space on the 40-man for the team to select the contracts of reliever Jordan Hicks and catcher Francisco Pena.
It’s a bit of a surprise to see Lucas, who generates whiffs and grounders at solid rates, bounced from the 40-man. He is coming off of a spring showing in which he recorded 11 1/3 scoreless innings with a dozen strikeouts while permitting only four base hits and a pair of walks. Lucas briefly reached the majors last year after throwing sixty frames of 3.15 ERA ball, with 10.2 K/9 and 1.8 BB/9, at the Triple-A level.
As for the 26-year-old Valera, who is mostly a second baseman but has played a variety of other positions as well, he too briefly cracked the bigs last year. Playing at Triple-A for most of the season, he carried a .314/.368/.450 batting line — his best full-season effort as a pro — through 470 plate appearances. Valera showed a big leap in power with eight long balls, topping his career tally to that point. He also walked as much or more than he struck out for the sixth time in eight professional campaigns.
Paging San Diego Padres!
This could be a Pirates claim for Lucas also as they have room on the 40 man roster and can option one of their young relievers to AAA.
It would be partial payment from the Cards for beating the Buccos out three years in a row especially when the Pirates had the next best NL record.
It seems to me also that it is proof that the Cards are loaded with good young players and as such have one of the best organizations in MLB.
I could see that happening.
You forgot to mention how classy they are.
I actually have believed that since they had Donora Pa’s Stan The Man play for them.
Don’t forget the 2nd most WS victories ! Jealous much ?
No,the organization is too classy to rub it in.Not sure about all of their fans though.
Funny how Card fans live in the past when they $ uck in the present. Lol even Yank fans aren’t that desperate that’s pretty pathetic. They been trash the whole decade except for a lucky 2011. While desperare Card fans talk about past WS which 75% they weren’t even alive. I guess if I had a team that was trash like Cheating Cards I live in the past too that no one cares about except for trashy Card fans who have nothing else to talk about these days. Pretty sad.
What is sad is your pathetic means to get attention on mlb trade rumors…I mean it is clear you are seeking attention…everyone knows the Cardinals have had the best record in the NL the past decade…so please seek help
I’m not a fan of the Cardinals in the slightest but Michaelw is a moron.
Dude the cardinals have two losing seasons since 1999.. two..
And four we appearances in the last 14 years..
Attention lol. Only sad Card fan would say and think that. Mad because you can’t except the truth.
In the last 30 years. Please. 1 in a decade 2 in 35 years. Keep looking through you’re scrap book that’s all you have and will ever have. MM n fat MO believe believe. Fill my pockets with money. lol
Uh 2 World Series titles and 4 World Series appearances in the last 14 years. By the way that’s twice as many cub World Series titles than the cubs have in the last 100 or so years little boy.
What truth? The fact that they have the best record in the NL in the past decade? I’m confused…what is the truth lol
Right? I know many many cubs fans just like this guy.. no nothing myopic baby bears.. just wait until the cubs bullpen implodes and they have to trade from their 25 man roster because theo has gutted their system of big time talent. Just wait until Lester falters. Just wait until injuries hit one of Bryant or Rizzo and there is no one to step up and even be replacement level..
Clearly he has no clue…he said the cardinals have been trash the last decade but yet they have the best record in the NL the past decade…all cardinals talk about is the past? That’s funny because most fans I discuss with only talk about all the young great talent coming up and are very optimistic about the future with all the great pitching they have…
Miserable little twerp to be exact!!!!
I could see both getting claimed by the Pirates. Although the roster in AAA is full of middle infielders, the Pirates seem to like this style of player.
Maybe,I am not familiar with either player,but they have room for Lucas on the ML roster and Breyvic may fit better on other teams than the Pirates. I do not think they would carry him on the 25 man roster but may claim him if he has options left.
Braves should be taking advantage of tanking for one more season by bringing some of these guys in. Instead the last 5 on the 25-man are old guys that are barely clinging on to their professional careers. Bourjos, Flaherty, Culberson, Sanchez could all be playing in the independent leagues next year. The major league team nearly lost to the minor league team last night by playing these kinds of players. They’re not even good enough to start on our AAA or even AA teams.
Culberson isn’t that old ! 29 in April !
bud norris should have been released instead of designating lucas
I wouldn’t have had a problem releasing Norris instead. I think my first choice would have been finding an AL trade partner for Voit. I know his type are a dime a dozen right now, but just take a low level gamble and clear the spot and give Voit a chance somewhere else, hes not going to play in St. Louis where Carpenter, Martinez, and Gyorko (Munoz at 3B) should all get time before him.
I could see Voit, with steady playing time batting. 280-.300 with 15-20 dingers a year. I don’t think he was planning on being traded because he bought a house in St. Louis, but that is out of his control obviously.
Gyorko is the Starting 3B ! Munoz is the utility guy!
Yes. But when Martinez gets hurt, then Bader is the first man recalled, when Carpenter needs a day off Gyorko at 1B and Munoz at 3B makes more sense than Munoz playing 1B. So Voit to me is behind a lot of people on the depth chart and was more expendable.
Man I liked Lucas
CA-I would not be surprised if several MLB GM’s share your thought on him.
I think they should have kept Lucas and released bud Norris
White Sox are on the phone! Go get Lucas Rick Hahn!!