The Cardinals have acquired 27-year old righty reliever Blaine Boyer from the Braves for 26-year old righty swinging outfielder Brian Barton. Boyer pitched in 3 games (0 starts) for the Braves this season and he was 0-1 with a 40.50 ERA and a 4.50 WHIP. Boyer has pitched in 129 games (0 starts) in his 5-year major league career and he is 6-9 with 1 save, a 5.46 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP. Barton played in 82 games last season for the Cardinals and he was 41 for 153 (.268 avg, .746 OPS) with 23 runs scored, 2 homers, 13 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. Barton got off to a slow start in AAA-ball this year as he played in 10 games in which he was 3 for 28 (.107 avg, .326 OPS) with 2 runs scored, 1 RBI and 3 stolen bases. This was a good trade for both teams as the Cardinals needed bullpen help and the Braves needed an outfielder.

UPDATE: The Cardinals have lost Blaine Boyer on waivers to the Diamondbacks. Boyer pitched in 15 games (0 starts) for the Cardinals this season and he was 0-0 with a 4.41 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP.

The Cardinals have placed 33-year old righty starting pitcher Chris Carpenter on the 15-day disabled list with a torn oblique muscle. Carpenter has started 2 games this season for the Cardinals and he is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA and a 0.70 WHIP. He has now pitched in 100 games (99 starts) in his 6-year career with the Cardnals and he is 52-20 with a 3.06 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. Carpenter worked so hard to get his arm back in shape that this is likely a devastating injury for him. The Cardinals need Carpenter to get well soon if they want to make a move in the division.

30-year old righty swinging Ryan Ludwick had a monster season in 2008 for the Cardinals. He played in 152 games for the Cardinals in 2008 and he was 161 for 538 (.299 avg, .966 OPS) with 104 runs scored, 37 homers and 113 RBIs. Ludwick only made 2 errors in 124 games in RF last season while he showed good range. He also showed off a good throwing arm with 10 assists for the Cardinals from RF last season. Ludwick’s numbers came from out of the blue last season so many are wondering if he’s a fluke or not. One thing to remember is that Ludwick was always a highly thought of prospect but he always was had injury problems. If he stays healthy in 2009 I think he’ll have another huge season for the Cardinals.

26-year old righty swinging Joe Mather will be Ludwick’s caddy in 2009 if he’s not the starting 3B while Troy Glaus is out. Mather played in 54 games for the Cardinals last season and he was 32 for 133 (.241 avg, .780 OPS) with 20 runs scored, 8 homers and 18 RBIs. Mather didn’t make any errors in 15 games in RF for the Cardinals last season while showing good range.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: A-

29-year old lefty swinging outfielder Rick Ankiel will get a chance to build on his solid 2008 season. He played in 120 games for the Cardinals last season and he was 109 for 413 (.264 avg, .843 OPS) with 65 runs scored, 25 homers and 71 RBIs. Ankiel made 5 errors in 89 games in CF last season for the Cardinals while showing below average range. Look for Ankiel to prove that 2008 wasn’t a fluke with another solid season in 2009 for the Cardinals.

Joe Mather will be Ankiel’s back up in 2009. He played in 15 games in CF last season for the Cardinals and he made 1 error while showing slightly above average range.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: C+

22-year old lefty swinging Colby Rasmus should get his shot in 2009 to show the Cardinals what he can do. Rasmus is penciled in as the starting LF for the Cardinals. He is the #1 prospect for the Cardinals according to Baseball America. Rasmus played in 96 games last season in Rookie+A+AAA ball and he was 88 for 349 (.252 avg, .752 OPS) with 58 runs scored, 12 homers, 38 RBIs and 15 stolen bases. Rasmus has a great upside but the Cardinals probably won’t let him stay up in the majors if he struggles.

27-year old lefty swinging Chris Duncan will probably make the team as a back up in 2009. He played in 76 games for the Cardinals last season and he was 55 for 222 (.248 avg, .711 OPS) with 26 runs scored, 6 homers and 27 RBIs. He has now played in 302 games in his major league career with a .266 batting average and a .840 OPS so he could rebound with the bat in 2009. Duncan played in 43 games in LF last season for the Cardinals making 2 errors and showing above average range.

Joe Mather will also get a chance in LF if Rasmus struggles. He played in 25 games in LF for the Cardinals last season without making any errors while showing outstanding range there.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: C-