06/27/09 11:16 PM ET

Cardinals land versatile DeRosa

Perez, player to be named dealt to Indians

By Matthew Leach / MLB.com

DeRosa, 34, entered Saturday hitting .270 with a .342 on-base percentage and a .457 slugging percentage. He has largely played third base for the Indians and is expected to do the same in St. Louis, but his versatility is one of the traits that makes him appealing to the Cardinals.

“We felt that this deal provided us with an excellent opportunity to improve our team, especially from an offensive standpoint,” Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said in a statement. “We feel our team has the pitching to contend, and if we can get the offense to produce at a more consistent level, then our overall performance should benefit.”

A University of Pennsylvania product, DeRosa bats right-handed — a welcome addition for a club that has struggled against left-handed pitching. He is in the final year of a three-year deal that pays him a guaranteed $5.5 million in 2009.

Perez, who turns 24 next month, is a hard-throwing reliever once believed to be the Cardinals’ closer of the future. In 29 appearances this year, he is 1-1 with a 4.18 ERA, 30 strikeouts and 15 walks in 23 2/3 innings.

DeRosa will wear uniform No. 7 and is expected to join the Cardinals in time for their Sunday game at home against the Twins.

Matthew Leach is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs..com