As they head toward the start of spring training, the Cardinals planned to fortify their roster with some depth moves, for the infield and, as they did Wednesday morning, for the bullpen.
They went for height and power in a trade with the Phillies.
The Cardinals acquired Johan Quezada, a 6-foot-9 righthander, from Philadelphia in exchange for cash considerations. Quezada, 26, joins the Cardinals' 40-man roster, and brings its total to 38.
The righthander made the leap from High-A Fort Myers in 2019 to the majors with the Miami Marlins in late 2020, and in his three appearances for Miami averaged 97.5 mph on his fastball. He has the classic slider-fastball mix to go with size that gravitates toward relief and the need for greater command to thrive there.
Since Quezada's All-Star turn for Minnesota's High-A affiliate in the Florida State League in 2019, he has been with three teams. He signed with Miami as a minor-league free agent, vaulted to the majors this past September, and then was plucked off waivers by the Phillies as the Marlins tightened their roster in late October.
In his three appearances in the majors, Quezada allowed four hits, three runs and one walk against two strikeouts.
He asserted himself as a reliever in 2019 with the Twins' Fort Myers, Fla., club, and was 7-2 with a 3.44 ERA in 33 relief appearances. He struck out 49, and allowed 50 hits and 28 walks in 52 1/3 innings.
The trade was announced by the Cardinals' player development team on Twitter.
On Tuesday, Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said he expected some non-roster moves in the days leading to the start of spring training Feb. 17 in Jupiter, Fla. The Cardinals have discussed their wish to add depth to the middle infield and competition for utility roles at the major-league and Class AAA levels.
Quezada's power makes him similar to Junior Fernandez, Johan Oviedo and some other relievers the Cardinals will audition for roles in the bullpen this season.
The Cardinals do not need to fill their 40-man roster before spring training begins and can reserve those spots for additions during camp, such as internal options who win opening-day jobs or outside additions.
