ST. LOUIS — As the trade deadline approached, the Cardinals had their eyes open for starting pitching at what they considered the right price and the awareness they might use the deadline to tune their roster a little bit.
In twos deal they got elements of both.
The Cardinals added veteran lefties Jon Lester and J.A. Happ in separate trades close to Friday's deadline. The team announced the Happ deal, and a source confirmed the Lester deal shortly after the deadline passed. The Cardinals sent reliever John Gant as part of the deal to get Happ, and they reportedly sent Lane Thomas to Washington for Lester.