Furcal accepts trade to Cardinals

ST. LOUIS –The Cardinals made another splash Saturday evening, acquiring former All-Star shortstop Rafael Furcal from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for Double-A outfielder Alex Castellanos.

The deal was confirmed by both the Dodgers and Cardinals on Sunday morning. The Dodgers acquire up-and-coming star Castellanos while the Cardinals picked up Furcal and cash considerations.

The 33-year-old Furcal, who has been to the playoffs in eight of his previous 11 seasons, has battled injuries for much of the past two seasons in Los Angeles and hit just .197 (27-for-137) in 37 games with the Dodgers this year.

But the 12-year veteran has begun to pick it up of late, hitting .303 (10-for-33) with a .425 on-base percentage in his last nine games. He has five runs scored and two steals in his past six games.

"He's been one of the premier shortstops in the game when he's healthy," said first baseman Albert Pujols. "(Now) we have three guys, Lance (Berkman), Matt (Holliday) and him that used to kill us.

"Furcal, when he's healthy, man, he's a freaking unbelievable player. It will be a blast."

The trade comes just three days after the Cardinals acquired starter Edwin Jackson and relievers Octavio Dotel and Marc Rzepczynski from the Blue Jays in a trade that sent outfielder Colby Rasmus to Toronto.

The Cardinals were able to buy low on Furcal, who is making $12 million this year.  The Dodgers will likely pay part of the roughly $4 million still owed to him this season. His contract includes a hefty club option for next season which the Cardinals will likely decline.

The 2000 Rookie of the Year with Atlanta has a career .283 batting average and .349 on-base percentage in 12 big league seasons, six each with the Braves and Dodgers. He's battled injuries in three of the past four seasons, making it somewhat of a gamble for the Cardinals.

"When he's healthy, he's dynamic," said outfielder Lance Berkman. "He plays great defense, he's a good hitter, fast. If he's what he was a couple years ago from a health standpoint, he's a really good player.

"Whenever the organization is that committed, it is exciting. We still have to do it on the field. They've certainly tried to help us. Now it's up to us."

Furcal, who has stolen 25 bases seven different times in his career, will provide a huge upgrade in the Cardinals leadoff position should he stay healthy.  Since the All-Star break, Cardinals leadoff hitters entered Saturday's game against the Cubs hitting a combined .175 (11-for-63) with a .187 on-base percentage in 14 games.

The Cardinals have used five different players in the leadoff spot in those 14 games and entered Saturday without a walk from the No. 1 spot in the order in 59 straight plate appearances.

"He's a guy that when you're playing against him or just watching him, he's got that energy that you need and that you want at the top of the order," said third baseman David Freese. "I'm sure they are going to check his health but if he's alright, it would be pretty cool to have him."

With the Cardinals' game on Sunday not starting until 7:15 p.m. CT, it's possible Furcal could arrive in St. Louis in time to play.