Nearly every team in contention in the National League had called the Indians regarding free-agent-to-be Mark DeRosa and on Saturday the Tribe struck a deal with Cardinals, sending the versatile veteran to St. Louis.

To acquire the veteran and his 50 RBIs this season the Cardinals sent to Cleveland big-league reliever Chris Perez, who long had been viewed as the Cardinals' closer of future.

In addition, the Indians will receive a player-to-be named later from a list of top prospects from the St. Louis organization. Cleveland will have until season's end to decide which player that will be.

DeRosa, 34, has 13 home runs and a .270 average for the Indians this season. Last year, he set career highs with 21 homers and 87 RBIs for the Chicago Cubs. DeRosa has more than 200 major-league starts at both second base and third base, but he also has experience in the corner outfield positions.

He joins the Cardinals' lineup on Sunday and will bat clean-up.

The Cardinals also have cast their lines out to try to get outfielder Matt Holliday from Oakland but manager Tony La Russa told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, “Let’s enjoy the moment.

“As I’ve said many times, our guys (in the front office) have been trying. If you’re trying, that’s the most you can ask.

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The Reds, who are chasing the first place Cardinals, were also in the mix, but lost out on the deal. While I would have welcomed DeRosa's bat and versatility to the team, I am not sure that giving up two top young players would have been the best move for the young Redlegs, who continue to teeter around .500 on the season yet remain in contention in a weak N.L. Central.

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