The trade deadline is in a little more than 25 hours, but the chaos has already begun. The Cleveland Indians are sending starting pitcher Justin Masterson to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for minor league outfielder James Ramsey.
Confirmed: #STLCards get Justin Masterson for OF James Ramsey. First reported by @pgammo.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 30, 2014
The 29-year old Masterson will be a free agent at the end of the year, and has a 5.51 ERA in 98 innings for Cleveland this year. In 2013, Masterson shined, pitching to a 3.99 ERA in 200 innings with the Tribe. The team tried to sign him to a contract extension this winter, but failed, likely helping necessitate the trade after his struggles this season. He was making $9.8 million this season.
Ramsey is a 24-year old outfielder who was hitting .300/.389/.527 with 13 homers in 67 games with AA Springfield. He was the 23rd overall pick in the 2012 Draft by the Cardinals, and was a consensus top ten prospect in the organization this winter.
