photo: Nick Robertson (Ron Chenoy/USA TODAY Sports)
St. Louis Cardinals release
The St. Louis Cardinals announced today (Friday, December 8) that they have acquired right-handed pitchers Nick Robertson and Victor Santos from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for outfielder Tyler O’Neill.
Robertson, 25, will be added to the team’s 40-player Major League roster, while Santos, 23, will be assigned to the minors.
“As we look to add pitching depth, as well as address concerns on potential playing time in the outfield, we felt this deal worked well in addressing both of those issues,” said Cardinals’ President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak. “We are excited to add Nick to our bullpen, and we feel Victor gives us added depth in our minor league system.”
The 6-6, 265-pound Robertson debuted in 2023 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the team that selected him in the 2019 MLB Draft (7th round) out of James Madison University. He was traded to the Red Sox on July 25, 2023 in a three-player swap that sent Kiké Hernández to Los Angeles.
Used primarily as a reliever, Robertson has fanned 231 batters over his 184.2 innings pitched as a professional, including 26 in his 22.1 combined innings as a rookie this past season for the Dodgers and Red Sox.
In Triple-A last season, Robertson struck out 58 batters in 42.2 combined innings between Oklahoma City and Worcester.
Santos, a native of Villa Tapia, Dominican Republic was originally signed as an international free agent by Philadelphia in November, 2016. He was traded to Boston in July of 2021 and earned a non-roster invite to the Red Sox Major League spring training camp this past February.
The 6-1, 222-pound Santos missed the 2023 season due to arm discomfort, but has been pitching recently in the Dominican Republic Winter League (LIDOM) for Leones Del Escogido, posting a 3-0 mark with a 2.96 ERA in seven games (5 starts).
Santos combined for 145.0 innings pitched in 2022 between the Portland Sea Dogs (AA) and Worcester Red Sox (AAA), going 10-12 with a 1.27 WHIP in his 29 games (25 starts).
Brian Walton’s take
The Cardinals had made it clear that O’Neill was going to be traded. That left the only questions to be, when, to where and for whom. Now we know.
Robertson reportedly hits 95 mph with his fastball and also relies on a changeup. His third pitch is a slider that is rarely used. Robertson’s MLB ERA is 6.04 and he has two minor league options remaining.
As noted, Santos missed 2023 with an elbow injury, but is currently pitching well in winter ball, a fact which the Cardinals were likely well aware.
St. Louis will achieve net savings of about $5.5 million in 2024. O’Neill is arbitration eligible so his actual salary will be decided via that process. Lars Nootbaar is the likely 2024 starter for the Cardinals in O’Neill’s former left field spot.
The Cardinals’ 40-man roster remains full, with O’Neill coming off and Robertson going on.
Here at The Cardinal Nation, Robertson has been placed on St. Louis’ roster with Santos at Memphis. The Triple-A rotation is already crowded, so it remains to be seen what role Santos plays in 2024.
For more
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