Cardinals Trade Edmundo Sosa for Lefty JoJo Romero

photo: JoJo Romero (Dilip Vishwanat/USA TODAY Sports)

St. Louis Cardinals press release

The St. Louis Cardinals have made a trade with the Philadelphia Phillies with the Cardinals acquiring left-handed pitcher JoJo Romero in exchange for infielder Edmundo Sosa. Romero will report to Memphis (AAA) and infielder Paul DeJong will be activated off the Cardinals taxi squad to the Major League roster for tonight’s game.

Romero, 25, was the Phillies 4th round selection in the 2016 Major League draft out of Yapavai (AZ) College. The southpaw has appeared in 25 games with Philadelphia since he made his debut in 2020, compiling a 7.89 ERA over 21.2 innings with 19 strikeouts. He made a career-high 12 appearances with the Phillies in 2020 and recently made two appearance this season after recovering from left elbow surgery.

JoJo Romero

Sosa, 26, was originally signed by the Cardinals as an international free agent out of Panama City, Panama in 2012. He appeared in 177 Major League games since his debut in 2018 and batted .245 with six home runs and 35 RBI.

Edmundo Sosa

DeJong, 28, will turn 29 next Tuesday, and was traveling with the Cardinals as a member of their Taxi Squad in Washington D.C. He played in 24 games with St. Louis after beginning the year on the Opening Day roster. The six-year Major League veteran played in 51 games in Memphis (AAA) batting ,249 with 17 HR and 54 RBI. He is currently three home runs shy of 100 for his MLB career.

Brian Walton’s take

Some observers expected the Cardinals to deal from their middle infield at the deadline, but Sosa was not the name mentioned most often. The former prospect was clearly a major leaguer, but not consistently good enough with the bat to be a starter. Being out of minor league options meant that the Cardinals had to keep Sosa in the majors without exposing him to waivers.

After scuffling with St. Louis in April and with Memphis in May, DeJong has been especially strong in July, slashing .366/.471/.854/1.325 with six home runs and 18 RBI in just 11 games.

Paul DeJong

With Nolan Gorman having been in a slump recently, DeJong could receive some starting time with Tommy Edman sliding back to second base. Brendan Donovan may also play less.

Romero has a career 7.89 ERA in 25 games with the Phillies this season and last. Primarily a starter in the minors, his Triple-A ERA is 6.40 in 18 games, 13 starts. 43 strikeouts and 35 walks and a .304 batting average against in 57 2/3 innings at Triple-A are not overwhelmingly positive.

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