MLB News: Miami Marlins Trade Steve Cishek To St. Louis Cardinals

With the non-waiver trade deadline one week away, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ search for pitching is entering the home stretch. As expected, they’ve been tied to several starting pitchers while their interest in adding a reliever has also been documented.

So far this season the Dodgers’ bullpen has combined for a 3.63 ERA, which is 19th in the Majors. That likely played a role in the Dodgers’ interest in acquiring former Miami Marlins closer Steve Cishek. However, they won’t be the right-hander’s next team as he instead is heading to the St. Louis Cardinals, the Marlins announced:

The #Marlins have acquired minor league closer RHP Kyle Barraclough from @Cardinals in exchange for RHP Steve Cishek. pic.twitter.com/3OJQOMTOg4

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) July 24, 2015

Cishek began the season as the Marlins closer but quickly lost the job after blowing four of seven save attempts. Since his removal from the closer position, he’s rebounded with a 1.31 ERA. Although Cishek holds an inflated 4.50 overall ERA, his FIP is over one point lower at 3.44. Last season, Cishek averaged 11.57 strikeouts per nine innings en route to recording a career-high 39 saves.

The first two months of the season were the most difficult for the sidearm pitcher but he has improved greatly over June and July. His base on ball percentage dropped to 7.4 percent and opponents batting average dropped to a season low .182 in July.

Cishek now joins the team with the best record in baseball and one that also boasts arguably the top bullpen. The Cardinals bullpen ranks second in the Majors with a 2.37 ERA. Cishek joins Scott Kazmir among pitchers the Dodgers had interest in, only for them to be dealt to another team.

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