Oh ya, Just what the Cardinals needed to help there cause this year to make the playoffs.

Joel Pineiro is just another retread that will only hurt the team more than he will help.

Red Sox deal Pineiro to Cardinals for player to be named later


ST. LOUIS -- The pitching-starved St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday acquired right-hander Joel Pineiro, optioned to the minors last week by the Boston Red Sox, and cash for a minor league player to be named.

Pineiro, 28, was a 16-game winner in 2003. He was used exclusively in relief this year by the Red Sox before being sent to Triple-A Pawtucket on July 25.

Pineiro played seven seasons with the Seattle Mariners before signing a free agent deal with the Red Sox in January. He was 1-1 with a 5.03 ERA in 31 relief appearances for the Red Sox, but had a 3.60 ERA in 16 road appearances covering 15 innings.

The Cardinals' rotation has a 5.50 ERA and is without Mark Mulder and ace Chris Carpenter, who had reconstructive elbow surgery earlier this month. The rotation has included three former relievers, Braden Looper (4.85), Adam Wainwright (4.45) and Brad Thompson (5.15). It also includes Anthony Reyes, Kip Wells and Mike Maroth, who have ERAs above 5.00.

Reyes ended a 12-game losing streak on Saturday and will get at least one more start, probably bumping Maroth later this week.

Pineiro has a career record of 59-56 with a 4.50 ERA in 216 games, including 148 starts. He was 14-7 in 2002 and 16-11 in 2003.