MIAMI -- In exploring the market for bullpen help, the Cardinals found a willing trade partner in the White Sox, who flipped left-hander Zach Duke to St. Louis on Sunday for Minor League outfielder Charlie Tilson. The move came a little more than 24 hours ahead of the non-waiver Trade Deadline.
Duke, 33, has made an American League-leading 53 appearances this season and posted a 2.63 ERA and 1.25 WHIP over 37 1/3 innings. The Cardinals will have him under contract through 2017, a season in which he is due $5.5 million. Duke is making $5 million this year.
The White Sox have used Duke largely in a setup role, not as a lefty specialist. In fact, Duke has limited right-handed batters to a .182 average and .658 OPS, while lefties have hit .264 and posted a .646 OPS against him. Since the start of July, Duke has allowed two earned runs in 13 appearances.
The Cardinals are expected to feature him as a bridge to their setup relievers Kevin Siegrist and Jonathan Broxton. The club has played the majority of the season with one left-hander in the 'pen.
Duke reinvented himself into an effective reliever after a mediocre career as a starting pitcher with the Pirates. From 2005-10, he went 45-70 with a 4.54 ERA in 159 starts for Pittsburgh. Pitching exclusively in relief the last three seasons, Duke has posted a 2.87 ERA.
Tilson, 23, was added to the Cardinals' 40-man roster last November, but never made an appearance with the big league team. A second-round pick in the MLB Draft, Tilson hit .282 with four homers and 34 RBIs in 100 Triple-A games this season.
Jenifer Langosch has covered the Cardinals for MLB.com since 2012, and previously covered the Pirates from 2007-11. Read her blog, follow her on Twitter, like her Facebook page and listen to her podcast. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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