Cardinals Send Kelley and Craig to Red Sox for Lackey

It may not have been the Red Sox St. Louis fans were hoping for, but the deal to bring John Lackey to the Cardinals will help bolster the team's rotation.

Rumors ran rampant across the internet as recently as yesterday that St. Louis was in play as a possible landing spot for pitcher Jon Lester, however that won't be the case as he will travel across the country to play for the team with the best record in baseball, the Oakland A's.

With Lester no longer an option, the Cardinals went after Lackey who brings with him an 11-7 record and a 3.60 ERA in exchange for outfielder Alex Craig and right-hand pitcher Joe Kelly.

Financially, the deal for Lackey works well for the Cards as the pitcher will only be owed a $500,000 salary in 2015 due to a clause in his contract that adds an extra year in the event he required Tommy John surgery at any point during the duration of the agreement. Lackey underwent the procedure in 2011 and missed the entire 2012 season.

The addition of Lackey along with Justin Masterson who the team received in a trade with the Indians on Wednesday should add nice depth to a pitching rotation that includes All-Star Adam Wainwright and Lance Lynn.