Brendan Ryan
The St. Louis Cardinals traded last year’s shortstop, Brendan Ryan, to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for 21 year old pitching prospect Maikel Cleto.
Ryan hit just .223 last season trying to come back from wrist surgery and a new approach to hitting under first year coach Mark McGwire. His struggles at the plate carried over to some shaky defense at times and with both offensive and defensive production sliding, the Cardinals felt they needed to make a move. Heading into spring training it looks like newly acquired Ryan Theriot will be the starting shortstop.
Cleto went 4-9 with a 6.16 ERA with 83 strikeouts in 102.1 innings.
