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Jedd Gyorko (photo/San Diego Padres)

The Cardinals announced at Day Two of Baseball’s Winter Meetings that they have acquired infielder Jedd Gyorko (pronounced Jerk-oh) and cash considerations from the San Diego Padres in exchange for outfielder Jon Jay.

Gyorko, 27, who is under contract thru 2019. He was a National League Rookie of the Year finalist in 2013 and has batted .236 with 49 home runs and 171 RBI in 364 career games.  He does have some pop in his bat, ranking 4th among active Major League second basemen in HR’s since debuting in 2013.

The right-handed hitting Gyorko hit a career-high 23 home runs during his 2013 rookie campaign, setting the Padres single-season record for home runs by a second baseman while batting .249 with 63 RBI.  According to the Cardinals’ press release, he was the first San Diego rookie to lead the team in HR’s since former St. Louisan Nate Colbert did so in 1969.

In 128 games this past season, Gyorko hit .247 with 16 homers and 57 RBI, appearing at second base, shortstop and first base.   Over his three seasons with the Padres, Gyorko has played 319 games at second base, 29 at shortstop and 13 at third base.   He ranked 2nd among N.L. second basemen in fielding pct. (.992) in 2014.

The 30 year old Jay has been with the Cardinals since his draft selection in 2006 and was on the Cardinals’ World Series teams in both 2011 & 2013.  Jay hit just .210 in 2015 while appearing in just 79 games as he battled injuries.