Desperate for left-handed relief, the Cardinals have traded popular super-sub Joe McEwing to the Mets for 42-year old Jesse Orosco. The Cards were forced to make the move when they learned that lefty Scott Radinsky will start the year on the disabled list. Radinsky has not recovered from shoulder surgery as quickly as the team hoped he would. Orosco has more than 18 years of big league experience, and has appeared in more games, 1,090, than any other pitcher. He is 84-75 lifetime, with a 3.03 ERA and 141 saves. Orosco is especially tough on left-handed hitters. McEwing became a fan favorite last year because of his non-stop hustle, but he may not have made the club this spring. The Cardinals have six spots on the bench. One will go the backup catcher. Shawon Dunston, Brian McRae and Craig Paquette are almost guaranteed spots. That means seven players, McEwing, Adam Kennedy, Placido Polanco, Thomas Howard, Dante Powell, Larry Sutton and Eduardo Perez, were fighting for two spots.
