Report: Cardinals players unhappy about trading Allen Craig, Joe Kelly
A number of St. Louis Cardinals players are unhappy with the decision to trade right-handed pitcher Joe Kelly and outfielder/first baseman Allen Craig, reports Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal.
The Cardinals sent the pair to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for starting pitcher John Lackey on Thursday, the day of MLB's trade deadline.
Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak acknowledged that it was the type of deal that could shake up what was a tightly-knit clubhouse.
"I would definitely say (the trade) was definitely something that surprised some people," Mozeliak told Fox Sports. "When you have a young team, sometimes you don't see these types of trades happening while you're competing. It caught some people off-guard. But time will heal all wounds."
Kelly and Craig have been significant contributors for the Cardinals the last several years, including last season's National League pennant-winning team. But both have struggled this season. Kelly has pitched in just seven games after missing nearly three months with a hamstring strain. Craig has hit .237 this year, well below the .315 he hit last season.
The Cardinals also traded for Indians starting pitcher Justin Masterson on Wednesday and signed veteran catcher A.J. Pierzynski last weekend to help replace injured starter Yadier Molina.
More: Verducci: Trade deadline lessons
St. Louis entered Friday at 57-50, two games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central and tied for the second Wild Card spot.
- Ben Estes
