Cardinals acquire infielder Ryan Theriot from Dodgers

The Cardinals have acquired middle infielder Ryan Theriot from the Dodgers in exchange for pitcher Blake Hawksworth, according to ESPN Los Angeles. The Dodgers were expected to non-tender Theriot after landing infielder Juan Uribe via free agency, but the Cardinals bolstered their infield and potentially the top of the order if he can return to the numbers he put up with the Cubs. 

The one advantage the Cardinals gain from this trade is that Theriot has played his entire career, albeit the second of last season, in the NL Central. He is only a lifetime .220 hitter in Busch Stadium but has hit well elsewhere in the division, including a 297 career average at Wrigley Field. 

Hawksworth, who posted a 4-8 record with a 4.98 ERA in 45 this past season, was much better in 2009 when he posted a 2.09 ERA in 30 games. If he can return to those numbers, he would greatly bolster the Dodgers bullpen.