ESPN's Tim Kurkjian was the first to report that the Oakland A's have traded OF Matt Holliday and $1.5 million in cash to the Cardinals for 3B prospect Brett Wallace, OF Shane Peterson and pitcher Clayton Mortensen.
This deal solidiifies the Cardinals lineup when you include the addition of Mark DeRosa to a lineup that includes Albert Pujols, Ryan Ludwick, Colby Rasmus and Rick Ankiel. The Cardinals get Holliday when he his hot, as he is hitting .350+ since the All-Star break. With a starting rotation of Adam Wainwright, Chris Carpenter, Kyle Lohse and Joel Piniero, the Cardinals could be the favorite to win the NL Central, and will be a tough team to beat in the playoffs.
For the A's, they get a top hitting prospect in Brett Wallace. Wallace will probably be in the majors come 2010, but does have some trouble defensively at 3B. But the A's could always use him at DH should he become a ral liability in the infield.