UPDATE: After a bit of confusion, here's the finanacial breakdown from FOX Sport's Ken Rosenthal.
Clarification: Gyorko owed $33M. #STLCards taking on $26M. Not including Jay's salary, #Padres save nearly $20M over next four years.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 8, 2015
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UPDATE: Both clubs have announced the trade.
Official: The #Padres acquire OF Jon Jay from Cardinals; send INF Jedd Gyorko and cash to St. Louis: https://t.co/aNC95lulZI
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) December 8, 2015
St. Louis Cardinals acquire Padres INF Jedd Gyorko and cash considerations for OF Jon Jay.
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) December 8, 2015
...and the Padres are reportedly sending $17 million to the Cardinals in the deal.
The #Padres are sending the $Stlcards about $17 million in the Jedd Gyorko deal. He has $32 million left in his contract.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 8, 2015
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The San Diego Padres have been trying to trade second baseman Jedd Gyorko and the remaining $33 million on his contract since last offseason. Based on the latest rumors, it appears they've found a suitor in the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday.
According to FOX Sports' Jon Morosi, the Cardinals and Padres are nearing a deal that would send Gyorko to St. Louis. It's unknown why the Cardinals would make such a trade considering Gyorko's two positions - second and third base - are currently occupied by Kolten Wong and Matt Carpenter.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post confirmed the deal and ESPN's Keith Law added that the Padres are getting outfielder Jon Jay in return. Jay will earn $6.85 million in his final year before hitting free agency.
Perhaps the Cards have bigger plans in mind, but as of right now this is a very surprising move.
Sherman wonders if the Cardinals are going to use Wong as trade bait to acquire a starter, as the young infielder is likely an attractive player to a number of MLB clubs.
Gyorko, 27, is under a five-year, $35 million contract and is signed through 2019. He also has a $13 million team option for 2020 or a $1 million buyout. However, after signing that big deal following his breakout rookie season in 2013, Gyorko has failed to live up to the money.
He batted just .210/.280/.33 with 37 runs scored, 10 home runs and 51 RBI in 111 games back in 2014 (he battled injuries that year) and was not an everyday player in 2015. His numbers were an improvement from the season prior, but his salary figures in 2018 ($9 million) and 2019 ($13 million) seem to be a huge concern at this point.
Stay tuned for updates once more information is made available.
