Cardinals deal Drew and Marrero to Braves for three pitchers

NEW ORLEANS -- Needing run production and a right fielder, the Atlanta Braves were willing to part with pitching and take a chance on J.D. Drew.

The Braves acquired the oft-injured outfielder from the Cardinals along with Eli Marrero on Saturday for former first-round draft picks Jason Marquis and Adam Wainright, and reliever Ray King.

"Adam is our No. 1 pitching prospect and that was tough to do, but under the circumstances we had no choice," Braves general manager John Schuerholz said.

Drew replaces Gary Sheffield, who became a free agent and for weeks has been close to agreement with the New York Yankees.

St. Louis took Drew with the fifth pick of the 1998 amateur draft, but he has been plagued by injuries, never playing more than 135 games in a season. He made five trips to the DL in the last four seasons for a total of 121 days.

Drew, 28, hit .289 last season with 15 homers and 42 RBIs in just 100 games. Atlanta's doctors spoke with the St. Louis doctors before the deal.

"He's been a guy that has been touted with all kinds of talent through the years," Braves manager Bobby Cox said. "Unfortunately, he's had all kinds of injuries."

"Our biggest concern is that he could have his breakout year," Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty said. "It's something we agonized about."

Drew is eligible for free agency after next season and is represented by Scott Boras, whose clients almost always test the market. But he is a Georgia native, and is likely to increase his marketability in Atlanta.

"The fact that he's a south Georgian and still lives in Georgia adds to the equation," Schuerholz said.

Atlanta lost Sheffield and Javy Lopez, who both filed for free agency. Marrero, who can play outfield and catcher, batted .224 with two homers and 20 RBIs in just 107 at-bats last season, missing 101 games because of a torn ligament in his right ankle.