The St. Louis Cardinals acquired right-handed reliever Blaine Boyer from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Triple-A outfielder Brian Barton on Monday.

Boyer appeared in a career-high 76 games for the Braves in 2008, the ninth-most appearances among National League pitchers. The 27-year-old also set career highs for innings pitched with 72 and strikeouts with 67. Additionally, he was among Atlanta's leaders in holds with 14.

Boyer pitched in 1 1/3 innings in three games with the Braves this season, losing his lone decision on April 8 at Philadelphia. He was drafted by Atlanta in the third round of the 2000 First-Year Player Draft. Overall, Boyer has a 6-9 record with a 5.46 ERA in two-plus seasons with the Braves. He is scheduled to join the Cardinals on Tuesday against the Mets.

Barton, 26, was selected by the Cardinals in the Rule 5 Draft in December 2007 and hit .268 with two home runs and 13 RBIs during his rookie season in '08.
The Cards bullpen woes will continue but they really didn't need Barton either. Don't see the Braves needed him either which makes this trade a strange one on the Braves part.