Marlins trade former closer Steve Cishek to Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals are taking a chance on Steve Cishek.

St. Louis acquired the right-handed reliever from the Miami Marlins on Friday in exchange for minor-league right-hander Kyle Barraclough.

Cishek posted a 2.73 ERA and 1.14 WHIP while converting 73 saves from 2013-14, but was removed from the closer's role in mid-May following a fourth blown save and optioned to the minors.

The 29-year-old has rebounded since being recalled on June 12, fashioning a 0.71 ERA to go with 11 strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings while primarily pitching in the seventh inning.

"I'm beyond excited to be a Cardinal," Cishek tweeted. "Such a great organization with an amazing history. It's going to be an honor to wear Cardinal red!"

Cishek joins a strong bullpen that includes Kevin Siegrist, Seth Maness, and Trevor Rosenthal. He's earning $6.650 million in 2015 and is arbitration-eligible for the next two seasons.

Barraclough, the Cardinals' seventh-round pick in the 2012 draft, owns a 3.28 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 24 2/3 innings with Double-A Springfield this season.

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Pittsburgh Pirates also made a pitch for Cishek, accordng to Joe Frisaro of MLB.com.