When Ryan Ludwick scored the winning run in Friday night’s 10-inning game against the Pirates, he didn’t know that would be the last mark he’d leave in a Cardinals uniform.

But when it was announced at 11:51 a.m. that the Cardinals, Indians, and Padres had completed a three-way deal that would send Jake Westbrook (6-7, 4.65 ERA) to the Cardinals, Ludwick to the Padres, and prospects to the Indians, that was exactly the case.

The deal for Westbrook was in the works nearly all week, but trading Ludwick came as a surprise to many fans and even Ludwick himself.

As of 11:00 a.m. CT, Ludwick hadn’t heard anything regarding a trade.

But now that the deal is done, it’s hard to see how this deal benefits the Cardinals. Sure they get a quality starter who gives the rotation solid depth, but they also trade away a guy who can hit in the No. 2, 4, or 5 spots in the lineup and provide solid protection and production for a struggling offense.

The Cardinals have had scoring droughts of 20 and 18 innings this season and are 17th in the league in RBIs.

Although the pitching depth is certainly a key for the playoffs, the Cardinals may have a tough time getting past Cincinnati without a lineup that can produce. They trade Ludwick’s .281 batting average, 11 home runs, and 43 RBIs and will most likely be handing the position to upstart Jon Jay.

While Jay has been spectacular lately with .396 average this season with three home runs and 12 RBIs to go along with a .447 on-base percentage, his numbers need to be taken with a grain of salt. His sample size of just 48 games and 111 at-bats is just too small for anyone to “expect” production right away.

That doesn’t mean he can’t become a great player, it’s just a lot of pressure to ask of someone like Jay to fill in full time for a guy like Ludwick who had been a staple in the middle of the lineup for several years.

General manager John Mozeliak has said time and again how he’d like to add a bat before the deadline, so it’s possible that another deal is on the way before the 3 p.m. CT deadline. A trade for a bat seems to be the only way to justify sending Ludwick to another National League pennant contender.

The Official Trade

Cardinals get: Starting pitcher Jake Westbrook and Padres prospect LHP Nick Greenwood (4-4, 4.15 ERA at Single-A Fort Wayne)

Padres get: Outfielder Ryan Ludwick

Indians get: Padres prospect Corey Kluber (6-6, 3.45 ERA at Double-A San Antonio)