Khalil Greene spent over five seasons with San Diego. (Morry Gash/Associated Press)The St. Louis Cardinals traded for Khalil Greene on Thursday night, hoping it will provide a fresh start for the erstwhile San Diego shortstop.
The Padres get minor league right-hander Mark Worrell and a prospect to be named later.
Greene, 29, suffered through the worst of his five seasons in the majors, all with San Diego. He struck out 100 times in just 105 games, with 10 home runs, 35 runs batted in and a .213 average.
His season ended prematurely when he fractured his left hand in early August, throwing a punch in frustration at a storage chest in the dugout after striking out.
In 2007, he set career highs in home runs (27), RBIs (97) and doubles (44). The previous season he batted .320.
Greene is decent with the glove, with 65 errors in 648 career games, the majority in the first half of his career .
"I would like to take this opportunity to let everyone know that I am both excited and honoured to have a chance to play and contribute for such a storied franchise as the St. Louis Cardinals," Greene said in a statement.
"The tradition in St. Louis speaks for itself and I am hopeful to be a strong contributor."
He is scheduled to make $6.5 million US in the last of a two-year deal.
The Cardinals had opted not to retain Cesar Izturis, who was their No. 1 shortstop the past season.
With files from the Associated Press
