MLB Trade Deadline 2011: Leo Nunez and 5 Relievers for the St. Louis Cardinals

I’ve already written about how the St. Louis Cardinals need to get Heath Bell from the San Diego Padres before the trade deadline.

But, if they come up short in the Bell sweepstakes, there are plenty of other guys who could help out the Redbird bullpen.

The Cardinals aren’t going to trade Carlos Martinez or Shelby Miller, their top young pitching prospects, but they still have some available talent in their farm system.

Plus, even though the Cardinals’ front office denies it, it appears Colby Rasmus is available for the right price.

So, without further adieu, let’s take a look at five relievers who could help the St. Louis Cardinals win the National League Central.

5. Rafael Betancourt, Colorado Rockies

Betancourt hasn’t been having a great year, but neither have the Rockies in general.

He has a below average 4.31 ERA. But, he has 42 strikeouts in just less than 40 innings pitched, so he’s been somewhat effective.

He’d certainly be an upgrade over anyone the Cardinals have to pitch the seventh and eighth innings right now.

4. Sergio Santos, Chicago White Sox

Santos has 20 saves for the White Sox.

He also has a whopping 59 strikeouts in just 44 innings pitched.

The White Sox are interested in Rasmus, but they’d probably have to give up a guy like Santos or Mark Buerhle to make the deal happen.

3. Kyle Farnsworth, Tampa Bay Rays

Farnsworth has 19 saves for the Rays, but they are once again stuck behind the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees in the AL East.

Therefore, Farnsworth is available for the right price.

The Cardinals and Rays have been trade partners a lot in the past few years, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see them work out another deal this year.

2. Tyler Clippard, Washington Nationals

The Nationals are reportedly looking for a centerfielder they can keep for a few years.

Rasmus fits that bill, and the Nationals have relievers who can help the Cardinals this year.

Clippard, the All-Star, would be a fair price for the young centerfielder.

He could be a solid eighth inning guy, allowing Fernando Salas to keep his closer job.

1. Leo Nunez, Florida Marlins

Nunez might be the best closer on the market outside of Bell.

He’s saved 28 games for the Marlins this year and has a manageable 3.47 ERA.

The Cardinals could certainly do much worse than Nunez in the closer department.