ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Cardinals acquired Cleveland Indians third baseman Mark DeRosa late this evening for reliever Chris Perez and a player to named later. The Indians have long been dangling DeRosa on the trade block, gathering attention from a variety of teams, but the Cardinals were willing to part with a major-league reliever to make the deal happen.

DeRosa fits the Cardinals’ instant need at third base, but his versatility makes him a long-term factor for the Cardinals. He can also play second base — as he often did for the Chicago Cubs last season — and he can play in the outfield.

DeRosa has 13 homers and 50 RBIs this season.

“It’s disappointing,” DeRosa told reporters in Cleveland. “You feel like you want to hit the rewind button and start over. The toughest part is having to walk away from guys I was just starting to get to know. But, selfishly, I’m going to a really good team with a chance to battle for a division title.”

The versatile fielder will be in St. Louis tomorrow in time to start against the Minnesota Twins. He’ll wear No. 7.

“We felt that this deal provided us with an excellent opportunity to improve our team, especially from an offensive standpoint,” said Cardinals’ general manager John Mozeliak in a statement. “We feel our team has the pitching to contend, and if we can get the offense to produce at a more consistent level, then our overall performance should benefit.”

The Cardinals may see DeRosa initially as the usual starter at third base, but contacted this evening by Hall of Famer Rick Hummel, manager Tony La Russa said the value of DeRosa’s addition is that he can play wherever, whenever. He may not have an everyday position, but he’ll be an everyday player. Mozeliak told me late this evening that it is too “premature” to discuss the long-range goals for DeRosa and if the price (i.e., Perez) indicated a plan to do something in the form of an extension with the infielder.

The message being sent is clear.

Last season, the Cardinals were in contention at the trade deadline but were unable to make a deal of any impact. DeRosa, who was gathering attention from multiple National League teams as July approached, adds credibility to the front office’s publicly stated goal of being aggressive and acquiring a bat to help the flagging offense.

“He hits in a lot of different spots in a winning way, which makes him a valuable player,” La Russa told Hummel. He added about the clubhouse reaction to acquiring a veteran: “I think they’ll be very excited because he’s got a well-deserved reputation of being a great teammate and a winning player. I think the guys will be enthused.”

The player to be named later will be selected from an agreed upon list of options that will be given to Cleveland. The Indians have until the end of the minor-league season to select a player. Indications are that the list could include Francisco Samuel and Jess Todd, or a similar player. A report on FOXSports.com identified those two relievers as names on the list.

More later this evening on StlToday.com and in your Sunday Post-Dispatch.

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