The Herald is reporting that the Sox will be responsible for the remaining $13.5 million on the shortstops contract.
A left-handed hitting outfielder, Duncan has struggled this
season, hitting just .227 with five homers and 32 RBIs. According the
the New Democrat, he was demoted to Triple-A Memphis hours before the
trade was announced. After starting off the 2009 season well (hitting .304 with a .522 slugging percentage and a .417 on-base percentage in April), Duncan has batted .227 in May, .224 in June and just .037 in July.
The 28-year-old son of Cards pitching coach Dave Duncan owns a .257 batting average, 55 homers and 175 RBIs in 389 career Major League games, all with St. Louis. Duncan tallied a career-high 22 home runs in 2006 and hit 21 in 2007, joining Albert Pujols as the only Cardinals ever with 20 or more long balls in each of their first two full seasons.
Last season was cut to just 76 games for Duncan after he underwent surgery to address a herniated cervical disk in his neck, ending the year with a .248 batting average, 6 home runs, and 27 RBIs in only 222 at bats.
The Cards are also sending a player to be named later, or cash, to the
Sox along with Duncan who will be optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket.
Lugo was designated for assignment by the club back on July 17. The veteran shortstop appeared in 37 games for the Sox this season, compiling a .284 batting average and .352 on-base percentage. In short time in the field, Lugo made seven errors and owns a .928 fielding percentage.
