St. Louis Cardinals acquire left-handers Jon Lester, J.A. Happ prior to deadline

The Washington Nationals completed their final trade of a dizzying sell-off, sending veteran left-hander Jon Lester to the St. Louis Cardinals at Friday’s deadline.

Lester becomes the second experienced lefty to join St. Louis, which also acquired J.A Happ from the Minnesota Twins on Friday.

Cardinals president John Mozeliak said the club accomplished its goal of stabilizing its pitching without giving away any top prospects.

“That was something that was critical in our decision-making,” Mozeliak said. “Needless to say, obviously today we felt like we took a couple steps forward without having to sacrifice those futures.”