St. Louis, MO (My Sportsbook) - The St. Louis Cardinals acquired shortstop Khalil Greene from the San Diego Padres on Thursday.

St. Louis shipped pitcher Mark Worrell and a player to be named later to San Diego for Greene.

One year removed from belting 27 home runs, Greene's production dropped drastically last season, as he hit just .213 with 10 homers, while striking out 100 times in 105 games. He also managed only 27 extra-base-hits and 35 RBI after producing 74 extra-base hits and 97 RBI in 2007.

"We couldn't be more pleased to have acquired a shortstop with the solid combination of offense and defense that Khalil Greene brings to our ballclub," said Cardinals' general manager John Mozeliak. "The addition of Khalil to our lineup and the opportunity that he will now have to play in front of our great fans, and in Busch Stadium, is something that we see as a perfect match."

However, he missed the last two months of the season with a fractured left hand.

Greene, who can become a free agent after the 2009 campaign, will become the Cardinals fourth starting shortstop in the last six seasons, following Edgar Renteria, David Eckstein and Cesar Izturis, who started there last season.

"I would like to take this opportunity to let everyone know that I am both excited and honored to have a chance to play and contribute for such a storied franchise as the St Louis Cardinals," said Greene. "The tradition in St Louis speaks for itself and I am hopeful to be a strong contributor for the Cardinals."

The 29-year-old Greene holds a .248 batting average over his six-year career. He has 84 home runs and 328 RBI in 659 games, all with San Diego.