By R.B. Fallstrom
The Associated Press

ST. LOUIS - Walt Jocketty is at his best at the trade deadline.

Almost every year about this time, the St. Louis Cardinals get a talent infusion. The latest masterstroke by the general manager was the addition of Larry Walker.

Not only did Jocketty land a former MVP and three-time batting champion, he did so without harming the 40-man roster or putting a hole in the team's budget.

TRADER WALT

Late-season trades made by St. Louis general manager Walt Jocketty that had a big impact: •  1997: He got Mark McGwire from the Athletics for three nondescript pitchers at the deadline. McGwire helped the Cardinals make the playoffs in 2000. Then McGwire obliterated Roger Maris' 37-year-old home run record with 70 in 1998. •  2000: He got Will Clark from the Orioles for minor-league third baseman Jose Leon. Clark hit .345 with 12 homers and 42 RBI in 51 games, helping the Cardinals get to the NLCS. •  2001: A few days after the deadline, Jocketty acquired right-hander Woody Williams from the Padres. Williams was 7-1 with a 2.28 ERA down the stretch to help produce an NL Central co-championship. •  2002: Scott Rolen was pried from the Phillies and helped them win another division title. This year he's putting up numbers worthy of an MVP, leading the NL with 98 RBI, batting .338 and playing excellent defense at third base. The cost: second baseman Placido Polanco and pitchers Mike Timlin and Bud Smith.

"They always come up big," pitcher Matt Morris said. "What an unbelievable acquisition."

Jocketty first served notice he was a major late-season player when he brought in Mark McGwire from the Athletics for three nondescript pitchers at the 1997 deadline. McGwire helped the Cardinals make the playoffs in 2000.

Now, even though the Cardinals had the major leagues' best record, Jocketty got ownership to OK a trade for Walker.

"You look at this lineup and say 'How can it get any better?' " outfielder Reggie Sanders said. "But adding him, it does. It gives us a big boost."

Walker, the 1997 NL MVP, waived his no-trade clause Friday night in a deal that sent minor league pitcher Jason Burch and two players to be named to Colorado.

He joins a lineup that features three All-Star starters: Albert Pujols, Rolen and Edgar Renteria. Pujols has been the NL MVP runner-up the last two seasons; Rolen leads the NL with 98 RBI; and Renteria is climbing toward .300 after a slow start. Meanwhile, Jim Edmonds is among the league leaders with 30 homers.

"You couldn't ask for anything better," Walker said.

It helped that Jocketty talked the Rockies into paying $7.5 million of his 2005 salary of $12.5 million. He also persuaded ownership to take on more payroll.

"We're taking on some money this year in a year that we've stretched the budget about as far as we could," Jocketty said. "They have to be commended for letting us make this deal."

He may not be finished, either. Upgrading the bullpen and the rotation were higher priorities, but the deals just weren't there.

Jocketty didn't worry when the deadline passed with no trade, figuring the 37-year-old Walker would clear waivers and that talks with Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd would then resume.

"Right now, I don't plan anything," Jocketty said. "We'll see how things develop."

Manager Tony La Russa wouldn't be surprised if more moves are coming.

Not with Jocketty on the prowl.

"No team is perfect," La Russa said. "You always keep trying to get better."

I didn't expect Larry Walker to be here, but you keep working, you keep trying."