CHICAGO -- The St. Louis Cardinals, in a logjam in the NL Central, spoke loud and clear Wednesday that they're going for the jugular by acquiring starter Edwin Jackson as the centerpiece of a potential eight--player deal involving struggling center fielder Colby Rasmus.

The Toronto Blue Jays, who acquired Jackson earlier in the day from the Chicago White Sox, sent Jackson, relievers Octavio Dotel and Marc Rzepcynski, outfielder Corey Patterson and three players to be named later or cash to St. Louis. The Cardinals gave up Rasmus and pitchers P.J. Walters, Trever Miller and Brian Tallet to Toronto.

"We feel that this deal strengthens us in a number of key areas," Cardinals GM John Mozeliak said. "Trades of this nature are never easy to make, but we felt that it was important to solidify a number of areas on our ball club to better position ourselves for what looks to be a highly competitive divisional race."

Jackson instantly fortifies the Cardinals' rotation, who has been without co-ace Adam Wainwright all year. He was 7-7 with a 3.92 ERA for the White Sox this season. He, along with utilityman Mark Teahen, was sent earlier to Toronto for reliever Jason Frasor and Class AA starter Zach Stewart.

"I was born on the move," said Jackson, who now has been traded five times. "There's no bitter feelings. It's not the first time I've been traded. I liked it here, a great group of guys, but at the end of the day, you have to do what you have to do."

The White Sox saved about $9.5 million in the deal. Jackson is making $8.35 million this season, after which he is eligible for free agency. Teahen is making $4.75 million this year and will make $5.25 million in 2012.

White Sox GM Kenny Williams said the club "needed to make a dent in our payroll and still try to win. How do we accomplish both of our goals? Well, we have five starters and we wanted to shorten the game."

Frasor figures to inherit a late-inning role ahead of current White Sox closer Sergio Santos. The White Sox have had a surplus of starting pitching since the return of John Danks from the disabled list.

Stewart, a third-round pick of the Cincinnati Reds in 2008, was 0-1 with a 4.86 ERA in three starts for Toronto this season. He was traded to Toronto as part of a deal involving Scott Rolen in 2009. The 24-year-old entered this season among Toronto's top five pitching prospects.

Jackson provides the Cardinals a proven innings-eater in the middle of their rotation. It would also enable them to move Kyle McClellan back to the bullpen. McClellan filled in admirably for Adam Wainwright at the start of the season, but is 3-6 after a 4-0 start.

And, for the Blue Jays, it sets them up nicely for the future. Rasmus had fallen out of favor with Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa, who criticized Rasmus for listening to his father and outside influences instead of his own hitting coaches. The Cardinals had been shopping him for days, with extensive talks with Tampa Bay and Boston, according to a high-ranking Cardinals' official, unauthorized to speak publicly.