The shopping list for Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty is plenty lengthy, but in the end, he has two main targets. If he checks off the top two items from his list, it will be a successful winter.
So what are those items? Oh, nothing too big.
"We're looking for the best quality pitcher and best quality hitter," Jocketty said.
Well. That settles it, then. Notice the order of the priorities, though. Because it's significant. The first issue at hand for Jocketty and his brain trust is the team's starting rotation.
It's a two-pronged problem, because St. Louis is seeking both quality and quantity. Ace Chris Carpenter and youngster Anthony Reyes are the only men who made more than one start for the 2006 Cardinals and are under the team's control for 2007.
So not only does Jocketty want to add one premier arm to the front of the rotation, he also needs to secure at least one and maybe two or three additional starters to fill out the fivesome.
"We're going to devote most of our time, energy and financial commitment to our pitching," said Jocketty.
The Cardinals have begun conversations with their free agent pitchers. Right-handers Jeff Suppan and Jeff Weaver top the list, with lefty Mark Mulder an intriguing option and right-hander Jason Marquis likely out the door. Jocketty said that he wouldn't expect Mulder to be available until roughly midseason after shoulder surgery.
Suppan and Weaver both found success with the Cardinals, but neither is a lock to return. And it's hard to see the club retaining both, considering the prices they may fetch in free agency.
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Cards begin two-pronged search
Cards begin two-pronged search
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