While manager Tony La Russa and pitching coach Dave Duncan are hopeful of landing a veteran reliever to bridge the gap until it is time for Chris Perez or Jason Motte to become the closer, general manager John Mozeliak said he had faith in his young pitchers.
"I know it's not optimal the way Tony looks at it," Mozeliak said. "But we went with a very young outfield last year that got the same type of scrutiny and questions that now our bullpen is getting. I'm using that as a barometer that it works. "We had the same type of faith in (Ryan) Ludwick and (Rick) Ankiel and that group as we do with Perez and Motte and (Kyle) McClellan.
"People don't like to hear that, and I'm not trying to sell it. But there was a similar model we used for outfield last year that was successful, and I think it's capable of being a successful group here."
Mozeliak was speaking after the Cardinals lost out to the Angels for free agent left-hander Brian Fuentes.
"I think when we weren't able to sign Fuentes, we took a step back," Mozeliak said. "He's a proven, legitimate closer. I really don't see another answer (from outside the organization) as clearly as Fuentes."
La Russa said the Cardinals had interest in free agent right-handers Juan Cruz and Brandon Lyon, both of whom pitched for Arizona. Setup man Cruz, whose signing as a Type A free agent would cost the club a draft pick as compensation, was 4-0 with a 2.61 ERA and 71 strikeouts in 51 2/3 innings last year. Lyon had 26 saves but a 4.70 ERA.
