--The Cardinals are hesitant to make a move for a starting pitcher, pending a further exam on the nerve condition in RHP Chris Carpenter's right shoulder. That exam should take place before the December winter meetings.
--SS Tyler Greene is rising in stature after a good showing in the Arizona Fall League. Green hit .259 for Class AA Springfield and .234 for Class AAA Memphis last season. --Indications are that the Cardinals won't re-sign SS Cesar Izturis, who played for $2.5 million and was solid defensively but didn't show much pop. St. Louis could be interested in dealing for San Diego SS Khalil Greene, who made $6.5 million but had a terrible season, punctuated by breaking his hand in a snit.
--It's quite possible that the Cardinals would sign one middle infielder and trade for the other. If they were to sign one, it likely would be Felipe Lopez, who hit .385 for the Cardinals in 43 games after being let go by Washington.
--1B Albert Pujols, who had a nerve transposed in his right elbow, said he already was hitting and expected to be ready not only for spring training but to play for the Dominican Republic team in the World Baseball Classic next spring.
BY THE NUMBERS: 1 -- Cardinals who won at least 15 games (RHP Kyle Lohse had 15) and who saved at least 15 (RHP Ryan Franklin had 17).
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I do think there will be reason to be aggressive in the trade market and patient in the free agent market." -- GM John Mozeliak, on early offseason maneuvers.
