--The Cardinals caused a minor stir when, for the second year in succession, they didn't offer a contract to INF Aaron Miles, who hit .317 as a valuable extra man last season. Miles made $1.4 million in 2008 and would have been eligible for arbitration.
--In less of a surprise, the club did not offer arbitration to LHPs Randy Flores and Tyler Johnson. Flores had a poor 2008, and Johnson didn't pitch at all after having elbow surgery. Both of them also were arbitration-eligible. --The Cardinals signed minor league free agents INF Joe Thurston and C Justin Knoedler. Thurston, 29, has had 66 at-bats in 59 major league games spread over five seasons. He spent most of last season at Class AAA Pawtucket in the Boston organization and was recommended by Cardinals third base coach Jose Oquendo and former Cardinal Eduardo Perez, who scouted Thurston in the Puerto Rican Winter League.
--Oquendo, who is managing this winter in Puerto Rico, will be back for his second tour as manager of the Puerto Rican team in the World Baseball Classic. The Puerto Ricans reached the quarterfinals in 2006.
--1B Albert Pujols is the only Cardinal confirmed so far as saying he will play in the World Baseball Classic. Pujols will play for the Dominican Republic.
BY THE NUMBERS: 4 -- Errors committed by INF Aaron Miles in 2008 while playing seven positions, including pitcher.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We're tying to gain flexibility. It's hard to handicap it. A lot depends on how he finds the market." -- GM John Mozeliak on INF Aaron Miles, who was allowed to become a free agent when the Cardinals didn't tender him a contract.
