ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

2005 finish: 100-62, 1^st place in NL Central

Manager: Tony La Russa (11^th season)

Free agents: RHP Matt Morris, OF Reggie Sanders, 2B Mike Grudzielanek, RHP Julian Tavarez, IF Abraham Nunez, OF So Taguchi, IF/OF John Mabry, C Einar Diaz, RHP Al Reyes, RHP Cal Eldred

On the block: None

Looking for: Corner outfielder, relievers

What’s going on: After another disappointing postseason, the Cardinals have some work to do this winter, most of it involving their own free agents. Matt Morris, Reggie Sanders, Mark Grudzielanek and Julian Tavarez are free agents, along with role players John Mabry, So Taguchi, Abraham Nunez, Einar Diaz, Cal Eldred and Al Reyes. On top of that, Larry Walker has said he will retire, although left-handed setup man Ray King has backed off a trade request. The first priority is an impact corner outfielder. Brian Giles is a likely target. Jacque Jones could be another, but the market is pretty slim after that, so look for an offer to be made to Sanders. A decision on Morris could be tied to Jason Marquis, who is arbitration-eligible. One of the two may not be back. Grudzielanek, Nunez, Taguchi and Mabry could be re-signed if the price is right. As complicated as all that sounds, remember that general manager Walt Jocketty had to replace a starting pitcher, catcher, second baseman and shortstop last winter, and the Cardinals hardly missed a beat this season, easily winning the NL Central. But he’ll have to do it on about the same budget — $95 million — despite the expectation of revenue increases from the new Busch Stadium.

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