John Mozeliak predicted shortstop search last fall

During the annual meeting in Nashville last year, St. Louis Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak predicted that the Cards would be looking for a shortstop.
Oct 10, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak looks on during batting practice the day before game one of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Busch Stadium. Image Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
You can call Mozeliak a prophet if you want. One thing is for certain, there is no shortage of power arms in the Cardinals organization when it comes to acquiring a known name to play in the middle infield. It’s unfortunate, though, that it comes to this situation.

Mozeliak addressed the media on Friday with regards to what the club is looking for. While it seems for certain that the Cards won’t be looking for pitching, they do need to shore up a hole or two in their offense mainly in the middle infield.

What Mozeliak said last year:

"“We could be sitting here next year having a similar conversation,” he said to a small clutch of reporters, “about finding a shortstop.”"

What he is saying this year:

"“As we look at how to improve our club, we do see shortstop, from an offensive standpoint, as a good place to start,” Mozeliak said Friday. “It’s not the end-all to get to where we need to go. There are other ways we can find, other directions, if necessary. But as we look at places to begin, there is shortstop.”"

A week from tomorrow, the Cardinals will find out about their outfield situation. Carlos Beltran was given a qualifying offer for a one year deal. Should he choose not to accept said offer, the Cardinals will receive a compensatory draft pick from whichever team chooses to sign him during the offseason. Beltran wants to play for three or four more seasons and with Oscar Taveras inching closer to the majors, paying Beltran for more than a year is not in the club’s best interest.

According to Post-Dispatch writer Derrick Goold, the Cardinals have approached other teams about the shortstop position.

"The Cardinals also talked to Colorado about All-Star Troy Tulowitzki, Cleveland about Asdrubal Cabrera and had a conversation with Baltimore, though the Orioles have maintained a hold on J.J. Hardy. As recently as this past summer, the Cardinals and Rangers discussed speedy 25-year-old shortstop Elvis Andrus, sources have said."

I don’t think the Cards will get Tulowitzki because they would be giving up way too much to get him.