Cardinals GM Mozeliak getting set for Winter Meetings in Music City

Oct 22, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak addresses the media in the dugout before game seven of the 2012 NLCS against the San Francisco Giants at AT

The General Managers of the 30 major league clubs are descending upon Nashville, TN for the annual Winter Meetings. While some winters a flurry of activity takes place, some years the meetings tend to be fairly quiet. That does not mean that there are not discussions going on behind the scenes though. Many years, the ground work for some big deals have taken place at the annual meetings.

The Cardinals have a short shopping list. Shorter than many clubs. There has been speculation on Twitter and MLB Trade Rumors that John Mozeliak will be looking to pull off a trade at the meetings. Specific targets have not been brought up in rumors, but talk around Cardinal Nation has been that Mozeliak is looking for some infield depth, a left handed reliever to complement Marc Rzepczynski and a fourth outfielder with some pop.

Whether or not the Cardinals get much done, the Winter Meetings are one of my favorite pre-Spring Training dates on the baseball calendar. There is always much speculation and hype about the big name free agents and possible trades.

This year is no different, with free agents Josh Hamilton and Zack Greinke still on the market. As for the trade market, the Rays James Shields, Royals Billy Butler and Wil Meyers have been the most discussed trade targets.

The Cardinals may not do much, but don’t expect them to not have the table set on a deal in the coming weeks as a result of discussions with other GM’s and player agents during the meetings.

However, look for former Cardinals GM Walt Jocketty to try to make some shrewd moves and out-maneuver the Cardinals to win the division again in 2013. The way the teams look on paper, it looks to be a two team race between the Reds and Cardinals again next year.

The state of the Cardinals is looking pretty rosy and there’s no reason for them to not contend for the NL Central division again next year.

What do you think John Mozeliak has up his sleeve for the Winter Meetings this year? What moves do you think should be made? Leave your thoughts and ideas in the comments below. 

Thanks for reading!