According to a source close to the Cardinals, Walt Jocketty is shooting for the stars if he is to trade prospects for a starting pitcher. Word is that the Cards will either acquire a front-line pitcher – Dontrelle Willis or John Smoltz – or none at all. The team does not have interest in the second-tier names floating around.
Beyond Willis and Smoltz, could any other top-flight starters be had? Purely my own speculation, but St. Louis could also consider attempting to deal for Jason Schmidt, Barry Zito, Gil Meche, or Brett Myers. Problem is, the first three guys are on teams that are very much in contention. The Phils are 6.5 games out of the wild card, but may try to rid themselves of Myers regardless. Myers doesn’t fit with the Cards’ classy image, but then again neither did Sidney Ponson.
Although Jocketty is not going to trade decent prospects for the Cory Lidles of the world, Jeff Weaver still could be worth a flier. Viva El Birdos points out that Weaver would cost just $115,000 for the balance of the season now that he’s been designated for assignment.
