St. Louis Cardinals downplay news concerning shortstop pursuit – MLB News
The St. Louis Cardinals' general manager John Mozeliak on Friday, November 16, downplayed suggestions making the rounds about the club’s search for a shortstop. There has been reports lately that the Cardinals might well be looking for a shortstop while Rafael Furcal recuperates from right elbow injury.
Furcal was instrumental in the Cardinals winning the World Series championship in 2011.
It was on August 30 that Furcal had a ligament strain his right elbow. Since then, the shortstop has not had any throwing practice. Much as the issue might be medically complicated, Mozeliak said recent reports have made it clear that Furcal does not need any surgery.
Mozeliak based his calculation about not having the need for surgery on the assessment of head physician George Paletta. Such a report, therefore, leads to the conclusion that the Cards do not have to pursue any shortstop at this point in time.
"I probably have to blame myself for talking a lot about shortstop, but right now it's not something we're chasing given that the news on Furcal is positive," Mozeliak said. "Unless we get something that changes courses on that, I don't think we're going to be pounding that as much as people have anticipated."
The Cardinals focus for now will be on middle-infield depth. That will reduce the need of searching for a shortstop. The club intends to have the supervision of Furcal’s throwing session under the team staff at the Cardinals' complex.
At a time when the Cardinals have 36 out of 40-man roster, one might well assume that the club will look into buying from options available in free agency. However, the Cardinals are taking a rather cautious approach.
Luckily, as good a bunch of players that the Cardinals now have, they are in possession of some good coaching staff as well.
“We are fortunate to be in a position to have such talented coaches within our organization who are at-the-ready when opportunities at the big league level arise,” Mozeliak had previously stated about the coaching staff.
His assertion that these coaches have actually helped to assure a winning culture throughout the Cardinals’ organisation is not far from the truth as the team had a decent season.
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