St. Louis Cardinals' Keys to a Playoff Run

Find a closer. Or at least a lefty.

If the Birds think that Ryan Franklin and Jason Isringhausen can close by committee, I'll take that. They're respectable, if Izzy doesn't blow up like he's been prone to doing. But if that happens, they MUST upgrade at the left-handed relief position.

Tyler Johnson isn't coming back this year, and Jaime Garcia cannot be counted on. Randy Flores has also sucked, if anybody hasn't noticed. I actually don't mind Ron Villone as the second option so much, but Brian Fuentes, Damaso Marte, or some other option MUST be acquired.

Preferably, Fuentes is traded for a decent but not crucial prospect or two, and he can close AND face lefties in the St. Louis 'pen.

I'm not sure how realistic any of the trades that I've suggested are, and quite frankly, that doesn't anger me. I don't think that this season is the best chance for the Cardinals to contend, and I don't want to see anybody go from the farm system that will help in the future.

But mark my words, there will be no playoff talk for the Cardinals come September if a least a couple of these moves aren't made to catch the Cubs or hold off the Brewers.

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