St. Louis Cardinals Turn Focus Toward Other Free Agents With Mark DeRosa Gone

Mark DeRosa has officially signed with the San Francisco Giants, and Troy Glaus and Joe Thurston both have signed with the Atlanta Braves. 

Needless to say, the St. Louis Cardinals are now left with a hole to fill at third base.

As Matt Holliday's status remains uncertain, GM John Mozeliak has other targets that he has been rumored to be pursuing.

The hottest name linked to the Cardinals appears to be switch-hitting infielder Felipe Lopez.

Lopez played for St. Louis in 2008 for 43 games where he hit .385 with 4 home runs and 21 RBI.  He started the 2009 season with Arizona, where he hit .301 with 6 home runs and 25 RBI, but was traded to the Cardinals division rival, the Milwaukee Brewers, midway through the season. He hit .320 with 3 home runs and 32 RBI with Milwaukee.

Lopez's defense is rather suspect, though, as he committed 17 errors last season when he played second base for both the Diamondbacks and the Brewers.

Former White Sox outfielder Jermaine Dye, as well as Xavier Nady, are also players whom the Cardinals have been rumored to be interested in. 

Dye, who spent the last five seasons with Chicago, has been a solid power hitter his entire career and would provide a solid bat to protect Pujols, even if Matt Holliday decides to stay.

Dye hit a measly .250 last season, but had 27 home runs and 81 RBI.

Nady missed nearly the entire season with the Yankees last season with an injured elbow but could also provide a solid bat in the middle of any lineup when healthy.

The Braves have shown interest in Nady, but it's unclear whether they will make a move to sign him.

The Rangers appear to be the team that's been most associated with Dye this offseason. 

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