MLB Closer Trade Deadline Rumors: St. Louis Cardinals

By Todd Farino, www.thecloserreport.com

The St. Louis Cardinals have many needs for the  upcoming trade deadline.  Their primary focus will be on adding a closer, a lefty, and anything else they can get their hands on without giving up too many of their top prospects.  Here are the latest Cardinals closer rumors that I could find in print or on the Internet.

St. Louis Cardinals

Today, the St. Louis Cardinals will acquire Octavio Dotel in a four-player deal for Colby Rasmus.  Read the report here by Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Disptach.

According to Tim Dierkes (www.mlbtraderumors.com), The Cardinals have been in talks with the White Sox about Matt Thornton.  This was according to a report by  Joel Sherman of the New York Post.  Where or not this actually is true or happens, that is not all the Cardinals need.  While they can use a lefty, their top priority should be a flamethrowing closer.

 There has also been talk of Jason Isringhausen returning to the Cardinals.  While that is entirely possible and easily achievable for the Cardinals again, it's not going to solve their bullpen issues.  The question Tony La Russa will have to ask himself, am I better off with Jason Isringhausen than with Fernando Salas? 

 Heath Bell is the top bullpen target for the Cardinals, but the Padres have their eye on prospect Shelby Miller amongst others and the Cardinals will try to avoid emptying there minor league system for one player. 

Some rumors have surfaced that the Cardinals are looking at Joe Nathan, and though it would be a good fit (La Russa loves veteran closers), I don't think the Cardinals would be willing to give what the Twins would be asking for Nathan, who is 36 years old.  Both Caps and Nathan are free agents after the season, so it's unlikely the Twins would keep both.  All depends on where they are in the division come July 31.  Being seven games out at this point tells me they are sellers.

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