The Cardinals have released 27-year old righty starter/reliever Brad Thompson. Thompson pitched in 32 games (8 starts) for the Cardinals last season and he was 2-6 with a 4.84 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. In five years with the Cardinals, Thompson compiled a 21-17 record with 1 save, a 4.36 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. The Cardinals should have tried to trade Thompson as they might have been able to get a prospect for him. Thompson should have no trouble finding a new job in 2010.

The Cardinals have lost 26-year old righty swinging infielder Jarrett Hoffpauir on waivers to the Blue Jays. Hoffpauir played in 8 games for the Cardinals last season and he was 3 for 12 (.250 avg, .855 OPS) with 1 run scored and 2 RBIs. He also played in 108 games in AAA-ball for the Cardinals last season and he was 104 for 358 (.291 avg, .843 OPS) with 53 runs scored, 14 homers, 53 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. The Cardinals shouldn’t miss Hoffpauir too much in 2010 and beyond.

The St. Louis Cardinals will likely spend their free agent cash on a big bat for the outfield meaning that they probably won’t have the money to bring back starting 3B Mark DeRosa. With that in mind they should give the White Sox a call. The White Sox need help in the bullpen and the Cardinals could use some insurance at 3B in case David Freese is not ready for prime time. I think the Cardinals should offer righty reliever Brad Thompson to the White Sox for 3B/LF Josh Fields. The White Sox have grown a little sour on Fields but he still has a huge upside so the Cardinals should try to strike when the iron is hot and attempt to get him on the cheap.

UPDATE: Fields has been traded to the Royals so this can’t happen anymore, plus, the Cardinals have released Thompson.