The St. Louis Cardinals are going to try their best to bring Albert Pujols back over this winter, but there is serious competition for his services in the Marlins and possibly the Cubs. Other than that, I see the Cardinals only doing minor tinkering on the roster. Here are three free agents that make sense for the Cardinals:

1. Jason Varitek - The Cardinals could use a decent backup catcher so that Yadier Molina gets the time off he needs during the year. Varitek would be a nice fit.

2. Mike Gonzalez - The Cardinals could use a solid lefty reliever and Gonzalez fits that mold when he’s healthy.

3. Lyle Overbay - Lyle Overbay would give the Cardinals a decent bat off the bench and insurance just in case Albert Pujols decides to leave.

The Cardinals first need/want at the trade deadline is a starting pitcher to allow them to move Kyle McClellan back to the bullpen. Jeremy Guthrie, Edwin Jackson, Doug Fister, Brett Myers, Aaron Harang, Hiroki Kuroda, Jason Vargas, Wandy Rodriguez and Ted Lilly all make sense. Reports have the Cardinals talking about a big deal with the White Sox centered around Colby Rasmus, Edwin Jackson and lefty reliever Matt Thornton. I will keep you posted. If the Cardinals decide to aim lower for a starting pitcher, Kevin Slowey, Bruce Chen, Jeff Francis, Erik Bedard and Chris Capuano make sense. The Cardinals also could use a lefty reliever with Matt Thornton, Craig Breslow, Arthur Rhodes, Will Ohman, Tim Byrdak, John Grabow and J.P. Howell each making sense. The Cardinals could also be on the hunt for a middle infielder due to Skip Schmaker’s lack of offense. Aaron Hill, Orlando Hudson, Mark Ellis, Mike Aviles, Jason Bartlett and maybe even Rafael Furcal make sense for the Cardinals. They might even consider dealing for Chone Figgins if the Mariners pick up most of the cash he’s owed. The Cardinals are going to be very busy this week.

Rumors have it that the Cardinals are talking to the Padres about making a huge deal. The Padres need some new blood and I could see the Cardinals dealing 3B/OF Allen Craig, 3B Matt Carpenter, infielder Daniel Descalso, 2B/OF Skip Schumaker and 21-year old righty starting pitcher Maikel Cleto to the Padres for closer Heath Bell, SS Jason Bartlett and lefty starter/reliever Wade LeBlanc. If the Cardinals made this deal, Bell would take over as the closer. Bartlett would take over at SS with Ryan Theriot moving over to 2B. LeBlanc would probably work out of the bullpen unless there was a injury to a starting pitcher. This is the kind of move the Cardinals will need to make to keep ahead of the Brewers, Reds and the surging and surprising Pittsburgh Pirates.

I think the Cardinals could really use an upgrade at 2B. The Cardinals could decide to move Ryan Theriot to 2B and pursue a shortstop (that’s probably what I would do). Then I would push all of my chips to the middle of the table and try to deal for Jose Reyes of the Mets. He would be a perfect fit for the Cardinals with his hitting, speed and defense. If they wanted to aim a bit lower then Jason Bartlett of the Padres would make a lot of sense at a much lower price prospect wise. If the Cardinals left Theriot at SS, I think 2B Orlando Hudson would be a good fit for the Cardinals. Mark Ellis would be a cheaper alternative to Hudson prospect wise.

The St. Louis Cardinals have nine free agents heading into this winter but there won’t be many tough choices among them. Here is how I see things going with these 9 guys:

Jake Westbrook: 33-year old righty starting pitcher Jake Westbrook started 12 games for the Cardinals last season and he was 4-4 with a 3.48 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. Westbrook pitched in 33 games (all starts) combined for the Cardinals & Indians last season and he was 10-11 with a 4.22 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP. VERDICT: The Cardinals really want Westbrook back for 2011 and beyond but that will have to ante up as he won’t come too cheap.

Brad Penny: 32-year old righty starting pitcher Brad Penny worked in 9 games (all starts) for the Cardinals last season and he was 3-4 with a 3.23 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. VERDICT: If the Cardinals could get Penny to agree to a small base salary with a lot of incentives on a 1-year deal I think they would bring him back.

Dennys Reyes: 33-year old lefty reliever Dennys Reyes pitched in 59 games (0 starts) for the Cardinals last season and he was 3-1 with 1 save, a 3.55 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. VERDICT: The Cardinals will likely bring Reyes back in 2011 as long as he doesn’t want too much money.

Jeff Suppan: 35-year old righty starter/reliever Jeff Suppan pitched in 15 games (13 starts) for the Cardinals last season and he was 3-6 with a 3.84 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP. He pitched in a combined 30 games (15 starts) for the Brewers & Cardinals last season and he was 3-8 with a 5.06 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP. VERDICT: Don’t be shocked to see the Cardinals give Suppan a minor league deal as pitching coach Dave Duncan seems to know how to get the most out of him.

Pedro Feliz: 35-year old righty swinging 3B Pedro Feliz played in 40 games for the Cardinals last season and he was 25 of 120 (.208 avg, .482 OPS) with 14 runs scored, 1 homer and 9 RBIs. He played in a combined 137 games for the Cardinals & Astros last season and he was 89 of 409 (.218 avg, .533 OPS) with 36 runs scored, 5 homers and 40 RBIs. VERDICT: The Cardinals let him walk.

Randy Winn: 36-year old switch hitting outfielder Randy Winn played in 87 games for the Cardinals this year and he was 36 of 144 (.250 avg, .693 OPS) with 16 runs scored, 3 homers, 17 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. Winn played in 116 games combined for the Yankees & Cardinals last year and he was 49 of 205 (.239 avg, .663 OPS) with 23 runs scored, 4 homers, 25 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. VERDICT: The Cardinals might give Winn a minor league deal or they might let him walk.

Aaron Miles: 33-year old switch hitting infielder Aaron Miles played in 79 games for the Cardinals last season and he was 39 of 139 (.281 avg, .627 OPS) with 14 runs scored, 0 homers and 9 RBIs. VERDICT: Aaron Miles is a favorite of Tony LaRussa so it’s hard to rule him out of coming back on a minor league deal in 2011.

Jason LaRue: 36-year old righty swinging catcher Jason LaRue played in 29 games for the Cardinals last season and he was 11 of 56 (.196 avg, .596 OPS) with 3 runs scored, 2 homers and 5 RBIs. VERDICT: LaRue is going to retire due to concussion problems.

Mike MacDougal: 33-year old righty reliever Mike MacDougal pitched in 17 games (0 starts) for the Cardinals last season and he was 1-1 with a 7.23 ERA and a 1.88 WHIP. VERDICT: The Cardinals are going to let MacDougal walk.