The Cardinals have released 24-year old lefty reliever Scott Bittle. Injuries have derailed his career to this point. He pitched in 6 games (0 starts) in Rookie+A-ball this year and he is 0-1 with a 8.44 ERA and a 2.44 WHIP. He walked 8 batters in his first 5 1/3 innings in the minors this year. That is Bittle’s only minor league experience to date. Some team will give Bittle another chance but the Cardinals didn’t feel he was worth keeping around.

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.

The Cardinals have big problems at the back end of the starting rotation. With that in mind I think the Cardinals should go after Ben Sheets of the A’s. He is throwing the ball well and I think he would be better in the N.L. I would talk the A’s into paying Sheets the rest of the year and for that I would give them 25-year old righty swinging 3B Allen Craig and 26-year old righty swinging shortstop Tyler Greene. I know that Billy Beane (the A’s GM) would make that deal as Craig is his type of player. The Cardinals just need to go out and make this kind of deal happen because the Reds are the real deal.

UPDATE: (7/26/2010) - You can forget about Ben Sheets who has been placed on the D.L. with a elbow injury.

The Cardinals are 45-37 on the season which has them in 2nd place in the N.L. Central, 2 games behind the surprising Cincinnati Reds. I think the Cardinals will be in the market for a starting pitcher and either a starting 2B or SS this month. Roy Oswalt, Dan Haren and Cliff Lee are the top three available pitchers and the Cardinals will think of making an offer for them. But if they want to aim a tad lower they might be able to find a bargain. Jeremy Guthrie, Fausto Carmona, Jake Westbrook, Ben Sheets, Ricky Nolasco, Dave Bush, Ted Lilly, Brett Myers, Wandy Rodriguez, Edwin Jackson and Rodrigo Lopez could each be had if the price is right. The Cardinals should be looking for a starting SS or 2B to team with Felipe Lopez. Alex Gonzalez, Mike Aviles, Jhonny Peralta, Mark Ellis, Jose Lopez, Dan Uggla, Christian Guzman, Ryan Theriot, Kelly Johnson and Stephen Drew each could fill that void. The Cardinals usually don’t have to make moves unless they want to but this year is different as the Reds look pretty solid.

With Brad Penny and Kyle Lohse hurting a bit the Cardinals could be in the market for a starting pitcher. I would think that guys like Jake Westbrook, Gil Meche and Brett Myers would be likely targets. The Cardinals probably could get any of those three guys and enough cash to play them the rest of the year for a package of Allen Craig and Tyler Greene. Of these three pitchers mentioned Meche has the best stuff while Myers is pitching the best. I think all three of these teams would jump at this kind of offer as Craig has a nice upside but he’s blocked at 3B on the Cardinals by rookie David Freese who has been outstanding this year.