Trade Talks - Saturday Edition

Scratch Carlos Lee but I hear RF Shawn Green may be available. Green has a lot of experience. he's a two time all-star that will be close to 2,000 hits in a season or two. He has 312 home runs in his career. At this point, I really don't know if we should give up Reyes or not. My fantasy team has taken a hit when he pitches.

General manager Walt Jocketty remains insistent that he does not want to subtract from his team's current clubhouse and that pitchers Anthony Reyes and Adam Wainwright remain untouchable.

The Cardinals are still searching for an outfielder and a relief pitcher with the Philadelphia Phillies offering a possible match with outfielders Bobby Abreu, Pat Burrell, David Dellucci and Aaron Rowand, and lefthanded relievers Arthur Rhodes and Rheal Cormier. The Arizona Diamondbacks' Shawn Green and Luis Gonzalez are also available.

Wherever the Cardinals end up, a potential trading partner is likely to probe about Reyes' and Wainwright's availability.

Wainwright has heard organizational assurances he isn't going anywhere. But he also has been around the game long enough to believe little.

"I don't believe that. I think for maybe the right price I might be available," said Wainwright, who came to the Cardinals in a five-player deal with the Atlanta Braves in December 2003. Wainwright was considered by some to be the Braves' top pitching prospect at the time.

Earlier this week a number of clubs wondered if the Cardinals were prepared to make an "impact" trade given a reluctance to deal off their 25-man roster and their relatively thin minor-league system. Likewise, the Cardinals have received little indication about the Phillies' intentions. As one Phillies executive recently said, "We've gone fishing but we haven't put a lure in the water yet."

Wainwright, 24, has emerged as one of the team's most pleasant surprises this season.

A starter in the minor leagues, he moved to the bullpen late in spring training and has gained the trust of manager Tony La Russa and pitching coach Dave Duncan. Wainwright is 2-2 with a 2.42 ERA in 39 appearances totaling 52 innings.