By Chris Brown – STL Baseball Today

Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak joined CBS Sports Radio 920 AM on Thursday morning and discussed a wide range of topics, including the trade deadline, rookie outfielders, and the latest on a few injured veteran outfielders.

A look at some of the highlights:

On the challenges of making deals at the trade deadline:

“I feel like at times its harder for us to do deals because a lot of people don’t want to add to our success. Teams have to do what’s best for them. With the additional Wild Card….it makes it that much more difficult.”

The latest on Jon Jay (out with a wrist injury):

“He’s someone who can definitely still help us. I’m hopeful he can be back before September, but he may need a rehab assignment. He could be a very important player for us (when he gets back).”

An update on Matt Holliday (out with a quad strain for the second time this season):

“I think we just have to be patient. Getting him out there once he passes all the tests is fine. When it reoccurs, you have to be very careful. I’m optimistic we’ll see at one point (this season).

On Jason Heyward and a potential future for him in St. Louis:

“I certainly feel like he’s done a very good job for us in terms of what we needed. Clearly when we made this deal, we were thinking of this year. When you go to that next chapter…hopefully we can find a way to keep him here. He seems to enjoy his time in St. Louis. And he fits in well with the club. I think those things are important.”

On rookie outfielder Stephen Piscotty and why he wasn’t promoted sooner:

“It’s great to see Stephen get off to a great start with the Cardinals. My biggest hold-up (in not bringing him up earlier) was just trying to get him playing time. You don’t want to bring him up…and then he sits on the bench.”

On another young outfielder, and a potential Rookie of the Year candidate, Randal Grichuk:

“He’s been great. If he can improve his on-base percentage, he’s going to be an elite player. “I think he’s athletic enough to (play any outfield position). If you’re getting that kind of power production from a center fielder, that’s just a huge bonus. I think he can play all three…and I think he can do it well.”

Listen to Mozeliak’s full interview on InsideSTL.com.

 

Feature image used under Creative Commons by Arturo Pardavila III. No changes made. Image license.