San Diego (KMOX) - The Cardinals make a small move on Tuesday in signing pitcher Guillermo Zuniga but the club has yet to make the type of splash that many fans are hoping for. The team continues to prioritize finding a new catcher but President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak seemed less sure that a deal would get done before the Winter Meetings wrap up.
"Nothing's really changed for us. We have some balls in the air and we are trying to determine what's the best way to deploy the resource and have to think through all that," he said. "Are we hopeful that we can do something before we leave? We are hopeful but yesterday I was probably a little more confident than I am at the moment, but there is still time."
Manager Oliver Marmol also spoke to the media and said that finding a catcher remains something the club is locked in on.
"Our focus at the moment, Mo has made it clear, we need to walk away with a catcher. Then we can dive in on what's next from there."
With so many potential catchers available via trade or free agency, the Cardinals continue to have a number of options.
"I just think a decision needs to be made," Mozeliak said. "We kind of know what's at stake. We understand what these costs will entail whether it's cash or the player side and we are just trying to weigh all that in."
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The club believes that they will get a lot more offense from the catcher's position. Free agent Willson Contreras continues to be connected to the team. Marmol confirmed that a meeting did take place with Contreras and his representation. Mozeliak alluded to the fact that the team would be open to bringing in a catcher who profiles as a bat-first player.
"I think we are open-minded to that change. We're not wedded to saying it's gotta be defense first."
The Cardinals also believe the club can be a more consistent run-scoring team with current players stepping forward.
"Can we count on (Alec) Burleson having a good off-season and coming in and being able to produce similar to what he did at Triple-A?" Marmol wondered. "Can he be that left-handed bat? Can (Nolan) Gorman be that for us? You have certain guys who can step up into that role."
The baseball winter meetings continue on Wednesday and will include the Rule 5 draft. Mozeliak and his staff will meet Wednesday morning to talk through if they will make any selections. Hear more details on Tuesday's episode of Cardinals Conversations: