NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- A Winter Meetings stay that included myriad discussions with agents and clubs, as well as internal debate about the optimal way to solve their outfield void, ended without the Cardinals completing any actual transaction. They hope, however, that the work done over their four-day stay outside Washington, D.C., formed the foundation for future action.
The Cardinals remain positioned as they did when they arrive -- still seeking an impact outfielder and uncertain whether that fit will be best addressed via the free-agent or trade market. They watched as two potential options came off the board with Ian Desmond and Adam Eaton finding landing spots.