The angst that accompanied another trade deadline coming and going without the Cardinals calling in reinforcements was still being sorted through by fans when manager Mike Shildt made a point that went, for the most part, unheard.
There is the sound of a manager on the hot seat acknowledging that finding a way to win a crowded Central is more important than feelings, development, contracts and whatever else can find itself on the opposite side of the scale from playing the team that has the best chance to win that day’s game.
This is not to suggest Shildt should be wrestling with job security concerns like Maddon.