For the fourth consecutive July the Cardinals failed to complete a substantive move to strengthen their roster for a run at a division title, and the consequences could be severe. This year’s trade deadline, which passed Wednesday at 3 p.m. St. Louis time, was the last chance for teams to move major-league players, meaning August is no longer open to Christmas Eve shoppers. The Cardinals chased all sorts of deals for a starting pitcher – short-term adds, long-term fits, lefties, righties – because an innings deficit looms, and they aren’t sure how to fill it.
“There is a high level of frustration for even us that work up there,” said John Mozeliak, president of baseball operations.