Cardinals Rumors: St. Louis Still "Monitoring" Pitchers

The St. Louis Cardinals are still "monitoring" the starting pitching market despite their frustration at high asking prices, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

The team, while frustrated by the high asking prices for starting pitchers, continues to perform its due diligence in the pitching market, monitoring both starters and relievers, according to major-league sources.

Among the starting pitchers who could interest the Cardinals: Mariners left-hander Jason Vargas and Astros left-hander Wandy Rodriguez.

The Cardinals have made it known they are not in the market for the big name pitchers like Greinke or Hamels, but second-tier starters like Vargas are still very much in the picture. The 29-year-old left-hander owns a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts, has averaged over 190 innings pitched the past two years, and is under team control until 2014.

While Vargas would come cheap, Rodriguez is weighed down by his hefty contract. The veteran left-hander is owed $10 million this year, $13 million the next and has a $13 million team option for the 2014 season. Since 2008, Rodriguez owns a 3.41 ERA, 7.9 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9.

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Which starting pitcher should the Cardinals go for?

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