Cards GM Mozeliak preaching patience at Meetings

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- A right-handed-hitting infielder remains atop the Cardinals' offseason wish list, but general manager John Mozeliak said he feels no pressure to ensure that a deal gets done during his four-day stay at the Winter Meetings.

The annual baseball gathering kicked off on Monday, with the Cardinals almost entirely out of the rumor mill. Following the November acquisitions of Peter Bourjos and Jhonny Peralta, the Cards arrived at the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort having already addressed their most critical needs.

That puts them in an advantageous position at a time when other clubs might feel compelled to make moves. The Cardinals, rather, have the opportunity to be selective and patient.

"I think the way we're looking at the next few days is just to sort of reassess maybe what we know [and] maybe there are some things we can learn," Mozeliak said. "If we have the ability to make an addition to the club, we're certainly open to it. But I do think patience at this point could benefit us. In other words, we don't need to make a reactionary move so we can put a bow on the Winter Meetings and call it a success. I'm a little reluctant to do that."

The Cardinals' search for an additional infielder includes both the free-agent and trade markets, Mozeliak noted. Finding a right-handed-hitting infielder for 2014 would create some competition at second base with Kolten Wong. It would also offer the Cards depth at the position in case they do not get their anticipated production from the young infielder.