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Mozeliak doesn't anticipate big moves for Cards

PITTSBURGH -- Twenty hours out from Wednesday's 3 p.m. CT non-waiver Trade Deadline, general manager John Mozeliak continued to downplay the likelihood of the Cardinals making an impact move.

Aside from trading demoted reliever Marc Rzepczynski for low-level Minor League shortstop Juan Herrera on Tuesday, the Cardinals have thus far been quiet on the trade front. Mozeliak has been actively engaged in discussions on a narrow group of players, but the organization is also unwilling to buy at any cost.

"I still think there are opportunities to see players traded by tomorrow," Mozeliak said between games of Tuesday's doubleheader. "I don't feel very optimistic that we'll be one of those active clubs. Obviously there is still time on the clock and things could change, but some of the things we were exploring, we just haven't been able to come to where we have a meeting of the minds."

The Cardinals' needs have long been defined. They have explored adding a starting pitcher and upgrading at shortstop, but have done so without desperation. Despite losing their last five games, the Cardinals sit only a half-game behind the Pirates, who have the best record in the league.

This season-worst stretch has also not changed how the Cardinals view the current makeup of their roster.

"Look, today was a tough loss," Mozeliak said. "You think about how hard we hit balls right at people. There are going to be nights like that. Unfortunately, we're in a little bit of a losing streak. But having said that, I still think it's a good team. There are definitely ups and downs, peaks and valleys through a season and this is certainly a down time for us."

Jenifer Langosch is a reporter for MLB.com. Read her blog, By Gosh, It's Langosch, and follow her on Twitter @LangoschMLB.
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