The Cardinals appear likely to move a lefthanded-hitting outfielder in exchange for pitching help within the next several weeks, if not before Major League Baseball's winter meetings adjourn Thursday.

"That's where we have depth. I've made that more than known," Mozeliak said.

A month after almost trading righthanded bat Ryan Ludwick to the Colorado Rockies, Mozeliak now appears poised to deal from a surplus of lefthanded hitters, including Rick Ankiel, Skip Schumaker, Chris Duncan and top prospect Colby Rasmus.

Mozeliak shot down speculation the Cardinals are involved in competition for free-agent pitcher A.J. Burnett, who has reportedly received a four-year offer plus an option for 2013 from the Atlanta Braves. Such involvement would contradict the club's stance that it is ill-equipped to commit to a long-term deal with a fourth starting pitcher, as Chris Carpenter, Adam Wainwright and Kyle Lohse are all signed through at least 2011.

"We've never engaged them," insisted Mozeliak, who has made acquiring pitching his priority since trading for San Diego Padres shortstop Khalil Greene last Wednesday. "I'm not even looking at the price. I'm looking at what we have. We have three pitchers with multi-year deals. I don't know if adding a fourth makes that much sense."

The Cardinals remain interested only in short-term relationships with starting pitchers, including free agents Oliver Perez, Andy Pettitte, Jon Garland and Brad Penny, among others.

Mozeliak has yet to speak with Arn Tellem, representative for free-agent lefthander Randy Wolf; however, Tellem is expected to meet with the Cardinals by Wednesday afternoon.

The Cardinals are affected but not controlled by what Mozeliak considers "paralysis" within the free-agent market. He predicted last weekend that the Cardinals are more likely to acquire a starter through trade than free agency.

"I'm not sure what's going to create that domino effect. But, that said, I'm not looking at it as though we're not able to do our job. It's a reflection of what agents are comfortable doing," he said, adding, "I don't necessarily have to wait around."

After suggesting last month that the immediate successor to closer Jason Isringhausen might hold the job for one season or less before turning it over to Chris Perez or Jason Motte, Mozeliak said Monday it is possible the club could pursue a two- or three-year arrangement.

Though lefthanded free agent Brian Fuentes likely remains out of reach, the Cardinals may consider former Washington Nationals closer Chad Cordero, who is coming off shoulder surgery in July. It's more likely that free agent Kerry Wood may command interest after the New York Mets help define the market with a pursuit of single-season saves leader Francisco Rodriguez.

Mozeliak played down any chance of trading for a closer, torpedoing any possibility of dealing an outfielder for dominant Phillies set-up man Ryan Madson, projected by some within the game as a closer-in-waiting.

"I'm not saying that concept isn't something we thought about or tried. But it just doesn't seem like it's a part that fits," Mozeliak said about turning another team's set-up man into the Redbirds' closer.

The Phillies are desperate to fill the void left by free-agent left fielder Pat Burrell, and Ludwick perfectly fits their wish list. But Mozeliak cautioned that any connection between a deal that almost sent Ludwick to the Rockies and his current availability is mistaken.

"That was a unique situation," Mozeliak said of the deceased trade talks with the Rockies.

The Tampa Bay Rays may offer a stronger pull as they could make available starting pitchers Edwin Jackson and Andy Sonnanstine for a power-hitting outfielder.

Mozeliak underscored his belief that Adam Kennedy will remain as next April's starting second baseman. Kennedy requested a deal in August when frustrated by inconsistent playing time. But an organizational reluctance to assume a portion of Kennedy's $4 million salary while trying to address several pitching needs makes such a move impractical.

"In essence, that could be our club," Mozeliak said of his current roster of position players. "There is still a chance that maybe we do move an outfielder, but in terms of our infield ... there is a high probability that's what it looks like on April 6."

Mozeliak described Kennedy as "out of play" for a trade. "I think we've exhausted the market and we understand, if he's given the opportunity to play, he's committed to doing that."

The Cardinals were once intrigued by Atlanta Braves shortstop Yunel Escobar, but club sources insist there is no residual interest in Braves second baseman Kelly Johnson, whom the Braves would have dealt for Ludwick.

Moving an outfielder appears highly probable as the club looks for ways to promote Rasmus to its major-league roster.