Rebuilding? Not a chance

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Rebuilding? Not a chance by Derrick Gould / Special to the Palm Beach Post

"When I was named to this position, I didn't think we would be facing some of the decisions we had to do, at least not at the level we have," said John Mozeliak, 39, the former assistant GM who was promoted after the team's architect, Walt Jocketty, was fired Oct. 3.

Tony La Russa, 63, will return for his 13th season as the Cardinals' manager, although that was no sure thing. He agreed to a two-year contract despite saying that last season left him "fried."

One source of anxiety is gone. Slugging third baseman Troy Glaus was obtained from Toronto in exchange for Rolen, who had feuded with La Russa for a long while.

The Cardinals, who insist they can remain competitive in the relatively weak Central Division, don't mind labeling this a transition year. But they balk at the R-word.

"Rebuilding what?" La Russa said. "I think we're putting a team together to contend."