The St. Louis Cardinals are going to need some help if they are going to make another World Series run in 2012.

The bullpen needs some serious realignment, and the team could use some help at second base if the right player is available.

General manager John Mozeliak pulled off a huge trade last season, trading Colby Rasmus for key relievers Octavio Dotel and Marc Rzepczynski, sparking an improbable World Series championship.

This year’s version of the Cardinals needs a similar blockbuster trade if they are going to repeat last year’s magic.

Here are three trade chips the Cardinals should consider using to acquire some much-needed help.

The St. Louis Cardinals are going to need some help if they are going to make another World Series run in 2012.

The bullpen needs some serious realignment, and the team could use some help at second base if the right player is available.

General manager John Mozeliak pulled off a huge trade last season, trading Colby Rasmus for key relievers Octavio Dotel and Marc Rzepczynski, sparking an improbable World Series championship.

This year’s version of the Cardinals needs a similar blockbuster trade if they are going to repeat last year’s magic.

The grand dreams of starting out the second half on a run have taken a turn for the worse for the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals limped out of the gate in the second half, losing five of six and getting swept by the Reds. 

With a chance to knocking on the door of first place with a sweep in Cincinnati, the Cardinals played poorly and found themselves swept.  The Cardinals pitching was decent, but the hitting was poor in the Reds series.  The Cardinals left 30 runners on base during the series.

When they moved on to Milwaukee, the bats still didn't wake up, leaving 18 runners in the two losses in Brew Town.

The St. Louis Cardinals have not been very good since the All-Star break losing five of their first six games, but after the weekend series with the Chicago Cubs, the Cards are sitting pretty.

Friday night started off with Kyle Lohse pitching against Ryan Dempster. The Cards gave Lohse run support immediately, scoring three runs in the first inning. Lohse responded by allowing only one run through seven innings, giving the the bullpen some much needed rest and leading St. Louis to a 4-1 victory.

Saturday night saw history. Jake Westbrook was on the mound for the Cardinals, and just like Lohse the night before, he went seven innings deep. Matt Garza started for the Cubs, but was forced to leave when he began experiencing arm stiffness. The teams were scoreless through six, and Westbrook was pitching three-hit ball through the seventh. And then the Cards came up to bat.

 Buck Showalter recorded the 1,000th win of his career as the Baltimore Orioles beat the New York Yankees 7-1.