Will Cards chase Trumbo, other impact bats?

ST. LOUIS — The Winter Classic is in the rearview mirror, as is 2016, but six weeks remain before pitchers and catchers officially report to the Cardinals’ Spring Training facility.

The club’s winter priorities were addressed early with free-agent signings in November (Brett Cecil) and December (Dexter Fowler). That doesn’t mean, however, that the Cardinals’ offseason work is done. With the Hot Stove season still simmering and other loose ends to tie, here are some questions still to be answered before those spring workouts begin next month:

• Hot Stove tracker

Will the Cardinals go after one more impact bat?

After signing Fowler, general manager John Mozeliak indicated that the club’s big offseason spending was done. But with several sluggers remaining on the free-agent market, the Cardinals could tiptoe back in.

Plenty of power is on the board with Mark Trumbo, Jose Bautista, Mike Napoli, Chris Carter, Brandon Moss and Adam Lind still unsigned. Any of those players would come with risk attached, whether it be due to age, defensive concerns and/or a lack of versatility. But such a gamble might be enticing to the Cardinals if asking prices continue to dwindle. Matt Carpenter’s defensive flexibility would allow for such a sign.

When will arbitration cases be resolved?

Since tendering contracts to five arbitration-eligible players a month ago, the Cardinals have not officially inked any of them to a one-year deal. Carlos Martinez, Michael Wacha and Kevin Siegrist are going through this process for the first time. …

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