The St.. Louis Cardinals are in need of starting pitching, and they are keeping their ears open for potential trade candidates.

Starting pitchers Brad Penny and Kyle Lohse are on the disabled list and do not plan to return until after the All-Star Break, so given their uncertainty the Cardinals will need to acquire rotation depth.

“We’ve got two starters missing,” manager Tony La Russa said. “So even if we’ve got a guarantee that Penny’s coming back in top form, you’re still going to be looking for help. You don’t know what Lohse is going to be.”

The club is extremely reluctant to take on a contract beyond one-year, so pitchers like Roy Oswalt and Dan Haren are all but eliminated. Cliff Lee could be a good fit, and there have been rumors that the Cardinals are interested in the left-hander, but at what cost?

On Monday, Ed Price of AOL Fanhouse suggested 2009 first-round pitcher, Shelby Miller, has a possible trade chip.

If the Cardinals cannot meet the Mariners’ demands, then a second-tier pitcher such as the Cleveland Indians Jake Westbrook or the Baltimore Orioles Kevin Millwood could work.

Matthew Leach of MLB.com says that the Cardinals will be waiting and watching for for – their own players and those around league.