While the winning stretch has given the Cardinals the impetus to shop, their list is still taking shape. The known available hitters, like Detroit’s Nicholas Castellanos, don’t offer the obvious fit for the Cardinals. And some of the pitchers who appeal to the Cardinals, like San Francisco’s Will Smith or Cleveland’s Brad Hand, may not be available.

Finding a lefty reliever is high on the Cardinals’ priorities, officials have indicated. The Cardinals have explored possible options at starting pitcher. The list of available starters seems to shift with the standings. Arizona offers an intriguing place to send a few text messages with lefty Robbie Ray and high-priced, high-performance righthander Zack Greinke part of a team looking to commit to a direction.

Girsch declined to discuss specific targets, per team policy.

He did make it clear the Cardinals have played their way into contention for a division title, and that adding to the roster for a title run and not a wild-card run has appeal.

“The goal is winning the division,” Girsch said. “I think our job is to be somewhat practical. You can’t chase something that’s too far out of reach, but you don’t give up on something that is going well.”