So the Cards likely will trade for an upgrade.

And this is why I was fine with the Cards declining to extend a hefty offer to Brandon Moss, and with the Cards picking up Jaime Garcia’s one-year, $12 million option — because on the trade market it gives them more options.

“A lot of people are asking, ‘Does this make sense?’” Mo said, “and I think the key for us as we pick up this option is, we feel comfortable having seven starters going into next year. What that really means is, as we look to the trade market as we get to the GM meetings, we want to be able to not have our hands tied. For example, if we had not picked up the option, and all of a sudden we feel there’s a trade that might make sense for us that’s going to have to include a starter, then we’re left with having to backfill.

“Given what Jaime was able to accomplish last year, clearly it didn’t end the way he would’ve liked it to, but he still ate a lot of valuable innings for us. When I think about what’s out there on the free-agent market, I still think it’s an asset to have. … And what if we have to move someone else? It would be nice to still have the depth in our rotation.”