Slowly but surely, the off-season is picking up the pace. We had a nice little jolt of energy during the Winter Meetings in Vegas, but the Cardinals brass ended up playing at the nickel and dime Limit Hold ‘Em Tables instead of bringing home a new SP, RP, or 2B.

Fortunately, every other team in baseball outside of New York has been pretty quiet lately, too, so we couldn’t complain about the Cardinals’ lack of activity too much.

But once the calendar hit January 1, things changed. Players and GM’s realized that we’re only six weeks away from “pitchers and catchers,” so it’s time to start moving. Not everyone wants to take the Jeff Weaver route (I’m talking about the sign with a team in March part, not the sit around and get baked for three weeks straight part).

So while some teams finalized deals with players like Brian Fuentes, Pat the Girl Burrell, and Milton Bradley, we got to see Royce fucking Ring at the top of our headlines. Woo! Well, make that future “Released in Spring Training” Royce Ring.

Carl Pavano signed with the Indians for crying out loud. I though he was right up our alley. I’m sure the Cardinals made an offer of $1.45 million and were outbid at the last possible second. Aw, shucks.

Despite this, the Cardinals still sit patiently waiting for…

-Derek Lowe and Ben Sheets to sign for free?

-Adam Kennedy’s steroid shipment to arrive?

-Us to quit complaining and buy tickets? (Hmm, wonder what the answer is)

Guys like Oliver Perez, Jon Garland, Randy Wolf, Brandon Lyon, Orlando Hudson, shit even Adam Dunn, are still out there (are we sure we don’t want Adam Dunn? Play him at second base for all I care, he would be awesome). That’s just naming a handful of players who would be affordable and useful to the Cardinals.

To draft dorks like me, I realize that a couple of those guys are Type A Free Agents, and would result in a lost draft pick. But this off-season is much different than in year’s past. Pitchers will come cheaper than expected, and the Cardinals should make their move while these guys are available.

I’m not saying signing one particular player is going to put them in the playoffs again, but I think they could make two or three realistic signings that wouldn’t cost them too much in the checkbook. Do you think Orlando Hudson is getting that 4 year/$36 million deal now?

We’ve been patient for two months, and now is the perfect time for the Cardinals to be aggressive. The way quality players are just hanging out there, if the team sits on their hands, either they blew it or a fire sale should be in the works.

This isn’t my official off-season freak-out just yet; I was the guy who said he had faith in the Cardinals this winter, and I believe the last time I had faith, my Brian Barber rookie cards were still listed in Beckett (albeit with the dreaded DOWN arrows). I will still give the Cardinals my patience, fully realizing my hopes and dreams may be shattered and this same column may still apply for the next twelve months, let alone six weeks.

Hopefully they don’t reward me with Royce Ring bobblehead night. I really hate getting in line early for those fucking things.

For more HMW, check out www.bertflex.com