TOWER GROVE — As the doors to Major League Baseball’s free-agent marketplace swing open Friday, the St. Louis Cardinals plan a bee-line to the lefthanded reliever auction, where they will find plenty of other bidders looking to beef-up on that same side of the bullpen.

The Cardinals have been rather public with their plan to address holes on the left-side of the bullpen via free agency — because why deny what the depth chart reveals? Renovating the Cardinals’ bullpen is a must this winter, and there are those internally who believe that filling two vacancies with solid lefty relievers will help address a problem many attach to a hole in the ninth inning. It’s a fix-the-bridge approach to the bullpen. Pitching coach Dave Duncan is more direct with his interest in acquiring a lefty specialist (or LOOGY, a Lefty One-Out GuY):

He wants somebody who can come in and shut down an opponent’s left slugger, i.e. Ryan Howard.

A check around baseball reveals that the Cardinals are not alone. More than a handful of teams are also interested in adding a lefthander or two from the free-agent pool to their bullpen.

Supply meet demand.

Below is a list of 14 lefthanded free-agent pitchers, representing the supply. Beside each pitcher is his age, his three-year average against lefthanded batters (BA/OBP/SLG and total Ks in total ABs), his selection of pitchers, and his Dunn-Howard index. If one of the roles a lefty will have for the Cardinals is coming in to K a lefty slugger — like Prince Fielder — then why not check out what these free agents have done, if possible, against two of the bigger lefty sluggers, who also have pronounced splits. Hence, the stat showing how they’ve fared against Adam Dunn and Ryan Howard, or the Dunn-Howard index. (You may be surprised who scores relatively high on this quick-sketch stat.)

The pitchers are listed according to their ability, but also in the order they would best fit the Cardinals. That is the demand. But as we know the Cardinals’ interest in each will also be dictated by how much they command when that market opens and the bidders rush in …

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LHP Brian Fuentes

BRIAN FUENTES, 33: A type-A free agent who will cost the signing a team draft pick in addition to a hefty contract. In multiple ways, he fits the Cardinals needs — which is why they pursued him at the trade deadline this past season. Fuentes could be a closer now, a LOOGY later, or a closer now and later. Easily the most attractive and best fit for the Cardinals. But also intriguing to the Mets and many others. Ideal lefty. At what cost? … 3-year averages vs. lefties: .191/.260/.318; 68 Ks in 162 AB … Fastball, strikeout-changeup, slider. … Dunn-Howard: 0-for-3, 2 K.

JEREMY AFFELDT, 29: A type-B free agent and perhaps the best combination of good-fit and good-buy for the Cardinals. He could handle the role for several years to come, and there’s some thought that he could do well in the ninth inning, if asked. … 3-year averages vs. lefties: .243/.315/.419; 59 Ks in 301 AB. … Fastball with a strikeout curveball. … Dunn-Howard: 1-for-5, 2 K.

WILL OHMAN, 31: Another of the lefties the Cardinals pursued at the trade deadline, and remember there were indications that the Cardinals would play against him one night in Atlanta and then bring him back to St. Louis the next. Has compelling numbers, arguably among the best. Has shown against Howard, for example. Knows the division. Lot to like if the price is reasonable, and another reliever who could fill the role for several years. … 3-year averages vs. lefties: .194/.283/.313; 90 Ks in 278 AB. … Fastball with a strikeout slider. … Dunn-Howard: 5-for-19, 9 K.

JOE BEIMEL, 31: A type-B free agent who went 5-1 with a 2.02 ERA as a reliever for the LA Dodgers. Has just the right blend of being capable of doing more than lefty specialist and likely being at the right price to fit in the Cardinals’ budget. … 3-year averages vs. lefties: .232/.274/.304; 58 Ks in 280 AB. … Fastball. … Dunn-Howard: 2-for-5, 1 K. … UPDATE: A baseball source told me this afternoon that the Cardinals have not yet expressed interest in Beimel, which offers some indication about where the Cardinals have focused their attention when it comes to lefties.

LHP Arthur Rhodes

ARTHUR RHODES, 39: In a season split between Seattle and Florida, the elder statesman of the job had 24 holds and a 2.04 ERA. He had 40 strikeouts in 35 1/3 innings. Beyond the sturdy numbers and the known quantity of his career, his appeal would be the short-term commitment that he’d require. … 3-year averages vs. lefties: .220/.295/.341; 40 Ks in 132 AB. … Fastball and a strikeout slider. … Dunn-Howard: 0-for-3, 2 K.

DENNYS REYES, 31: Had a 2.33 ERA, 17 holds, a 1.19 WHIP in his third year of a successful run with the Minnesota bullpen. The Twins reportedly are interested in bringing Reyes back, and they had him for $1 million this past season. He’s been reliable, but he’s also prone to plenty of walks. … 3-year averages vs. lefties: .202/.265/.266; 63 Ks in 248 AB. … Fastball and leans on his slider as a strikeout pitch. … Dunn-Howard: 0-0.

RON VILLONE, 38: Is there anything wrong with an encore? It seemed to be that Villone’s statistics and his reputation with the fanbase was unfairly marred by a few mop-up appearances that he had. The strapping lefthander with the durable arm had to handle some innings that a lefty specialist normally wouldn’t. He was, in some ways, over-cast in other roles. Don’t buy it? Check the numbers. … 3-year averages vs. lefties: 194/.296/.329; 68 Ks in 258 AB. … Strikeout fastball, and a slider. But a former starter who has other pitches, when needed. … Dunn-Howard: 1-for-12, 7 K.

ALAN EMBREE, 38: A type-B free agent and veteran of the American League East grinder who has re-established himself with turns in San Diego and recently with Oakland. Had his option declined by the A’s. Has been used as a closer, as a middle reliever, as a specialist — all over the bullpen, really. And there’s something to be said for versatility, especially when it comes to complementing a more K-oriented LOOGY. His 846 career appearances rank among the all-time leaders. Check out his $3.1 million salary in 2008 to understand his value to the Oakland bullpen. Probably won’t be offered arbitration, so a little patience and he won’t cost a draft pick…. 3-year averages vs. lefties: .228/.285/.355; 58 Ks in 259 AB. … Fastball, slider. … Dunn-Howard: 1-for-2, 0 K.

LHP Trever Miller

TREVER MILLER, 35: Seems to commute between the Tampa Bay and Houston bullpens, having had two stints with each team. Some of his finer seasons came with the Astros, and he is a season and a half away from his 600th career appearance. Has the seasoning, to be sure. And locked insider his 4.43 career ERA is some telling numbers against lefthanded hitters. For context, he made $1.6 million with the Rays this past season.  … 3-year averages vs. lefties: .213/.294/.348; 91 Ks in 267 AB. … Fastball, made better with his changeup, and a slider. … Dunn-Howard: 2-for-7, 2 K.

BRIAN SHOUSE, 40: A type-B free agent who spent the season with Milwaukee and fits into the Rhodes mold — not much a commitment needed to add him as, say, the second lefty signed. … 3-year averages vs. lefties: .208/.253/.299; 68 Ks in 264 AB. … Fastball, strikeout slider. … Dunn-Howard: 2-for-4, 0 K.

EDDIE GUARDADO, 38: There were legit indications last season that the Cardinals, having been unable to land Fuentes and unwilling to part with the necessary prospect to get Ohman, explored a deal for Everyday Eddie. Former closer. Comfortable in the lefthanded specialist role. Veteran. Has all the tea leaves of being another name to keep in mind, especially if the other lefties start migrating elsewhere. … 3-year averages vs. lefties: .230/.281/.396; 31 Ks in 139 AB. … Fastball, strikeout slider. … Dunn-Howard: 1-for-2, 1 K.

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RICARDO RINCON, 38: No need to revisit the Rincon Era of Cardinals baseball, though he is featured prominently in the World Series championship photo with the trophy. …. 3-year averages vs. lefties: .150/.227/.500; 7 Ks in 20 AB. … Dunn-Howard: 0-for-2, 2 K. … KENT MERCKER, 40: Former Cardinal starter who has moved to a bullpen in recent years with Cincinnati. … 3-year averages vs. lefties: .279/.338/.618; 9 Ks in 68 AB. … Dunn-Howard: 0-0. … CASEY FOSSUM, 30: Has completed the transition to the bullpen after early shots at starting, but doesn’t have the strikeout rate here and would be more of a depth signing than a difference signing. … 3-year averages vs. lefties: .304/.381/.463; 45 Ks in 270 ABs. … Dunn-Howard: 0-0.

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