GRAND CENTER — Both Chicago papers are reporting that Jim Edmonds could be a Cub shortly after he flies off waivers this week, having been released over the weekend by San Diego. A signature Cardinal — one of several members of the 2004 pennant-winning team to have a tough weekend (Julian Tavarez, for example) — is said to be attractive to the Cubs as an option other than youngster Felix Pie in Wrigley Field’s center…

TOWER GROVE — While we check around the house to see if anything has been shaken loose, shaken up or shaken down, here are some riffs from the ballpark:

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When David Eckstein became a Cardinal, the team discussed with him a way to increase his arm strength. The shortstop who had a “playable” arm — manager Tony La Russa’s word — and a max-effort motion improved his arm during his three seasons as a Cardinal by going…

TOWER GROVE — The Cardinals jet off on their first road trip of the season having let so few of their opposing hitters take flight at all this season. Much has been made of the Cardinals rotation’s sub-1.00 ERA through six games and the staff as a whole has an ERA of 1.83, better than every team in baseball save the LA Dodgers and their 1.70.

That’s the macro picture. The micro is even more…

JUPITER, Fla. — If the Cardinals wanted to bundle all of the ways to strum Kyle McClellan’s nerves in his “debut” as a starting pitcher, they couldn’t have been more successful than Friday’s live batting practice session.

McClellan, making the switch from bullpen to rotation, was throwing in front of pitching coach Dave Duncan, with an owner and front-office execs looking on, at catcher Yadier Molina, and — the coup de grace — to hitter…

JUPITER, Fla. — It might have been while they were doing kickboxing or speed boxing, or maybe pulling another lug up a hill, or possibly darting up stadium stairs. Whenever it was and however badly they wanted to hurl or plunge their screaming muscles into a vat of ice, the three major leaguers knew one thing when trainer Jim Moss barked, “OK, just one more.”

He was lying.

“His ‘one more’ is full of (marbles),” Cardinals outfielder…

TOWER GROVE — Three years ago, the Cardinals were coming off a World Series appearance and on their way to the second of three consecutive NLCS berths. They boasted a veteran-laden lineup and a highly-decorated outfield.

Injuries limited the number of games the trio of planned starters played together, but when Reggie Sanders and Larry Walker flanked Jim Edmonds in the Cardinal outfield they carried a combined 33 playoff series, 10 All-Star Games, one MVP,…

TOWER GROVE — A brief detour before we plunge back into the Decisions (in) 2008 facing the Cardinals. It’s a topic sure to be watched, analyzed and debated all summer long. After a offseason of shedding its stars, the Cardinals almost beg the question themselves:

What former Cardinal is set to have the biggest year with his new team?

There are many candidates; most are of the comeback variety. Will Scott Rolen’s healthier mood mean a healthier shoulder…

DOWNTOWN — Before leaving Busch Stadium for Oklahoma and the offseason, Cardinals reliever Ryan Franklin said he approached the Cardinals about moving back to the rotation.

He didn’t have a preference, he just wanted a heads up.

“I told them, If you guys are going to want me to start, let me know ahead of time,” Franklin said when he met with the media Sunday afternoon at the Winter Warm-Up. “But they haven’t said anything,…

DOWNTOWN — The curtain pulled back and the Cardinals’ new third baseman was unleashed to an adoring public.

Or, maybe it was vice versa.

A standing ovation greeted Troy Glaus, the first headliner of the 12th annual Winter Warm-Up. Glaus, acquired this week in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays, made his first public appearance as a Cardinal at the Millennium Hotel this morning, shortly before 11 a.m. local time.

“Welcome to baseball heaven!” shouted…

TOWER GROVE — Newest Cardinal Troy Glaus and departing Gold Glover Scott Rolen passed physicals early Monday and shortly before 5 p.m. St. Louis time the commissioner’s office approved the perpetually reported swap of All-Star third basemen between the Cardinals and Toronto.

The Blue Jays will formally introduce Rolen on Tuesday.

The Cardinals, out of deference to Marty Hendin’s visitation, will hold a press conference Wednesday to introduce Glaus.

Glaus came to town as scheduled…