Cardinals manager Tony La Russa this morning acknowledged center fielder Colby Rasmus' request to be traded but offered little indication whether the club would attempt to satisfy him.

La Russa said he was aware of a similar request made during Rasmus' 2009 rookie season as well but said he believed Rasmus' feelings had softened recently.

"I think he's thinking probably the grass is not greener other places and that this is a good situation, a great organization, teammates, everything. That's what I think. You can ask him," La Russa said.

Rasmus declined to confirm his trade request before an early afternoon game against the Cincinnati Reds.

Nor did he answer whether he hoped to remain with the club beyond this season.

"I'm not going to say either way," Rasmus said.

La Russa has consistently downplayed differences with the most celebrated position player to graduate the Cardinals player development system since Albert Pujols. La Russa challenged the notion that he has strained Rasmus' playing time, citing his absence from Saturday's lineup against the Cincinnati Reds as driven by a poor matchup against lefthanded starter Travis Wood.

Pressed on Rasmus' motivation for the trade request, La Russa deferred to the player. 

"What do you want me to say? Ask Colby. Just ask Colby," La Russa said. "He can handle it however he wants to handle it. He's capable of explaining himself and what he was thinking at the time."

A source familiar with the situation said Rasmus approached general manager John Mozeliak with his request during the team's July 23-25 series against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. After Rasmus arrived late to the park due to travel complications created by an early morning downpour, La Russa chastised the player in a closed-door meeting. La Russa threatened Rasmus with an option to Triple-A Memphis, according to the source.

Rasmus afterward communicated his frustration to Mozeliak, who assured the player he was going nowhere.

Asked if Rasmus' request colored his opinion about the center fielder's future with the club, La Russa said, "Not at all, because I talked to him at the time about what were the issues. Last year it was part of growing up. I think he's grown up this year quite a bit. He's on his way."