Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak has restated the obvious. His team could use another solid starting pitcher, regardless of Kyle Lohse’s seemingly quick recovery from forearm surgery.

Landing Roy Oswalt before the waivers-free trade deadline would be difficult, for a number of reasons – including Houston’s high asking price and Astros owner Drayton McLane’s reluctance to send his ace to the arch-rival Cards.

Fortunately, Mozeliak has plenty of options. For instance, the Cards could go after Astros pitcher Brett Myers instead.

That veteran righthander boosted his trade stock with a masterful performance Tuesday night. He struck out 12 Cubs during his complete-game effort in Houston.

In all 21 starts this season, Myers has pitched at least six innings. The Cards  could really use such reliability behind their top three of Adam Wainwright, Chris Carpenter and Jaime Garcia.

Cards manager Tony La Russa has expressed admiration for Myers, noting how he became a much better pitcher after suffering injuries. Rather than trying to overpower hitters, Myers is working them with a variety of pitches.

Myers may be more of a finesse pitcher now, but he oozes mental toughness. Pitching coach Dave Duncan would love to have another veteran like this.

“For me, it’s whatever it takes to get it done,” Myers told the Houston Chronicle after his 6-1 victory over the Cubs.

“He expects to throw 120 pitches every time out,” teammate Lance Berkman told the Chronicle. “That’s his mentality, and what makes him really good is that it’s his game, and he doesn’t want to come out.”

But would the Astros trade him?

Unlike Oswalt, Myers isn’t costing the Astros much money. Finances aren’t a factor. This is why reports out of Houston suggest the front office would have to be “overwhelmed” by an offer to move him.

Myers is pulling just $3.1 million this season. His contract includes a mutual option for next season with a $2 million buyout.

But . . .

The Astros face a long rebuilding process. Next season will be difficult. This team needs to restock with as many prospects as  possible. After years of resisting such an overhaul, the time has come to start over.

While Myers would prove valuable during this transition, the Astros have a LOT of needs. They might be three or four years removed from contention. Myers, who is about to turn 30, doesn’t have time for that. He has rebuilt his value and is attractive to contenders.

The Cards know what the Astros need from earlier trade conversations, so Mozeliak should take the plunge and get Myers in the rotation in time for Sunday’s game against Pittsburgh.

Trading top pitching prospect Shelby Miller for a journeyman like Myers makes no sense, but the Cards should be prepared to deal from their surplus of major-league ready players.

Can they find spots for both Tyler Greene and Brendan Ryan? With Jon Jay emerging as a strong outfield option, what does Allen Craig’s future look like?

Is catcher Bryan Anderson ticketed for promotion in the near term or would he have value to a team lacking depth at that position?

Should the Cards continue grooming Blake Hawksworth as their No. 5 starter for 2011 or is he expendable?

This team has some chips to play with. Myers isn’t the only potential target, of course. Cleveland is in full salary-dump mode and Jake Westbrook just pitched well for the Indians. Cubs pitcher Ted Lilly could be another excellent fit.

If Mozeliak wants to take a dumpster dive – and I doubt he does at this point, given the stakes -- the Marlins just released Nate Robertson. Similar projects abound.

But Myers seems like the best fit for what the Cards need now. If there is any way to make the deal happen, Mozeliak should do it.