JUPITER, Fla. -- A year after signing a non-guaranteed contract without actually returning to uniform, former All-Star center fielder Jim Edmonds may again don No. 15 next month as a spring training instructor.
The move, yet to be announced or even completely defined by the club, may lead to deeper involvement with the organization, possibly in a consultant role to general manager John Mozeliak.
Mozeliak said Wednesday morning that he was not prepared to comment publicly about Edmonds' responsibilities but confirmed that he has invited him to camp.
Initially reluctant to the idea, Edmonds has told associates he feels that a year of de facto retirement is enough separation for him to return to the game in another capacity. Edmonds retains a residence and a downtown restaurant in St. Louis.
Edmonds' return to camp occurs after Mozeliak hired former closer Ryan Franklin as a special assistant. Franklin, 38, will advise Mozeliak on personnel and perform regional scouting chores based out of his Oklahoma home.
The Cardinals' saves leader in 2008-10, Franklin entertained the idea of extending his playing career until family priorities convinced him otherwise shortly before the World Series. He discussed a move to the front office while attending two Series games in Arlington, Texas, as Mozeliak's guest. Franklin accepted his new post during December's winter meetings in Dallas.
Franklin's role approximates the one Mike Matheny held prior to being named Tony La Russa's successor as manager.
Edmonds, 41, hit 393 home runs with 1,199 RBI during a 17-year playing career that featured eight years with the Cardinals. Edmonds' arrival coincided with the team's rebound from a stagnant decade into the National League's most consistent club.
Edmonds, who twice finished among the top five in NL MVP balloting, played a significant role in the team's 2004-06 run featuring back-to-back 100-win seasons, two World Series appearances and a world championship in '06. Mozeliak traded Edmonds in December 2007 for San Diego Padres minor-league third baseman David Freese.
Edmonds played for the Padres, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers following his departure from St. Louis. His signing with the Cubs subsequent to a midseason '08 release from the Padres led to bruised feelings with La Russa when his former manager suggested that Cardinals fans not applaud a player whom he considered a turncoat for signing with the franchise's chief rival.
The following year La Russa sought out Edmonds at the Gold Glove defender's downtown restaurant, F15teen, to apologize for what he acknowledged as a mistake.
Hall of Famers Whitey Herzog and Ozzie Smith are expected to attend camp this spring in addition to Lou Brock, Bob Gibson and Red Schoendienst.
"It's really about extending the olive branch to some people who have played a big part in Cardinal history," said Mozeliak, well aware of longstanding differences shared between Smith and La Russa. "We wanted them to feel welcome if they wanted to re-engage."
