The Cardinals' efforts to sign a free agent outfielder seem to be coming to head. Over the weekend, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported that the club did "extensive background work" on free agent outfielder Carlos Beltran and that Beltran was currently deciding between multiple offers of two and three years in length. In that report, Rosenthal also broke the news that the Redbirds have "expressed interest" in free agents Cody Ross and Coco Crisp.

Steve Henson of Yahoo! tweets tonight that the Cardinals are "in discussions" with Crisp to play center field and bat at the top of the order with Jon Jay shifting to right field while Craig rehabs from the knee surgery he underwent earlier this offseason.

**UPDATE**

Ace Post-Dispatch reporter Derrick Goold has contacted Crisp's agent who refused to characterize discussions, indicated that multiple teams are interested, and that a decision likely wouldn't be imminent. Goold further elaborates that some teams are checking in on Crisp "as an alternative to other outfielders" and included the Cardinals in this group.