Dexter Fowler has disappointed this season, hitting 171/.276/.278 with five home runs in 66 games for the St. Louis Cardinals in the second year of his five-year, $82.5 million contract.

On Monday, John Mozeliak questioned Fowler's energy and effort during his weekly appearance on FOX Sports Midwest.

"It's been a frustrating year for everybody involved," the president of baseball operations said. "Here's a guy who wants to go out and play well. I think he would tell you it's hard to do that when you're not playing on a consistent basis. But I've also had a lot of people come up to me and question his effort and his energy level. You know, those are things that I can't defend. 

"What I can defend is trying to create opportunities for him, but not if it's at the expense of someone who's out there hustling and playing hard. And really I think everyone just needs to take a hard look in the mirror, and decide what they want that next chapter to look like. 

"And in Dexter's case, maybe taking a brief time out, trying to reassess himself, and then give him a chance for a strong second half is probably what's best for everybody. I'm hopeful to touch base with him in the near future and decide what makes the most sense, but clearly he's not playing at the level we had hoped."

Fowler is currently on paternity leave.