When he decides whether he wants to return as Cardinals manager for next season, Tony La Russa said he'll have to determine if the stresses of this season have frayed or weakened his relationship with his cornerstone players. "There have been periods this year when we have struggled ? where I had to honestly let the team know we had to keep pushing," La Russa said Tuesday. "The product of that could be some strained relationships. There may have been some people who got their feelings hurt. If there is a lingering effect, that's significant." La Russa has declined often to talk specifically about his expiring contract and whether he wants to return to the Cardinals for a 13th season. Both ownership and general manager Walt Jocketty have said they hope to re-sign La Russa, but he has deflected such overtures to the offseason.