2008 Cardinals Preview....

I can't be as brief with my team's preview as was my good old pal Mel-Anon was with his Reds. I was worried that I would not be able to post this prior to yesterday's game, but alas the rain made opening day a wash. So what is "in the Cards," so to speak?

After a dreary 2007, which given the inability of our NL Central foes to close out proved a little more interesting than anticipated, the St. Louis Cardinals look to return to at least a .500 team. The Central features two talented clubs in the Brew Crew and the Cubbies (with excellent closers, hah!), with the Reds positioned to be a possible spoiler. The Astros and Pirates will, as is always the case, cause some trouble with one or two of the other Central teams, but it is unlikely that they can truly contend. It will take some solid play, improved defense, and getting healthy for the Cardinals to make a run at the division crown. So what do they have to work with in chasing the NL Central championship this year? Lucky for me I went to Spring Training and got to see the majority of the roster in action....

Catchers Molina and LaRue.
LaRue is a new addition to sub in for Yadi on every fifth day or so, and hopefully will recover some semblance of a bat to go with his capable defense and pitch calling game. Molina, hitting sixth by my account, looks to continue to grow as a top-notch catcher. Defensively it is difficult to find anyone better, but he still needs to drive the ball to the gaps a little more and cut down on the K's as well. His pitch calling is top notch and I expect as he continues to mature, he will have a very positive impact on the Cardinals currently disjointed pitching staff. He gunned down two Braves stealing and picked another off first in a single game of action in one of the games I watched at Spring Training. Overall Catcher Grade: A-

Infield Pujols, Kennedy, Izturis, Glaus, Miles, Washington
Pujols, best first basemen in the game, period. We do need him to have a huge year hitting in the 3-spot, if we plan on competing. Kennedy, hitting in the seven hole, will hopefully recover from all of his ailments to put up the numbers and anchor the right side of the infield like he was supposed to last year. Izturis brings improved range and overall a better glove to the left side, but at the expense of Eckstein's grit and determination. This will especially hurt at the top of the line-up, where currently the best bet is Schumaker. Izturis will likely hit eighth or ninth, depending on where LaRussa hits the pitcher. Glaus, batting cleanup, will get a chance to drive in some runs with Pujols on base in front of him. A thirty-three homer season or better should be the goal, since we need to get a lot of offense to make up for the downgrade defensively with the departure of Glaus. Of course, chemistry may also be improved with Glaus getting on much better with LaRussa than Rolen had been.

Off the bench, the infield will be supplemented with feisty (ok, not so much) Aaron Miles and Rookie Rico Washington. Washington is near thirty, so he probably isn't going to blow anyone away with natural talent. His defensive stability at third and his contact bat off the bench, however, should yield some value on the team. Miles will likely see more time this year, at least until/if Ryan makes it back to the club.

Infield Grade: B+

Outfield - Ankiel, Duncan, Ludwick, Schumaker, and Barton
Ankiel will patrol center, which leaves him some impossible defensive standards from his predecessor Edmonds. He looked very capable in the outfield and I would be surprised if there are many issues with his defense. The real question here is do you hit him second or fifth. Hitting second will ensure lots of good pitches to hit in front of Pujols, but he does strike out a lot for a two spotter. I see him in the two spot, however, because I think Duncan will be the everyday leftfielder (except against southpaws) and hit fifth. Duncan also strikes out a lot and is a defensive liability, but his bat packed in the middle of the lineup should allow for a potent and powerful core. Ludwick will likely get some starts in left as well. He looked good in the spring and his defense is quite solid. If mixed with Ludwick and Ankiel, Schumaker makes a formidable defensive outfield. Playing right and hitting leadoff will give Schumaker the chance to really show that his spring was no fluke. I anticipate a solid coming out party from Skip this year and his tenacity at the top of the order may be able to be at least comparable to Eckstein's. Barton is a rule five pick-up from the Indians and brings some needed speed to the line-up. He could definitely see some time in the outfield this season. I have an awesome picture of him laying out the Braves catcher on St. Patties day, i'll have to post that soon. His dreads are also super awesome, and he wears his socks correctly. Go Barton.

Outfield Grade: B

Pitchers
Rotation - Wainwright, Looper, Lohse, Wellmeyer, Thompson

Wainwright could be any team's solid number three, but is being forced into the role of ace of this staff. He is still only one year in to his conversion to starter, and if that isn't cause for concern, so Looper, Wellmeyer and Thompson are also relatively new to the grind of starting every fifth day. Lohse joins the rotation on a one-year $4.25 million dollar deal, which is just the going rate for a Red reject, I guess. I have hope that Lohse will be a Duncan rehab success, along the lines of Woody Williams -- and not Kip Wells. I do hope Wainwright can handle the innings because if he throws 200+, I'll gamble that he will win 17 games. Overall, it is just too thin on the backside. I don't know how this rotation can survive longer than early May.

Starting Rotation Grade: C+

Bullpen - Isringhausen, Reyes, Franklin, Springer, Flores, McClellan, Villone.

The bullpen may be one of the stronger and consistent pieces of this team. Isringhausen looked good last year after finally getting healthy with his hip. Flores and Franklin are both quite good, and Springer and Villone are established hands. Reyes is an unknown commodity and may end up in the rotation at some point. McClellan looked really good in Spring Training and has earned the opportunity to contribute as a Rookie to this pen.

Bullpen Grade: B+

On the Shelf
Clement, Carpenter, Mulder, Encarnacion, Pineiro, and Ryan.

If, a huge if, Carpenter, Mulder, and one of the other two starters can get back to expected form the Cardinals would have a very formidable rotation. Unfortunately, it seems unlikely we will see Mulder before May and Carpenter before the fourth of July. Clement and Pineiro are both big question marks, but probably a bit more solid in a rotation than Thompson or Wellmeyer for a full season. Encarnacion is out for all of 2008 and possibly forever after the foul ball to the eye incident from last year. Ryan didn't look good in spring training and may get back with the big club if he can show off that versatility in Triple-A during rehab.

No Longer on the Home Team:
Spiezio, Taguchi, Kip Wells, Eckstein, Edmonds, and Rolen

I really liked each of these four as players, but sometimes the shoe doesn't quite fit anymore. I am still bothered by losing Eckstein more than the others, because his gritty play in the field and at the top of the line-up are tough to replace. Izturis will probably offer a more solid overall defensive presence, but that will be partially lost by covering for Glaus in the hole -- where Rolen used to live. Rolen, a fellow Hoosier, will be joining Eckstein in the Canadian league (where I'm predicting the Blue Jays to triumph). Rolen will always be special to me, as I can still vividly remember how excited I was when the Cards successfully pulled him from the Phillies (though doesn't Polanco look good right now at second?). Unfortunately, his bat abandoned him following the shoulder injury in 2005. Damn Hee-Sop Choi! Edmonds takes his $9.5M salary to his home in Southern California with the Padres. I truly hope he puts up 38 homers and 200 hits over the next two years to reach the 2000/400 plateau, which given his defense, should ensure access to Cooperstown--- where he deserves to be. I also hope that Spiezio, one of my favorite pinch hitters since Gerald Perry, gets some help for his issues with substance abuse. Beating up your friend after driving drunk is never a good thing. Perhaps the most sad loss for me was of my man So!So! Taguchi. I hope he gets a chance as an everyday outfielder with the Phils, even though he is 38 his defense, speed and career .283 batting average deserve a shot. Kip Wells, good riddance...

Go CARDS!!!! Let's win 83!