New Look in 2008

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Well -



I am back for the new season, and suprisingly very optimistic about 2008. I have a few predictions for the Cards - and some comments about the pitching staff/lineup...



- Skip Schumaker will be an excellent leadoff hitter. If healthy, he should hit .300 and steal 10-25 bases...and have a very good OBP. Look for him to be an outstanding outfielder as well...making plays that we thought only Edmonds was capable of. Team MVP.



- Rick Ankiel should hit 25 homers and drive in 80-90 runs. He will step into Scott Rolen's offensive postion and give us some thrills with his cannon in center. Colby is not a threat to him...he will simply shift to right. Ludwick, no matter how well he is hitting is expendable...as is Duncan.



- Pujols will be his usual MVP caliber self. Injury questions are silly - Albert will play until his arm falls off...and play well.



- Brian Barton will be an exciting player off the bench. While Spezio was a fan favorite, Barton should make the smart fans cheer. His talent is underscored by his attitude.



- Kyle Lohse should be strong early on and fade at the break. Once the league has adapted to his newfound curve ball, he will be raked - and raked mightily. Wainwright will win 14-16 ballgames and maybe more if his offense does not let him down. Reyes will be back in the starting 5 by the break. He is too valuable to sit on the bench...

Look for the Cards to finish 3rd in the Central division at a minimum. They are a young and hungry bunch who are capable of BIG things.

Rolen for Glaus

On paper, I like the trade - though I am still a fan of Scott Rolen's overall ability. The problem is that Scotty fells that he is still the star caliber player he was in 2003-04, and he simply is not. He is soft, and injury prone - and defense alone does not merit $36 million for the next 3 years on a team desperate for starting pitching. Tony had Rolen pegged, and Scott knew it - which is why he was so angry and demanded the trade.

Glaus is a capable replacement. What the Cards lost in defense, they will probably make up for in offense. From what I understand, Troy is a good joe - someone who is far from a clubhouse cancer...and that is what the Cards need. A quiet leader, not a loudmouthed disgruntled injured softie. If Troy is hurt, expect to see Spezio, Miles and Ryan all try their hands at the hot corner...

In other news, Tony has hinted that Colby Rasmus will be given every opportunnity to be the starting center fielder for the Cards in '08. That is noble, but TOny is smart enough to know that Rasmus is not quite ready...though the seed has been planted. I'll bet Colby was in the cage after dinner.

I like the Cards chances as a team in 2008 - I wish we had a little more depth in the rotation...but, hey - all teams wish that. Houston is the team to beat in the Central Division.
Winter Warmup - or crack for Cards fans is this weekend. See you there.

Predictions 2008: Opening Day Lineup Revised

Izturis
Ankiel
Albert
Duncan
Scott
Schumaker
Kennedy (Ryan)
Yadi


The guys in blue could win spots based on good spring performances. Skip can also be an effective leadoff hitter, and I would expect him to have a decent season if he plays more than 100 games as a starter.

Edmonds for Freese - Done Deal

Not too disappointed about the Edmonds trade, though I wish they would have done it last year. Might have lit a fire under Colby's ass...and brought up that average a little. I say Schumaker in center batting #2, Dunc in Left batting #4 and Ankiel #3 in left. Still a pretty formidable lineup lest someone goes down with injury (or attitude).
If Izturis provides strong defense up the middle, and gives us a good OBP, he bats leadoff...but prepare Ryan for the worst...after all, he may be playing third for a while.

Scott had better check himself. His is not very attractive at this point in his career...huge salary, oft injured and twice cobattive with management. I agree with Tony by the way.

Edmonds and Rolen at the Winter Meetings

Cardinals GM John Mozeliak has made it clear to Cardinal Nation that while the Cardinals are not trying to move stars Jim Edmonds and Scott Rolen - he will trade them if the Cards can pick up either a quality starting pitcher, or impact bat. Seriously, Johnny - just keep them around. Rolen's attitude toward LaRussa is childish. Tony is the manager, and Scott is the player who complains about everything that does not go his way. It happened in Philly too. I am sure Rolen is a good guy and all, but for God's sake Scott - you are in the midst of your largest MLB salary, and are playing ball in place you dreamed about as a child. Do you really want to play in Milwaukee? If you think you are overshadowed in STL - Try playing with the Prince, and Pujols clone Ryan Braun.

Now for Jimmy - I say, keep him around for the leadership if nothing else. Edmonds has qualities that few MLB players have - 5 tools, a great attitude and leadership capabilities. His injures are consistent with a guy in his late 30's, so you deal with it, and platoon some younger guys there until Colby Rasmus is ready in 2009. In the meantime, Skip or Ankiel could play that position adequately...

Just my two bits.

Mozeliak is the Man

Today, the Cards announced that they have signed the assistant GM to a three year deal. This decision should make wonderers in Cards Nation happy, since Johnny Boy is a protege of the departed Walt Jocketty.

According to sources, John has a way with both sides...gently stroking the underside of each. Sounds like a manipulator - but in this situation, that personality trait should work out nicely for him. I already like the moves he has made in the bullpen and starting rotation -

Now, go out there and get us an impact hitter and a #2 starting pitcher.

Good Luck JM.

See ya Walt

It really stinks when Cardinals brass are wrong, and need to place blame - or set an example. In this case, Walt Jocketty - the greatest MLB GM ever, has been dismissed for disagreeing with the baseball philosophies of Card's owner Bill Dewitt. Dewitt comes accross as an arrogant and omnipresent figure in Cardinal nation. He takes credit when things are good - places blame when things are bad. What Walt Jocketty did on a limited budget over the past 10 years has been incredible. Mr. Dewitt forgets that the turnstlye reciepts from 1998 have allowed him the luxury of wall papering his office with 1926 ticket stubs.

At any rate, John Mozeliak may be a suitable replacement, but to say he was shocked by the "festivities" might be a white lie to Cardinal Nation....we'll see what happens.

If Dewitt authorizes a $15 million dollar increase in payroll for 2008, I may boycott the stadium altogether...and become a Cleveland Indians fan.

Here is my summary of the Cardinals needs...and who I would like to see fill them.

Starting Pitcher(s) - we need a veteran and a youngster to step up...can we trade for Scott Kazmir? If the Cubs are so down on Carlos Zambrano...can we pursue him? He seems like the veangeful type.

Impact Bat - Again, time to trade...A-Rod, 3 years, $100 million? Probably not. Give me Jeff Kent for 1 season at $2 million...find someone in the meantime.

3rd base/Short? Sign Eckstein. Unless you are able to get back Edgar Renteria....he hustles and has developed arm strength. Third, forget getting rid of Rolen people...he is still capable of being a marquee player when healthy.

Rotation:

Wainwright

NEED

Mulder?

NEED

Looper

LINEUP: 2008 Opening Day

Eckstein

Schumaker

Pujols

Edmonds

Ankiel

Miles

Molina

Spezio (Rolen?)

If given adequate playing time, Schumaker should be a very good hitter...thus making Duncan expendable.