2014 St. Louis Cardinals
Figured we could use a bit of discussion on the defending National League Champions.
Some Opening Day Roster thoughts:
The roster is shaping up nicely and seems to have the majority of spots spoken for.
Lineup
C: Yadi
1st: Adams
2nd: Wong
3rd: MCarp
SS: Peralta
LF: Holliday
CF: Bourjos
RF: Craig
As of right now, every position is spoken for. I could see a soft platoon with Bourjos and Jay, but I think you have to go with Bourjos' superior defense.
Rotation
Waino
Lynn
Wacha
Miller
Garcia
This is tough. About 8 worthy candidates for the rotation. Waino is really the only lock. Lynn seems to be slated in, with Wacha and Shelby's success from last year giving them a spot. So really there's one spot up for grabs. I think if he is healthy it's Jaime's but these shoulder issues are becoming such a slippery slope. Joe Kelly pitched so phenomenally down the line last season, but I just see him starting the year in the pen again, he's a great 6th pitcher to have. Carlos Martinez shined while he was up last year, one day he'll be a member of the rotation, but that time is not now. Tyler Lyons could give a push for the rotation. If Jaime starts the year on the DL, I could see Lyons making some starts just to keep a lefty in the rotation.
Bench
Cruz
Ellis
Descalso
Jay
Robinson
A solid balance of righties and lefties. Cruz takes his place as the back up catcher again. Ellis will be on a soft platoon with Wong, if not always starting against lefties, as he eats them up. Descalso and Kozma will battle for that last infielder spot, I think it ultimately comes down to DD having the better bat, and being serviceable enough at short with Peralta starting, Koz will be the odd man out. Jay makes the team, as he's been the starting centerfielder in the past, and Robinson will take his spot as the last outfielder, but by July could be the odd man out, more on that later.
Pen
Cl: Rosey
SU: Motte (if healthy)
RHP: CMart
RHP: Kelly
RHP: Maness
LHP: Siegrist
LHP: Choate
A lot of locks in the pen after last year's pennant run. Rosey is back at closer, despite Motte being back from Tommy John's, who will be in the pen. Carlos Martinez is a stud, one day will be an all star caliber pitcher, but for now we get to see his heat come out of the pen. As for the long man, it seems to be Joe Kelly by default of not making the rotation. Seth Maness was a groundball machine down the road last year, I see him taking up a spot in the bullpen due to his ability to induce double plays on command. Siegrist was a stud from the left side, brings some serious heat, once a starter, now will be a late inning lefty in the pen. Choate will be back as the one out guy from the left side. Right now it's possible Motte could start the year on the DL, if that's the case, I see Pat Nieshek making the team as a NRI, however I hate having two only one out guys in the pen, so I expect his time in STL to be short, barring any other injuries to anyone else. Keith Butler is another who will eventually find himself in the pen, along with Tyler Lyons and Sam Freeman as potential lefties.
Near Future
The future is bright for the St. Louis Cardinals, an incredible amount of young talent just waiting to break out. The brightest spot is Oscar Taveras. He was injured most of last year, and is battling through spring, so he'll certainly start the year in Memphis. However, I could see him getting a call up around mid June to join the team, and be worked in to get at bats, similar to Matt Adams getting 300 PAs last season. If something were to happen to one of the starting outfielders, I see him being the one getting the call. The other interesting case is the newly signed Aledmys Diaz. Cardinals management has made it clear that they won't rush him to St. Louis, as he's virtually had the last year and a half off of baseball. They got an absolute steal with his contract and he could be a valuable piece in the later part of the season, most likely off the bench with Peralta and Wong up the middle, but if one were to struggle or be injured, Diaz could step in. Barring injury, I definitely could see both Taveras and Diaz on the Cardinals roster when the calendar turns from August 31st to September 1st.
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