Four weeks from the season opener. Time to take a first look/guess at what the opening day roster might look like. I think the big question is whether the Cards are going to take 12 or 13 pitchers north. Given the makeup of the projected pitching staff, added to TLR's tendency to prefer more pitching depth than lineup depth, my early guess is that they'll start the season with 13 pitchers. Three things make me think this: 1) many of our bullpen guys are short order pitchers, such as Dennys Reyes, Trever Miller, and Josh Kinney; 2) a couple of our starters struggled to go deep in games early last year, Joel Pineiro and Todd Wellemeyer; 3) it is very likely that the Cards will tread carefully with Chris Carpenter's innings count early in the season. I believe those three things make it a given that Brad Thompson will be part of the staff as an innings eater and that will lead to 13 pitchers on the opening day roster.
Other things that are becoming obvious to me are that David Freese's injury means that Joe Mather is going to start the season at 3B and Skip Schumaker is going to be the 2nd baseman. A good spring thus far by Chris Duncan probably solidifies his status on the roster. Tyler Greene is getting a lot of time in the early spring games in the middle infield, and is hitting .300 at this point. He could definitely be there as a reserve infielder.
Given the above, here is my initial projection:
Rotation: Adam Wainwright, Carp, Kyle Lohse, Wellemeyer and Pineiro
Bullpen: Chris Perez, Reyes, Miller, Kinney, Ryan Franklin, Thompson, Jason Motte and Kyle McClellan
Catchers: Yadi Molina and Jason LaRue
Infield: Albert Pujols, Schumaker, Khalil Greene, Mather, Tyler Greene and Brendan Ryan
Outfield: Ryan Ludwick, Rick Ankiel, Colby Rasmus and Chris Duncan
Taking only four outfielders is tight, but is doable given that Mather can move to the outfield and Ryan or Tyler Greene can step in at 3rd. If TLR takes 12 pitchers instead of 13, I would look for Brian Barton to be the extra outfielder.
This projection leaves guys like Joe Thurston, Nick Stavinoha and John Jay being sent to Memphis, along with of course, Bryan Anderson.
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I have a quiet confidence about this year's ball club. Quiet in the fact that I don't want to say anything to jinx us! We're one injury away from complete disaster. Problem is, it can happen on a number of fronts. A tweaked shoulder from Carp, a bum elbow from Pujols, a sore back from Ankiel. If anybody goes down for a significant amount of time, we could be done.
Depending on performance, we may have the depth in the outfield to withstand an injury. But there's no way we can lose Pujols and compete. He changes the way the opposing team pitches to the entire lineup. There's also no way we could afford an injury in the starting rotation. Most especially to Wainwright or Carpenter.
So while I have confidence that the team we trot out there on opening day this year can win...
Well, let's just say that I have less confidence that that same team can make it a whole year pain free.
STLguy
Dupo , IL
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I agree with you that Tony will probably take 13 pitchers, but I hope he doesn't. I think the rotation will work deep enough that it won't be needed, and I think that with the position players we have playing out of position that he is going to need the depth there more than in the pitching staff.
The only other thing I think is that they will want Tyler Greene to play every day at Memphis, so Brian Barden may get that utility role. He's hitting well right now too.
Vulcan
Total Comments (93)
Ten, Bravo. I was thinking something similiar. I agree with you about the OF. 4 is a little tight, but think we can add Barton in the OF.
redbird1
Hopewell, VA
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Looks like Tyler Greene got sent out, so maybe Barden takes his place in the above?
Vulcan
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Maybe Barden, maybe Joe Thurston.
STLGuy - I agree with you about the injuries. I think we can overcome Glaus being out for 6-8 weeks, and I think we could overcome anyone else being out besides AP, Wainwright and Carpenter. Another member of the rotation could be plugged temporarily with McClellan, Boggs or Walters......but we can't lose Adam or Carp for any extended time period.
TenRingsSTL
Total Comments (4267)
Sounds like TLR is going to take 12 pitchers and not 13. That might leave Brad Thompson as the odd man out.
I think Brian Barden might make it in place of Tyler Greene in my above list, and David Freese is going to be there now.
TenRingsSTL
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