INSIDE PITCH
While the Cardinals still were waiting
for a decision from free agent Matt Holliday and perhaps from free agent Mark DeRosa, manager Tony La Russa also was considering who would hit ahead of NL
Most Valuable Player Albert Pujols, as well as who might protect Pujols from
behind and what kind of balance the lineup might have.
Much of the Cardinals' pop last
season was from the right-handed side, with Pujols, Holliday, Ryan Ludwick,
Yadier Molina and DeRosa. But La Russa said, "A lot of clubs win with
right-handed hitting. It's more dangerous if you have a lot of left-handed
hitting.
"We don't know who the left
fielder is. Right now we have a left-handed-hitting second baseman, (Skip)
Schumaker, and a left-handed center fielder, (Colby Rasmus). There's room for a
left-hander or a switch hitter. I mean, I'd take Matt. I'd take a
right-handed-hitting third baseman. Good hitters are good
hitters."
Schumaker and Rasmus often were
the Nos. 1 and 2 hitters ahead of Pujols, and Holliday batted fourth exclusively
after he arrived. Before that, Ludwick, who had 22 homers and 97 RBIs, often hit
fourth behind Pujols. La Russa said he could do it again.
"He's a year older, (he's) more
experienced, and it's more fair," La Russa said.
Rasmus, one of the team's swiftest
runners, didn't run much from the No. 2 spot and, in fact, stole just three
bases in four attempts. But La Russa debunked the theory that Rasmus didn't run
because Pujols didn't want anybody moving on the bases while he was
hitting.
"Albert never has said anything
about him not running," La Russa said. "I don't give the 'run' sign to Rasmus a
lot because it opens up a base for Albert."
But La Russa didn't rule out that
Rasmus, who had 16 home runs, might be used elsewhere in the lineup,
too.
"He hit in the middle of the
lineup, and his average as fourth or fifth hitter was about the same as it was
before, maybe even better," La Russa said.
"I think we'll see how much he
develops and slot him in wherever we need him."
NOTES,
QUOTES
--CF Tyler Bighames, who was with
the Cardinals' rookie-level Gulf Coast League affiliate, was suspended 50
games for a second positive drug test. The release from the Major League
Baseball offices said Bighames tested positive for a "drug of abuse" each time.
Bighames was drafted in the 31st round of the most recent draft, meaning he's
had two positive tests since he entered the Cardinals' system in June. Bighames
hit .216 in the GCL last season with a .300 on-base
percentage.
--The Troy Glaus era, a two-year
span, apparently came to an end when he agreed to a deal with the Braves,
according to multiple media reports. Glaus, who hit 27 homers and drove in 99
runs in 2008 after coming from Toronto, was limited to just 14 games last season
after undergoing belated right shoulder surgery in
January.
--3B David Freese, charged with
driving while intoxicated in mid-December, was found to have been arrested for
DWI in 2002, also in the St. Louis area. Freese, who has entered the club's
Employee Assistance Program, will get the first shot at the vacant third base
job next spring.
--The Cardinals' 2009 payroll,
which was just shy of $103 million, ranked 11th in the majors but only third in
their division behind Chicago ($141 million) and
Houston ($108
million). The Cardinals have indicated their 2010 payroll will be between $105
and $110 million.
--With Glaus and INF Joe Thurston
both heading to Atlanta, the Cardinals' bench is sure to take
on a different look. OF Rick Ankiel is a free agent and is unlikely to return,
leaving C Jason LaRue and SS Julio Lugo as the only
returnees.
BY THE NUMBERS: 5 --
Regular-season hits for 3B Troy Glaus in 2009 after he hit 27 homers for the
Cardinals the year before.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "No question about
it. It is a concern." -- Farm director Jeff Luhnow, discussing the fact that
three Cardinals minor-leaguers have incurred 50-game suspensions for "drugs of
abuse" in the past year.
ROSTER
REPORT
The Cardinals didn't have many
needs as the season ended although they probably could use one more veteran
starting pitcher to go with RHPs Chris Carpenter, Adam Wainwright and Kyle Lohse. RHPs Joel Pineiro and Todd Wellemeyer, who filled out the rotation, both
likely will be gone as free agents.
BIGGEST NEEDS: When the Cardinals
were dismissed early from the playoffs, they set the wheels in motion to try to
re-sign free agent LF Matt Holliday and also 3B Mark DeRosa. Holliday, however,
seemed likely to go into the open market.
ARRIVAL: RHP Brad Penny (free
agent from Giants).
DEPARTURES: RHP Brad Thompson
(released, signed minor league deal with Royals), INF Joe Thurston (free agent,
signed minor league deal with Braves), 3B Troy Glaus (free agent, signed with
Braves, pending physical).
FREE AGENTS: RHP Joel Pineiro, RHP
Todd Wellemeyer, RHP John Smoltz, INF Khalil Greene, INF Mark DeRosa, OF Rick
Ankiel, LF Matt Holliday.
The Cardinals have large interest
in keeping Holliday and DeRosa and some interest in Smoltz. The others probably
are gone.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE: OF Ryan
Ludwick, 2B Skip Schumaker.
Schumaker will make more as a
second baseman than an outfielder. Ludwick likely will get close to $7 million
and might have to be traded for payroll relief if Holliday signs a multiyear
deal.
IN LIMBO: OF Ryan Ludwick, a
candidate to be traded last year, could be dealt this time. RHP Josh Kinney, a
playoff hero in 2006, probably won't return.
MEDICAL
WATCH:
3B Mark DeRosa (left wrist surgery
in October 2009) should be ready for spring training.
1B Albert Pujols (arthroscopic
right elbow surgery in October 2009) should be back at full strength for spring
training.