State of the Birds

With the sudden resurgence of Blues hockey and the Missouri basketball program, the Cardinals have almost been lost in the shuffle on the St. Louis sports scene. This will all change Monday afternoon when the hometown nine takes to the field against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a battle for first-place in the Central Division. While the Mustangs are being gassed up and the Budweiser is being cooled, let’s take a look at the current State of the Birds.


When Cardinals management indicated that there would be extra cash to spend this off-season, I don’t think Khalil Greene, Dennys Reyes, and Trever Miller were at the top of many fans’ wish lists. Not surprisingly, the Birds managed to underwhelm a loyal fan base eager for a return to the post-season. Despite failing to land a “big name” free-agent, it appears that the Cardinals may have done just enough to position themselves to make a run at October baseball anyway.


The Bird’s bullpen, which imploded on countless occasions last season and cost the Cardinals a shot at the Wild Card, appears to be much improved. Jason Motte looks like he has nailed down the closer position and that’s a good thing because the pen blew 80 saves last year. Motte has a cannon for a right arm and is just the right amount of crazy to be an effective big league closer. Hopefully, Motte will retain the job and the skipper won’t take Ryan Franklin out of his comfort-zone as the set-up man. Rhea Perlman in her prime was probably sexier than the additions of Reyes and Miller, but the Bird’s bullpen was in serious need of a makeover from the left-side and these two southpaws have proven to be effective at shutting down their left-handed hitting counterparts. Kyle McClellan is a cause for concern. He was hideous down the stretch last year and hasn’t been any better this spring. If he makes the trip north, Tony needs to keep a short leash on McClellan.


The rotation is solid…if Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright remain healthy. Carp already has a sore calf muscle which is a cause for concern, but at least it’s not his reconstructed shoulder. It would be nice to complete a full-season without hearing about “arm slots.” Kyle Lohse got paid before the economy tanked and spent the off-season making it rain on cars and watches like he’s Lil’ Wayne. Hopefully he found some time to maintain the form that made him an integral part of the rotation last season. It’s Todd Wellemeyer’s world and we are just living in it. If he can be more economical with his pitch count, he could improve on last year’s totals and save the bullpen. Even Joel Pineiro has been pitching well this spring. Since his hissy-fit over the Secret Weapon’s decision to leave him out of Puerto Rico’s starting rotation in the WBC, he has been lights out. In a perfect world all the “ifs” and “hopes” would come to fruition. Unfortunately it’s not and the Cardinals are not deep behind their big five.


The lineup is stacked. Word out of Jupiter is that Albert Pujols will break camp as the team’s starting first baseman. The move of Skip Schumaker to second base is brilliant if he can play average defensively (Thanks Doug Vaughn). The outfield is loaded with talented bats and any way to add another to the everyday lineup is a plus. I think the change of scenery and the friendlier dimensions at Busch is just what Khalil Greene needed. The guy has proven he can hit in the past and his glove is solid. Troy Glaus is out until June at the earliest, but there is enough punch in the order to compensate. Joe Mather was sent to Memphis on Thursday, so it looks like Lafayette grad David Freese will get a shot to play consistently at the hot corner. In the outfield, Luddy and Ank should find regular playing time, but I’m interested to see how Tony plays Duncan and Rasmus. Everyone knows that Tony is butt-hurt for Dunc, but Rasmus is the future. If LaRussa plans on giving Duncan the majority of the time in the outfield, Rasmus should go down to Memphis and continue to get his at-bats. Having said that, sit Dunc, play the kid.


When it’s all said and done, I think the success of the Cardinals depends on the health of Carp and Waino and the defense at second, third, and wherever Duncan is playing. Cue the Clydesdales, let the red Kool-Aid flow, it’s baseball season again!


Extra Innings:
Softball Village?…Really? The Cardinals have sold all the urinals from old Busch, won a World Series, and packed the new Busch every night and all they can muster is a softball field and a parking lot?...Really? Isn’t Busch Stadium just a larger version of a softball field…surrounded by parking garages? C’mon Cardinals ownership…Softball Village?…Really?


Pete Eichholz plays sports writer on Thursday nights, you can read him on Fridays.
slippery11pete@yahoo.com