INSIDE PITCH
As the Cardinals made their
offseason plans for 2012, one of the surprising elements of their thinking was
that third baseman David Freese, who had surgery on both ankles last year, would
be ready for the start of the season. So far, they haven't signed any other
left-side infielders.
For his part, Freese doesn't seem
concerned. The St. Louis high school and college product, who hasn't played a
full season since 2008 because of injury, said the Cardinals will be seeing a
different player in Jupiter, Fla., next month.
"I think they'll be excited with
what they see," said Freese while working out in St. Louis. "I want it to be like they're
getting a new third baseman."
Cardinals general manager John
Mozeliak called Freese's rehabilitation "encouraging" but noted that the goal
was to have him "ready for Opening Day, not Day 1 of spring
training."
The 27-year-old Freese said, "It is absolutely the most important year of
my baseball career. I had a taste in '09 and was in the middle of it last year,
so now it's time to go. Getting through this season unscathed is top priority.
Honestly, I'm not worried about my numbers. I'm worried about games played. If
your games played are there, then your numbers will be,
too."
Freese hit .296 with 36 runs
batted in over 70 games last season before ankle soreness interrupted his rookie
season. He was about set to return, but during a minor league game at Class AA
Springfield in early August while he was on a medical rehabilitation assignment,
Freese suffered a tendon injury in his right ankle while rounding first base. He
was done for the season.
The Cardinals still are likely
this spring to entertain adding an infielder who can play both shortstop and
third base, just to protect themselves. But if Freese is healthy, the job is
his.
"He's our third baseman, and he
was our third baseman at less than 100 percent," manager Tony La Russa said.
"That should say something about what we think of his talent when he's
right."
NOTES,
QUOTES
--2B Skip Schumaker, who had an
off year both at bat and in the field last season, has altered his offseason
program as he enters his third season as a full-time infielder and not as an
outfielder. That includes taking groundballs from Dec. 1 on.
--The Cardinals have won more Gold
Gloves than any other club, but the 2010 team was not strong defensively and
since that season began, two of the Cardinals' better defenders, SS Brendan Ryan
and RF Ryan Ludwick, have been traded away. The offense, at shortstop anyway,
has been upgraded with the addition of Ryan Theriot, but manager Tony La Russa
concedes there needs to be a balance. "You could find a way to have a team
that's all defense making all the plays," said La Russa, "and you can put
together a lineup that is just out there to generate runs. If you want to win a
championship, you better find players who know how to do
both."
--OF Lance Berkman will be one of
the Cardinals' new defenders, taking over right field when he hasn't played the
outfield since 2007. But GM John Mozeliak said he wasn't worried that the
overall defense will be weaker. "I'm of the belief that the defense question is
being overstated," Mozeliak said. "Overall, the idea that we've lessened our
club that much defensively -- I guess I understand from the comment that we
traded Brendan (Ryan). But I don't see the big change. I think this is going to
be a good defensive club, if not better."
--The training staff has been
revised for 2011. Assistant athletic trainer Greg Hauck will take over the top
spot, with longtime head athletic trainer Barry Weinberg assuming the
assistant's role.
--Manager Tony La Russa, who will
be managing the Cardinals for a record 16th straight season, will be roasted at
the St. Louis Baseball Writers' dinner on Jan. 16. La Russa, who has a one-year
contract with an option for a second, has 2,638 victories -- 125 shy of
second-place John McGraw on the all-time list.
BY THE NUMBERS: 10 -- Winning
seasons the Cardinals have had out of the last 11.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I see no reason
why I can't be back to where I was." -- 3B David Freese, who had two ankle
surgeries last year.
ROSTER
REPORT
The Cardinals entered the
offseason with one of the best core groups in baseball: 1B Albert Pujols, LF
Matt Holliday, RHPs Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter and Gold Glove C Yadier Molina. They have tried to upgrade the supporting cast, particularly by signing
outfielder Lance Berkman.
ARRIVALS: C Gerald Laird (free
agent from Tigers), RF Lance Berkman (free agent from Yankees), LHP Brian Tallet
(free agent from Blue Jays), SS Ryan Theriot (trade with
Dodgers).
DEPARTURES: INF Brendan Ryan
(traded to Mariners), LHP Dennys Reyes (free agent, signed with Phillies), RHP
Blake Hawksworth (traded to Dodgers).
FREE AGENTS: 3B Pedro Feliz, RHP
Mike MacDougal, OF Randy Winn, INF Aaron Miles, RHP Jeff Suppan, RHP Brad Penny.
It is probable that none of them
will be brought back.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE: RHP Kyle McClellan.
McClellan is one of the best
middle relievers in the game but doesn't have much in the way of stats covering
saves and wins.
MEDICAL
WATCH:
--3B David Freese (right ankle
surgery in August 2010, left ankle surgery in September 2010) should be ready
for spring training.
--LHP Jaime Garcia (left arm
fatigue), RHP Adam Wainwright (right forearm strain) and C Yadier Molina (right
knee inflammation) all were shut down at the end of the season. All are expected
to be ready for spring training.