INSIDE PITCH
The Cardinals' clubhouse mix last
year was cited as one of the reasons why the club was able to overcome a huge
deficit not only to make the playoffs but to win the World Series. But, many key
members of that team now are gone.
Among them are first
baseman Albert Pujols, infielder Ryan Theriot, right-hander Edwin Jackson,
right-handed reliever Octavio Dotel, left-handed reliever Arthur Rhodes,
infielder Nick Punto and catcher Gerald Laird. And, of course, manager Tony La
Russa also has left.
But general manager John
Mozeliak believes the remaining players still will provide good chemistry. "I do
think the leadership we have on hand for the coming season made up a lot of the
core strength we enjoyed last year," said Mozeliak. "But I would agree that you
can never take those things for granted. It's something you work on from Day
1."
Lance Berkman, the
outfielder/first baseman who helped keep the clubhouse loose last season, also
acknowledged the importance of harmony.
"I don't think you can
discount it entirely," Berkman said. "It's a special mix of guys. Everybody adds
something to that. Whenever you start subtracting pieces, those guys are going
to be missed. But I do believe we have a lot of high-character guys remaining.
There are a lot of guys who are going to drive this thing. It's just going to be
different."
Veteran right-hander
Chris Carpenter surmised that catcher Yadier Molina, more of a quiet leader
heretofore, could take a more vocal role. Outfielder Matt Holliday also might be
heard more, too.
"I'm not a loud yeller,"
said Holliday. "But I'm not afraid to talk to young players about
things.
"I'm available for
whatever is asked of me. I work for the St. Louis Cardinals and, if the job
description changes and more is asked of me, that's part of my
job."
NOTES,
QUOTES
LHP J.C. Romero, an
offseason signing, said he had reached a legal settlement in his three-year
battle regarding a tainted supplement he had taken. Romero, as a member of the
Philadelphia Phillies, had been forced to serve a 50-game suspension at the
start of the 2009 season but had argued that he hadn't knowingly ingested the
substance. "My job was to fight to the end and clear my name," said Romero. "I
achieved that."
SS Rafael Furcal will
retain No. 15 this season, even though OF Carlos Beltran, who also has worn that
number, has signed on. Beltran said he planned to wear No. 3, which had belonged
to departed INF Ryan Theriot last season.
RHP Mitchell Boggs had an
up-and-down 2011 season in which he both relieved at the major league level,
even closing for a couple of weeks, and then started for several weeks in the
minors. He likely figures in the mix as a reliever this season and said, "I feel
like I've got a lot to prove this year. I feel like I can be great … I look
forward to backing that up."
INF Tyler Greene, who has
been unable to stick in the majors for a full season—although he has played with
the Cardinals in parts of three seasons—has a chance at winning at least part of
the 2B job this spring. "We do want to see Tyler get a strong opportunity there," Mozeliak
said. "We look at his athleticism and what he's capable of doing … seeing that
for a large volume or 150 games would be quite
interesting."
RHP Adam Wainwright, out
last season after Tommy John elbow surgery, already is immersed in a throwing
program in Jupiter, Fla., the Cardinals' spring training site.
Wainwright said he expected to be full bore at the start of the season but
suggested that "they're probably going to pull the reins in on me in the
beginning."
BY THE NUMBERS: .175 -
RHP Kyle Lohse's 2011 batting average, highest for a returning Cardinals
SP.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We
understand that we put our best foot forward and it didn't work
out."
- General manager John
Mozeliak, talking to fans about the failed negotiations to retain free-agent 1B
Albert Pujols.
ROSTER
REPORT
The Cardinals are coming off a
World Series title, but general manager John Mozeliak realizes the big
turnaround in the season came in late July and early August when the club
changed 20 percent of its roster with five additions. Now that first baseman
Albert Pujols is gone, the Cardinals are entering a new era, and they replaced
some of Pujols' offense by signing OF Carlos Beltran.
ARRIVALS:
OF Carlos Beltran (free agent from
Giants), LHP J.C. Romero (free agent from Rockies).
DEPARTURES:
1B Albert Pujols (free agent,
signed with Angels), RHP Octavio Dotel (free agent, signed with Tigers), C
Gerald Laird (free agent, signed with Tigers), INF Nick Punto (free agent,
signed with Red Sox).
FREE AGENTS:
RHP Edwin Jackson, OF
Corey Patterson, LHP Arthur Rhodes, INF Ryan Theriot.
ARBITRATION
ELIGIBLE:
RHP Jason Motte.
MEDICAL
WATCH:
OF Allen Craig (knee
surgery) is out until May.
RHP Adam Wainwright is in
Jupiter, Fla.
to begin throwing in earnest. He expects to be ready for spring
training.