*** Official St Louis Cardinals to the 2006 World Series Thread ***

[StlCardsBlues]

I think the Cards are going to be allright this year. I think that Edmonds will have a bounce back year and hopefully Rolen will stay healthier than he has the last couple of years. I think the rotation could be dominant as I see Ponson really stepping it up and Mulder should have a more consistant season, this being his 2nd year in the NL. Carpenter will compete for the Cy Young again, Suppan is always solid, and Marquis has looked pretty good this Spring.

I do think they might pick up a 2nd baseman sometime this summer, but the Cards seem to be able to turn anybody into a good 2nd baseman the last few years, so Spivey might just work out after all. I also think the Encarnacion and Taguchi or whomever ends up in left will be able to replace Walker and Sanders fine, especially since Walker was hurt so much down the stretch.

My main concern is the bullpin. Izzy always scares me a little bit and they lost a lot of guys in front of him. Hopefully some of the young guns really step it up in key situations late in the game.

I still look for a NL Central Championship, but the playoffs could be dicey with the bullpin. Here's hoping they can pull it off though.

B.

[ftball0000]

[ QUOTE ]
I am kind of worried about a fall off for the Card's. They lose Reggie Sanders, Larry Walker, Mark Grudz, Matt Morris as well many of their top relievers. Rolen and Edmonds have been hurting and Pujols seems to play through alot of nagging injuries.

Junior Spivey has totally sucked at second base and Larry Bigbie, the starting left fielder, will begin the season on the DL. The top pitching prospect, Reyes, was hit hard and sent back down to AAA this week.

On the bright side Ponson has looked very impressive this spring. Rolen is playing this year and hopefully his shoulder will hold out. Albert and Carp are studs! Hopefully there is money to sign some vets at the trading deadline!

Thank you,

Jim Kuhn
Catfish4u
[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]



[/ QUOTE ]

I really really wanted to edit that picture to say "post in the right forum moran" But alas I am too lazy.... oh yeah, GO YANKEES

-Proud Member of the Evil Empire

[Jim Kuhn]

Some morans can't even post in the correct forum! Sorry! I would have sworn I posted in the sporting events forum.

Thank you,

Jim Kuhn
Catfish4u
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[Jim Kuhn]

The Cardinals relief pitchers have been awesome this spring. They cut Jeff Nelson and I don't think he allowed an earned run. I know, I know, it is only spring training but............. They have a very good starting pitching staff! Most of the starters are free agents after this year.

Thank you,

Jim Kuhn
Catfish4u
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[Clarkmeister]

Health is a major concern as this team isn't very deep anywhere. Should win the NL Central but that's simply because they went backwards less than anyone else. Rolen coming back healthy is effectively a huge addition.

Houston has some great young players coming up so they should again be pushing. The rest of the division is way in the rear view mirror. Maybe the Brewers run up for the show spot.

[Nate tha\\\' Great]

Batting Eighth<font color="#666666">Eighth</font><font color="pink">Eighth </font>
And Playing Left Field<font color="#666666">Field</font><font color="pink">Field</font>
Number Ninety Nine<font color="#666666">Nine</font><font color="pink">Nine</font>
So<font color="#666666">So</font><font color="pink">So</font>
Taguchi<font color="#666666">Taguchi</font><font color="pink">Taguchi</font>

[Clarkmeister]

[ QUOTE ]
Batting Eighth<font color="#666666">Eighth</font><font color="pink">Eighth </font>
And Playing Left Field<font color="#666666">Field</font><font color="pink">Field</font>
Number Ninety Nine<font color="#666666">Nine</font><font color="pink">Nine</font>
So<font color="#666666">So</font><font color="pink">So</font>
Taguchi<font color="#666666">Taguchi</font><font color="pink">Taguchi</font>

[/ QUOTE ]

It's all about JRod baby! (hey, apparently you need a Rod to be successful.)

[Jim Kuhn]

JRod may be back in triple A next week. Although with Bigbie going on the DL JRod will have a better chance of making the club. According to the St Louis Post Dispatch JRod, Chris Duncan, John Gall and Skip Schumaker are fighting for one or two outfield spots. I would not be surprised if Aaron Miles starts at second base instead of Junior Spivey or at least replaces him early in the season.

Thank you,

Jim Kuhn
Catfish4u
[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]

[nolanfan34]

I'm concerned about the OF depth as well. But I have high hopes for some of that Cardinal magic to work wonders on Encarnacion - I smell a career year coming. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

I think having Rolen back will be good for Edmonds as well, less pressure I would think. If he, Rolen and Pujols stay healthy, it doesn't get better than those 3 in the NL, IMO.

The Brewers concern me more than any other team in the division, because I think Weeks, Fielder, and Hardy are going to be better than people are predicting (in the generic sense, not the PECOTA sense). But I think they're still a year away from being a major threat.

[Joe Tall]

This thread has the perfect title. You'd think Cards fans would be sick of them "getting there" with no results, but no, guess not.