I'm going to play GM for a moment, as most fans enjoy doing from time to time. We are closing in on the end of a very disappointing season for us Cardinal fans, a season that was supposed to end in the playoffs and perhaps having a shot at another World Series title is about to finish up with the Cardinals firmly in 2nd place. What makes this even more disappointing is the really good core of players that we have, unfortunately the surrounding parts just werent good enough.
Lets start with that core, Albert Pujols, Matt Holliday, Adam Wainwright, Jamie Garcia, Yadier Molina, Colby Rasmus, Kyle Loshe (not great but signed for another year and has proven that he can be a solid #4 or #5 pitcher), and Ryan Franklin(needs to be a setup guy in my opinion). First of all i'd like to say that I believe this is a core group of players that can be built around successfully and very fast. So what to do with the roster from here?
First i'd give Suppan every opportunity to win a spot in the rotation if he will take a smaller contract next year, since coming back to the Cardinals in June his record has only been 2-5 but his era is a very respectable 4.12, especially for a end of the rotation pitcher, he will need to accept less money though as I said earlier. A rotation of Garcia (if he can build on his spectacular rookie season, Carpenter and Waino (as good of a 1-2 combo in the game), mixed with Loshe and Suppan is good enough to win I believe.
Next I would decide to keep Brendan Ryan as my starting shortstop, he is a premium defensive shortstop in the game and I firmly believe that his hitting struggles this season are not indicative of his actual ability. He will never hit for power or drive in a ton of runs but I think he can be a solid 8 or 9 hitter, depending on where LaRussa hits the pitcher. I would move Skip Schumaker back to his previous role as a platoon outfielder/infielder and I would attempt to sign a new second baseman, I would take a long hard look at Descalso first though. He is only 23, has proven in his short time with the big league club that he can hit and appears to be a better defensive option than Schumaker. I would attempt to Aaron Miles as a bench guy and I would give Tyler Greene every opportunity to make the team as a utility type guy, hopefully he can finally translate his Minor League success into Major League success.
I would stand firm with the backup Catcher position, I think Pagnozzi or Anderson are both decent and cheap options, Pagnozzi the better defensive catcher which LaRussa and Duncan have shown a preference to in the past.
With the Outfield I would move Holliday to Right Field as he has said he wouldn't mind and I would attempt to sign a veteran Left Fielder who either has some power or can be a lead-off guy, Carl Crawford is my dream but im certain that is a pipe dream at best. I think Jon Jay is an excellent option as far as platooning with Schumaker in a backup/pinch hitting role but I am not sure if he is ready to handle the everyday load yet. I would also give Allen Craig another look, the guy can rake at the plate and I am hopeful that his recent streak toward the end of the season is more indicative of his potential at the Big League level than what he has shown most of the season.
The bullpen is a must fix, outside of Franklin, McClellan, and Motte. I also wouldn't mind seeing Boggs and Salas brought back if they continue to improve. We need another lefty specialist, we need to keep one of either Reyes or Miller but not both in my opinion. I do think we need a new closer, whether that is McClellan, Motte, or someone new, it needs to happen.
Now, having said all that, I don't claim to be any kind of payroll genius and I realize the Cardinals have some limitations, especially with trying to resign Pujols. My overall point is that this is a roster that can be worked with.
I am quite excited about what the off-season brings, I do think that this is an off-season that will form my opinion of our GM and depending on the moves made will tell me if I am to be excited about the next 5-6 years or if we are about to move into a rebuilding phase for a few years.
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