It’s time for some awards.  Daniel over at C70 at the Bat again put out the ballot to the United Cardinal Bloggers group.  The final tallies should be up on his site in a day or two. Here were my picks:
1.  Player of the Year
Albert Pujols
This was an easy choice.  Albert puts up gaudy numbers with more consistency than anyone in baseball.  He took home a handful of awards this season, including his second MVP.  Ryan Ludwick had a lot to do with the Cardinals hanging in the race, but without The Mang, Ludwick isn’t even an All-Star.
2.  Pitcher of [...]

Today was the first day of this offseason’s free agent period, when players and their agents can officially speak numbers to interested teams.  With the huge crop of attractive free agents this winter, it should turn out to be a fairly lengthy process, with plenty of hot stove rumors.
Sometimes it can get confusing, but knowing the deadlines is a good start when sorting through the mess.  Now that the first date has arrived, let’s take a look at the schedule to come.

December 1 –  Deadline for clubs to offer salary arbitration to their ranked free agents, and still receive compensation.
December [...]

The National League Silver Sluggers were announced today, and it was no surprise that the two Cardinal All-Stars were selected.  The award, which is voted on by the league’s coaches and managers, is given to the best offensive performers at each position.
Albert Pujols put up a line of .357/.462/.653 to win his fourth Silver Slugger, adding to his already crowded trophy case.  He’s also the leading candidate for the NL MVP award.
Ryan Ludwick’s line of .299/.375/.591 was good enough to garner his first Silver Slugger, joining Matt Holliday and Ryan Braun as the three most potent outfield bats in the [...]

John Mozeliak’s offseason shopping list is rather lengthy.  Remember, the Cardinals finished fourth in the National League Central, and although they stayed competitive late into the season, it’s not as if they were only a player or two away from making the playoffs.
Mo has his work cut out for him this winter.  He has to find upgrades at both middle infield positions.  He’d like to add the elusive “protection” for Albert Pujols in the lineup. And the Cards obviously need help in the bullpen, especially of the left handed variety, as well as the ninth inning.  Depending on the status [...]

The Philadelphia Phillies won the World Series less than two weeks ago, and yet it seems like we haven’t watched baseball in months.  This is the time of year that I have to suffer through the other professional sports, getting by on college football, and counting the days until pitchers and catchers report.  I share this sentiment:
“People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball.  I’ll tell you what I do.  I stare out the window and wait for spring.” – Rogers Hornsby
If you’re anything like me, you spend a ton of time each winter day scouring [...]