Random Thoughts Looking Forward in 2012

This is typically a very slow time in baseball.  The NFL Playoffs are in full swing.  We are days away from pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training (Thank goodness!).  It’s a time of reflection upon the previous season’s successes and failures.  More importantly it’s a time to look forward to all the excitement this season will bring.  As St. Louis Cardinals fans we have a lot to look forward to.  There are a lot of questions about this season.  The Cardinals charity arm Cardinals Care has a wonderful event every year around this time to address all of these items.  I have always thought of it as a ceremonial first pitch of the season.  It is the opportunity for the club to show off its prizes from the previous season and gives the fans the opportunity to interact with the management and players.  There are always stories that come out of this weekend.  Since it has been a rather slow week, I thought I would take the opportunity to just share some of my thoughts and questions for the upcoming season.

For those wondering if Cardinal Nation will embrace Carlos Beltran I would refer you to his first major appearance taking place at the Winter Warm-Up today.  His autograph tickets (at $75 a pop) sold out immediately once announced.  Pretty impressive considering he is being brought in to replace a HUGE fan favorite.  I think it is a fitting welcome from the fans.  Cardinal Nation is a very knowledgeable group.  We know the game and readily embrace our newest heroes.  That being said, Beltran will need to produce or it might not be as pleasant.

Adam Wainwright is back.  I love what I have seen out of Waino’s recent media blitz.  He is chomping at the bit to get back on the mound.  I hope that arm is healed and he is ready.  While I love Chris Carpenter, I actually enjoy watching Wainwright pitch more.  I hope that like many others who have had Tommy John surgery that his velocity may have even improved.  The fact that he missed out on the improbably run last year leads me to believe that he is hungry to prove his worth.

General manager, John Mozeliak received a warm welcome by all reports from the Winter Warm Up this weekend.  While the fan base seems to be over losing that former first baseman, I wondered how smooth the first major public appearance would go.  Once again he handled everything perfectly.  He didn’t point fingers.  He didn’t call Pujols out as a money-grabbing fiend.  He maintained the party line and stuck to his guns.  Us Missourians tend to like that sort of thing.

Where’s Yadi?  Yadier Molina once again was absent from the Winter Warm Up.  While the statement was “family issues”, I tend to think this just isn’t Yadi’s thing.  While a part of me does worry that he may be distancing himself for contract reasons I sincerely hope that is not the case.  I hope that we have learned a valuable lesson about negotiations and we put them into practice with Yadi.  Let’s not wait on this.  Let’s get a deal done now!  He as expressed that he wants to be here according to Mozeliak.  I hope we make it happen sooner rather than later.

Tyler Greene at second base?  Here we go again with the carousel at that position.  It will either be Greene, Daniel Descalso, or Skip Schumaker playing in rotation if no one steals it away.  This is one area that has me a little concerned for the upcoming season.  Greene is a freakishly talented player.  He hasn’t performed at all at the Big League level.  He’s out of options.  If the Cardinals really want to see what he can do this may be the best option.  If Furcal comes up lame he’s there to fill in.  This could make fore some interesting watching this season.

Is 12 in 2012 a possibility?  That is the million-dollar question at this point (or more adjusted for inflation).  This team could be equipped for a title defense.  There are question marks in several places.  For me it all boils down to health.  While I know that isn’t an earth shattering statement.  That is typically what creates issues for any team.  We have a few serious questions that only time will deliver the answers.  Is Waino back?  Does Carp have enough in the tank?  Can Beltran and Rafael Furcal stay healthy?  Will Lance Berkman’s knees hold up at first base?  Can Mike Matheny handle the adversity of all of the coaching and player changes as a first year manager?  Only time will tell.  I personally can’t wait for the show to start to see how this plays out.  I feel we have a strong chance to repeat as World Champions.  With a little luck and maybe some Mozeliak mid-season magic we could be celebrating all over again.  Pitchers and Catchers report on February 18^th.

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