Spring Training 2014: Some Notes from Jupiter

The first official half-week of St. Louis Cardinals Spring Training camp in Jupiter has come to an end.
Feb 15, 2014; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina (4) during spring training at Roger Dean Stadium. Image Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Rick Hummel writes that reliever Seth Maness fits just fine into the Cardinals plan for their bullpen this season. Maness is more of a ground ball pitcher than a power arm, even though he pitches into the low 90s

“Given how Seth pitched last year, there’s a very high probability that he’ll be on the squad,” general manager John Mozeliak told Hummel before adding that Maness “still needs to have a good camp.”

Position players have until Monday to report but it appears that a large majority have already done so except for the newly acquired Mark Ellis.

Payroll down the line probably is not something to be thinking about right now but after the Atlanta Braves gave a contract extension to pitcher Julio Teheran, Bernie wonders what this might mean for Shelby Miller and Michael Wacha. It’s nothing to worry about right now but from a free agency perspective, it’s important for the club that not everyone is a free agent at once. A year or two down the line, the club should certainly start thinking about an extension.

Speaking of extensions, Allen Craig, who signed one during the 2013 season, feels good as he makes the move back to the outfield.

In shortstop news, according to the same article:

"The Cardinals had a front office member scout Cuban shortstop/infield Aledmys Diaz at his workout Thursday. Diaz is eligible to sign as a free agent with a team next week. He faced live pitching in the workout."

Diaz is looking at a payday in the range of $20-30 million.

Derrick Goold presents a look at the 13 players, as of now, that have played 1,000 games or more with their current team. Yadier Molina is ranked in fifth place with 1,218 games under his belt.