Musings from an Optimistic Redbird Fan – 2013

Good News…Freese Signs – The St. Louis Cardinals and David Freese avoided arbitration.  Figures weren’t available but the Cards and Freese reached an agreement Friday afternoon. Freese was asking for $3.75 million and the Cardinals countered with $2.4 million. This is the fourteenth year the Cards have settled their arbitration cases without a hearing.

Bad News…Carp out – Chris Carpenter will not pitch this year due to ongoing arm issues. He will have a press conference Monday. Chris Carpenter has been one of the Cardinals best pitchers when healthy and in my opinion, one of the most dominant pitchers since Bob Gibson. Although the Cards are deep at the pitching position, I am nervous relying on their young pitching staff for an entire season. As it currently stands, the rotation would most likely be Adam Wainwright, Jake Westbrook, oft injured Jaime Garcia, Lance Lynn and most likely Shelby Miller. I’m not sure what the issues are but, the Cardinals would do well to try and re-sign Kyle Lohse. I have yet to be convinced why that is not a good idea.

Bullpen – Assuming nothing unforeseen happens during the spring; the Cardinals will have a formidable bullpen. As it currently stands, the bullpen will most likely consist of Jason Motte, Mitchell Boggs, Marc Rzepczynski, Trevor Rosenthal, Randy Choate, Joe Kelly and Edward Mujica. I’m really anxious to see Trevor Rosenthal for an entire season. The Cardinals should prove to have one of the best bullpens in the National League.

Cardinals Looking Good – Despite the Carpenter situation, the Cardinals seem to be healthy and ready to wreak havoc in the NL Central. Barring any catastrophic injuries, I expect them to win the NL Central and get to the post season.

Thanks for reading.