2014 Questions: The Cards Outfield

Mar 6, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder

(87) makes a catch against the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

The St. Louis Cardinals have some positive problems that will arise in the spring because of the addition of Peter Bourjos.  The former Halo could be the angel that is needed to control the grass at Busch with non-Gold Glovers Matt Holliday and Allen Craig on the wings.

The debate is surrounding four other outfielders that will join the catcher and his pitchers in only a couple of months in Jupiter.

The most exciting shooting star for the Birdinals is of certainly Oscar Taveras whose expectations are only surpassed by the Michael Wacha.  The argument over starting him in Memphis or St. Louis will explode once he shows his stuff again in March.  The benefits of starting “The Grouch” in AAA and then moving him up to the show when needed (summer/fall) could be immense, especially since he was injured and out of the lineup with a pesky high ankle sprain.

Will the most hyped hitter in the Cards system since Prince Albert show that he has recovered from the August surgery? Are John Mozeliak and Mike Matheny going to be forced to use Taveras immediately because of his superiority?

Former starter Jon Jay, who is a great value, will be in the mix for utility outfielder, as will Shane Robinson. JJ showed how awful he could be both offensively and defensively in the playoffs, while Robinson showed how potent he could be pinch hitting in October.  Both of these guys have demonstrated their ability to play, however it will be nice not to see them everyday.

Sep 22, 2013; Milwaukee, WI, USA; St. Louis Cardinals center fielder

showed how fast he isn’t.

The 40 man roster also boasts newcomer Randal Grichuk, whose notoriety was from being drafted above Mr. Mike Trout.  But Grichuk is only 22 and recently got a Gold Glove in AA last season.  Could he be another phenom that competes and keeps Memphis stocked to reload the Cardinal’s clip at anytime?

The Opening Day roster in Cincinnati on April 2nd could potentially have more than one new face wearing shades in the prairies at Great American Ballpark.  No matter their names, the St. Louis Cardinals have heaps more depth in the outfield than in 2013 when Brock Peterson got a call.