As Adams Rehabs in Memphis, Cardinals’ Consider Options

May 20, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Matt Adams (32) rounds third base after hitting a 2 run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

First baseman Matt Adams is currently on an injury rehabilitation assignment with the Memphis Redbirds, the AAA affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. Adams was placed on the 15-day disabled list on May 31 with a left calf strain that has healed faster than anticipated.

Prior to landing on the DL, Adams was leading the team with a .325 batting average to go along with 3 home runs and 17 RBIs. Although the power numbers were disappointing considering Adams hit 17 bombs in limited action last season, there was reason to believe that trend would change as the weather warmed up.

With Adams nearing a return to St. Louis in the next few days, the Cardinals’ find themselves in a tough spot when it comes to roster decisions that must be made. They will be hard-pressed to leave Adams, who is fourth in the National League in batting average (.325), out of the lineup moving forward.

Top Prospect Oscar Taveras has filled in during Adams’ absence and while he is not tearing the cover off the ball (only a .212 average), he has shown incredible potential at both the plate and in the field – Cardinal fans will not be happy to see his action be limited to a part-time role.

Between Matt Holliday, Jon Jay, Peter Bourjos, Allen Craig, Oscar Taveras, and Matt Adams, the Cardinals’ have six players who believe they should be playing every day to fill four positions. It will be interesting to see how the organization approaches this dilemma in the coming days/weeks.

Cardinal fans should anticipate at least one significant trade and possibly two or more. The only player who should be considered “untouchable” (of the six just mentioned) is Oscar Taveras – I would not be shocked to see any of the other five in new cities by the end of trade deadline on July 31.