St. Louis Cardinals set sights on holding Cubs in 2016

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Oct 9, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Tommy Pham (60) is congratulated by manager Mike Matheny (22) after the game against the Chicago Cubs in game one of the NLDS at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Tommy Pham (60) is congratulated by manager Mike Matheny (22) after the game against the Chicago Cubs in game one of the NLDS at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports /

St. Louis Cardinals to rely on core players as club seeks fourth straight division title.

After a record breaking season for the St. Louis Cardinals that ended abruptly in Chicago and amid an offseason that has not yet produced the impact moves that the Cardinals have anticipated, perhaps the start of a new year is welcome in St. Louis.

It has not been a mystery to St. Louis Cardinals’ fans, that this winter has been a harsh one; and I do not mean the weather. The reality is the top targets on the team’s offseason wish list ended up in another jersey that does not say ‘Cardinals’ on it.

The influx of money the Cardinals had to spend remains in their pockets, and the outlook for the 2016 season instead sits on the shoulders of the same core that has carried the team now to three consecutive division titles.

World Series championships, of course, are not won in December, but do not let that stifle conversation about the season ahead.  So, as the countdown to Spring Training begins, here are five questions to consider as the St. Louis Cardinals set their sights on a deeper postseason run in 2016.

Next: Is there enough rotation depth?