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St. Louis Cardinals: Taking a Look at Former Cardinals in 2016

By Steven McNeil

Oct 3, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Albert Pujols (5) celebrates his run with third baseman David Freese (6) against the Texas Rangers during the ninth inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Angels won 11-10. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Albert Pujols (5) celebrates his run with third baseman David Freese (6) against the Texas Rangers during the ninth inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Angels won 11-10. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 6, 2016; Salt River Pima-Maricopa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs right fielder Jason Heywar (22) flies out in the third inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 6, 2016; Salt River Pima-Maricopa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs right fielder Jason Heywar (22) flies out in the third inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

Jason Heyward

We all know where Heyward will be playing this season. We all know how he spurned the Cardinals because they weren’t “young enough”. It is so frustrating that he decided to go to the Cubs, not just because he is a good player, but because he will seemingly be better with the Cubs than he was with the Cardinals. You ask “why?” He will be playing 81 games in a hitter friendly and fielding friendly Wrigley Field, so not only will his power numbers get better, he should even have a better defensive season.

However, for the Cubs he won’t even be their centerpiece, they are filled with talented young hitters like Anthony Rizzo, Kyle Schwarber, Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, and more. So, Heyward will be a good player for the Cubs, but he won’t be THE player for the Cubs. However, things could change quickly if Bryant and Schwarber have sophomore slumps and an injury occurs elsewhere. This would be too good to see.

I honestly don’t hope for the best with Heyward, while I don’t want him to be injured, I wouldn’t mind him struggling live up to his contract by any means.

John Lackey

The media is fawning all over Chicago and their “super roster”, especially that they “stole” John Lackey from the Cardinals. This is hilarious to me, because Lackey is going to be much worse in 2016 than he was in 2015. He won’t be a value signing for the Cubs in any way, shape, or form. I actually believe that Lackey will be a contract the Cubs will regret by the end of next season.

Lackey had a career year at age 37 last season with the Cardinals, there are many factors to go along with this. The main reasoning is that he was pitching in one of the most pitcher friendly parks in the league in Busch Stadium. Then you figure in that he was pitching to the best defensive catcher in the game more times than not, and on one of the best staffs in the league. Considering that Lackey then left runners on base at a shockingly high rate as well gives more evidence that Lackey will regress in 2016.

So, for those of the media claiming Lackey is still a great starting pitcher, prepare to eat your words in 2016.

Next: Another World Series Hero

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