St. Louis Cardinals: Five things we’ve learned so far this spring

Feb 18, 2016; Jupiter, FL, USA; A general view of an MLB glove on the practice field at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2016; Jupiter, FL, USA; A general view of an MLB glove on the practice field at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 14, 2016; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Matt Holliday (7) makes a play against the Minnesota Twins during the game at Roger Dean Stadium. The Twins defeated the Cardinals 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2016; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Matt Holliday (7) makes a play against the Minnesota Twins during the game at Roger Dean Stadium. The Twins defeated the Cardinals 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Matt Holliday at First Base is a Real Thing

Props to everybody out there that called this happening.

I was in the camp that thought the Cardinals should entertain the idea, but didn’t think that it was all that serious of a possibility.

All five of Holliday’s spring starts have been over at first base, and he seems to be decently comfortable at the spot. With Francisco Liriano slated as the Pirates’ opening day starter, there is a strong possibility that we will see Holliday at first to start the season.

How much we see him over there the rest of the season is tough to predict. Both Matt Adams and Brandon Moss have turned in solid springs thus far. A lot is going to depend on what those two do, and if they show any chance of being productive against left-handed pitching.

In games that Moss and Holliday are both in the lineup, I’d much rather have Holliday at first with Moss out in left. Anything to give Holliday the best chance at staying on the field for the full 162 this year.

Adams is stuck to first base only duties, which means that his offensive production is going to have to be that much better if he wants to see 400 at-bats this year.

We should get a pretty good forecast on the Holliday/first base situation in how much we see him over there in the first few weeks of the regular season.

Next: Mike Leake has a chance to shine as a Cardinal