St. Louis Cardinals: Predicting the 26-man roster at the start of spring

In three days, we will get to see St. Louis Cardinals baseball for the first time this year! What is an early prediction for the 26-man roster?

“People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball. I’ll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.”

That quote from the great Rogers Hornsby is exactly how I felt during the winter snowstorm this month. Each day brought us closer to the St. Louis Cardinals’ first Spring Training game as well as seeing Nolan Arenado debut with the Birds on the Bat. With Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright re-signed, the Cardinals are projected by most to finish first in the National League Central.

Yet for a team with heightened projections, there are still questions that need to be answered. How will Miles Mikolas and Jordan Hicks fare from their season-ending injuries? Will Carlos Martinez be placed as a starter? What should the team do with Junior Fernandez or Johan Oviedo?

And, of course, can we finally, finally, figure out the outfield for a season?

Now all of this could be thrown aside if the Cardinals were to sign Jake Odorizzi. However, with John Mozeliak confident in the team they have right now, it is fair to say this is the team we will see in early April.

With that, here is my start of spring predictions for the 26-man roster.