2005 Record: 100-62, NL Central Champs
Teams that seemed to have destiny on their sides have kept the Cardinals from reaching their final goal the past two seasons. Embarrassed by a sweep at the hands of Boston in the 2004 World Series and ousted by Houston in the NLCS last year, St. Louis could very well be ready to take that next step in 2006.
St. Louis returns four of its five starters from a year ago led by NL Cy Young winner Chris Carpenter. Both Mark Mulder and Jason Marquis are the right age to improve, especially Marquis who can also help himself with the bat. Jeff Suppan has really bought into pitching coach Dave Duncan’s approach and there’s no reason to suspect he’ll suffer a drop-off in ’06.
The newcomer, and a real crapshoot in so many ways, is Sydney Ponson. After growing fat and lazy from a bloated contract with the Orioles, Ponson really has a lot to prove this year or he’ll be spending the rest of his days drinking Piña Coladas and getting into scrapes with the law --- And the judges who administer that law --- at home in the Caribbean. The good news is if Ponson doesn’t come around, St. Louis has a very capable replacement in Anthony Reyes. With past elbow woes it’s doubtful that the Redbirds want to entertain the idea of using Reyes in relief. So it’s possible that Duncan and La Russa stick Reyes at the end of an incredibly deep rotation and settle on Ponson as a middle reliever, a la what they did with Cal Eldred.
Speaking of the bullpen, Jason Isringhausen, himself no stranger to the trainer’s table, is back in the closer’s slot where he’ll see a relatively new group preceding his 9th-inning chores. Braden Looper came over from the Mets and assumes the setup role previously manned by Julian ‘Crazy Horse’ Tavarez who departed for Beantown. Brad Thompson, whose excellent ’05 work went unnoticed by many, also sets up. Ricardo Rincon has the most experience of any lefty reliever coming to camp with St. Louis, but I really like both Randy Flores and Tyler Johnson. At least one of them will make the squad and could send Rincon to the waiver wire at some point. Veteran Jeff Nelson is another newcomer to the staff and, if he shows anything this spring, he should get a job.
Hey, hey, hey! The offense is led by Phat Albert! One of the most incredible talents I’ve seen in 40-odd years watching this silly game, Albert Pujols broke my heart while I was sitting in the Crawford Boxes at Arthur Andersen Memorial Stadium in Houston for Game 5 of last year’s NLCS. I can’t help but think he will continue to break records with each passing season. With Scott Rolen back across the diamond this season and Jim Edmonds in center, it’s a formidable trio. Rolen’s back is a concern and Edmonds isn’t getting any younger, so they’re crucial to the success of Pujols and the Cards.
Little David Eckstein is amazing and difficult not to root for. He’s like Tanner from the Bad News Bears, but without the attitude. Yadier Molina, one of the Amazing Molina Backstop Brothers, seems poised to improve offensively and just might be the best defensive catcher in the Senior Circuit already at only 23 years of age.
In their first years wearing Missouri Red are outfielders Juan Encarnacion and Larry Bigbie, along with second baseman Junior Spivey. Encarnacion effectively replaces retired Canuck Larry Walker in right, both defensively and offensively. He’s never realized the potential I saw for him years ago, but I do look for a solid season. Bigbie and Spivey? I’m not sold on either. But considering names like So Taguchi, John Rodriguez and Aaron Miles are their competition for the LF-2B jobs, Bigbie and Spivey are the favorites entering spring. One player to watch is Deivi Cruz who could take the 2B job, especially once Spivey makes his annual trip to the DL.
With more wins (205) than any MLB team the past two years, St. Louis has to be the heavy favorite in the NL Central once again in 2006. They may not win it going away as the previous two seasons, but they will win it.
Key Performer(s): Pujols is the man, but Rolen and Edmonds hold the keys to a 3rd-straight October appearance.
Camp Question(s): Can Duncan do anything with Ponson and how will a reshaped bullpen pan out?
My Play: My chart puts St. Louis at 94 wins. That inches up depending on spring news regarding Rolen’s back and Ponson’s mindset. I'll play the over 93.5 (-108).
Teams that seemed to have destiny on their sides have kept the Cardinals from reaching their final goal the past two seasons. Embarrassed by a sweep at the hands of Boston in the 2004 World Series and ousted by Houston in the NLCS last year, St. Louis could very well be ready to take that next step in 2006.
St. Louis returns four of its five starters from a year ago led by NL Cy Young winner Chris Carpenter. Both Mark Mulder and Jason Marquis are the right age to improve, especially Marquis who can also help himself with the bat. Jeff Suppan has really bought into pitching coach Dave Duncan’s approach and there’s no reason to suspect he’ll suffer a drop-off in ’06.
The newcomer, and a real crapshoot in so many ways, is Sydney Ponson. After growing fat and lazy from a bloated contract with the Orioles, Ponson really has a lot to prove this year or he’ll be spending the rest of his days drinking Piña Coladas and getting into scrapes with the law --- And the judges who administer that law --- at home in the Caribbean. The good news is if Ponson doesn’t come around, St. Louis has a very capable replacement in Anthony Reyes. With past elbow woes it’s doubtful that the Redbirds want to entertain the idea of using Reyes in relief. So it’s possible that Duncan and La Russa stick Reyes at the end of an incredibly deep rotation and settle on Ponson as a middle reliever, a la what they did with Cal Eldred.
Speaking of the bullpen, Jason Isringhausen, himself no stranger to the trainer’s table, is back in the closer’s slot where he’ll see a relatively new group preceding his 9th-inning chores. Braden Looper came over from the Mets and assumes the setup role previously manned by Julian ‘Crazy Horse’ Tavarez who departed for Beantown. Brad Thompson, whose excellent ’05 work went unnoticed by many, also sets up. Ricardo Rincon has the most experience of any lefty reliever coming to camp with St. Louis, but I really like both Randy Flores and Tyler Johnson. At least one of them will make the squad and could send Rincon to the waiver wire at some point. Veteran Jeff Nelson is another newcomer to the staff and, if he shows anything this spring, he should get a job.
Hey, hey, hey! The offense is led by Phat Albert! One of the most incredible talents I’ve seen in 40-odd years watching this silly game, Albert Pujols broke my heart while I was sitting in the Crawford Boxes at Arthur Andersen Memorial Stadium in Houston for Game 5 of last year’s NLCS. I can’t help but think he will continue to break records with each passing season. With Scott Rolen back across the diamond this season and Jim Edmonds in center, it’s a formidable trio. Rolen’s back is a concern and Edmonds isn’t getting any younger, so they’re crucial to the success of Pujols and the Cards.
Little David Eckstein is amazing and difficult not to root for. He’s like Tanner from the Bad News Bears, but without the attitude. Yadier Molina, one of the Amazing Molina Backstop Brothers, seems poised to improve offensively and just might be the best defensive catcher in the Senior Circuit already at only 23 years of age.
In their first years wearing Missouri Red are outfielders Juan Encarnacion and Larry Bigbie, along with second baseman Junior Spivey. Encarnacion effectively replaces retired Canuck Larry Walker in right, both defensively and offensively. He’s never realized the potential I saw for him years ago, but I do look for a solid season. Bigbie and Spivey? I’m not sold on either. But considering names like So Taguchi, John Rodriguez and Aaron Miles are their competition for the LF-2B jobs, Bigbie and Spivey are the favorites entering spring. One player to watch is Deivi Cruz who could take the 2B job, especially once Spivey makes his annual trip to the DL.
With more wins (205) than any MLB team the past two years, St. Louis has to be the heavy favorite in the NL Central once again in 2006. They may not win it going away as the previous two seasons, but they will win it.
Key Performer(s): Pujols is the man, but Rolen and Edmonds hold the keys to a 3rd-straight October appearance.
Camp Question(s): Can Duncan do anything with Ponson and how will a reshaped bullpen pan out?
My Play: My chart puts St. Louis at 94 wins. That inches up depending on spring news regarding Rolen’s back and Ponson’s mindset. I'll play the over 93.5 (-108).
