TOP SPRING TRAINING QUESTIONS:
Can Carpenter stay healthy?
The Cardinals playoff hopes in 2009 will center on whether Chris Carpenter is healthy enough to anchor a thin Cardinals rotation. The Cardinals are 68-29 when Carpenter starts in his Cardinals career. With just four starts in the past two seasons, Carpenter is expected to be in the starting rotation on opening day but nothing is a certainty given his recent struggles to stay healthy. The Cardinal's starting rotation is mostly in order but without depth, if Carpenter cannot stay healthy, the rotation will likely crumble like a deck of cards.
| Spring Training Dates |
| Feb. 14 |
Pitchers and catchers report. |
| Feb. 17 |
Voluntary reporting date for other players. |
| Feb 22 |
Mandatory reporting date. |
| March 2-11 |
Teams may renew contracts of unsigned players. |
| March 5-23 |
World Baseball Classic |
| April 6 |
Home Opener |
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Who’s on second?
The Cardinals decided to release Adam Kennedy earlier this week. With a surplus of outfielders, one possible solution the Cardinals may explore is to converting Skip Schumaker into a second baseman. Other possibilities at second are Brendan Ryan, Brian Barden, Tyler Greene, Jarrett Hoffpauir, Joe Mather and Joe Thurston who had success this winter.
Who will close?
The downfall of the Cardinals last season was their inability to close out games converting just 52.6% of their save opportunities. With Jason Isringhausen out, the top contenders for the closing role will likely be the two flame-throwing youngsters Chris Perez and Jason Motte with Perez being the favorite going into Spring Training. Ryan Franklin and Josh Kinney, who has missed nearly two seasons, could vie for a shot as closer. Another realistic possibility will be a closer by committee approach which we saw last season.
Who will man the hot corner until May?
With Glaus out until May, the experienced Brendan Ryan’s is the likely front runner for third base. Brian Barden, top 2008 draft pick Brett Wallace and top-prospect David Freese, who was acquired in the Jim Edmond’s trade, will likely get a shot at the position as well. |