Before GM Stamey took over the unachievers from St. Louis, the team basically was Albert Pujols. The frustrated fans of the Cards felt it was time for a radical change and so did the Cardinals front office. So, Stamey was brought in and he immediately showed the front office and the fans that he wasn't going to sit on the team he took over. Within hours, future hall-of-famer, Pujols, was sent packing to NL central rival Houston. Power hitting OF Rick Ankiel demanded $12M+ to re-sign and the Cards sent him packing to free agency. This is not your Cards of last season and the new lineup brings a lot of excitement to Busch Stadium in the 2010 season.
The latest trades brought in SP Scott Kazmir and 1B Lance Berkman from the Tampa Bay Rays, SP John Lackey from the Los Angeles Angels and SP Andrew Miller from the Florida Marlins. Departed players include 1B Justin Morneau, 3B Troy Glaus and SP Kyle Lohse.
So, with all of these changes, what does the pitching staff and batting order look like for the re-vamped Cardinals? There is no doubt that the starting pitching rotation has been improved dramatically. The projected starting rotation is:
* S. Kazmir
* M. Cain
* J. Lackey
* A. Wainwright
* C. Carpenter
When Chris Carpenter is your #5 starter, you know you have a powerful and talented rotation! The bullpen is stronger as well with Todd Wellmeyer, a starter last season in the pen along with acquired pitchers, Andrew Miller, Andy Sonnanstine and Rick VanderHurk. Fernando Salas and Jason Motte and the only returnees in the bullpen.
Not only will the team be stronger offensively, the team will be stronger defensively as well. That happens when you bring in a young stud like SS Troy Tulowitzki! Troy will be a huge boost defensively as well as with his power bat. Lance Berkman is no Albert Pujols, but he has big time power and always hits for a great average.
The projected batting lineup for the 2010 Cardinals is:
1) SS Troy Tulowitzki (.297 BA, 18 HRs)
2) 3B David Freese
3) 1B Lance Berkman (.299 BA, 24 HRs)
4) CF Colby Rasmus (.271 BA, 20 HRs)
5) LF Ryan Ludwick (.261 BA, 29 HRs)
6) RF Gabe Gross (.270 BA, 21 HRs)
7) 2B Sean Rodriguez
8) C Yadier Molina
The only real question mark is whether 3B Freese is ready for the big leagues. The Cardinals will be watching the free agent market for available corner men in case Freese isn't ready for the task.
The 2009 Cardinals won only 74 games. In a division containing the World Champion Brewers and NL wildcard, Houston Astros, St. Louis will need the pitching staff to perform to expectations to be able to compete and over take both teams. Not an easy task but GM Stamey believes that the talent level on the 2010 version of the Cardinals is ready to take on the challenge.
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