ST. LOUIS -- 'Rebuilding' is an ugly word in a city with 10 World Series championships. 'Transition year' sounds like little more than a mealy-mouth euphemism for rebuilding.

So with Spring Training approaching, what then is the correct term for the current direction of the Cardinals?

According to the higher-ups, it's the same as always -- contending. It's just that they're going about it in a bit of a different way. But there's little doubt, the Cardinals team that reports to Spring Training in Jupiter, Fla., later this month will have a drastically different look than the past few have.

"Rebuilding what?" manager Tony La Russa asked incredulously at the team's annual Winter Warm-Up.

"I think we're putting together a team to contend. I think we're going to be very competitive. Because I think we're going to have guys on the position-player side [who will provide] a lot of energy and a lot of attention to execution."

Gone are Jim Edmonds, Scott Rolen and David Eckstein, who combined for nine All-Star selections, 10 Gold Gloves and 118 postseason-game appearances while wearing a St. Louis uniform. Unavailable, at least at first, are Chris Carpenter and Mark Mulder, each of whom has been the starting pitcher in an All-Star Game.

The putative ace and surest thing in the starting rotation, Adam Wainwright, has pitched 279 big league innings. The most-talked-about player coming into camp may well be someone who's never even taken a swing in Triple-A, never mind the Majors -- top prospect Colby Rasmus.

It will definitely be interesting at Roger Dean Stadium this spring.

La Russa is excited about his club, despite the turnover. In fact, it may be more accurate to say that he's excited because of the turnover. He plans to handle his squad a little differently this year, and he expects tremendous enthusiasm from his younger roster -- many of them will play, as he's fond of saying, "like it's the seventh game of the World Series."

Edmonds was dealt because he asked to be, after he realized he'd be facing diminished playing time. Rasmus is his heir-apparent, though the youngster might not start the year on the big club. Rolen was dealt because he asked to be, after he clashed repeatedly with La Russa. Eckstein was simply allowed to walk via free agency.

When they were healthy and effective, they were key players in a lineup that won a lot of games. Even when they weren't at their best on the field, they helped define the culture in the clubhouse. Now that responsibility falls on younger shoulders -- players like Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina.

A few holdovers remain, including Carpenter and closer Jason Isringhausen.

"Those are three big guys that were big guys in the clubhouse," Carpenter said. "Three veteran guys that have been around for a long time. ... [But] change is sometimes good, and change brings new life to the clubhouse.

"We've still got myself and Izzy, Yadi, who has to step up as somewhat of a leader. You've got Albert, who comes to play every single game. You've got to pass the baton and have some guys start picking up that leadership role inside the clubhouse."

They also have to have some guys perform on the field, which, in the end, will of course be more important than who steps up in the clubhouse.

"People are looking at other clubs and liking them better than ours," La Russa said. "But I look at our club and I see some real possibility. I don't see the big separation, where we can give up two or three edges and still be competitive. We've got a finer line there. But we've got a real shot if we go about it right."