NewsUpgrades to come at premium in 2010
With many members returning, creative acquisitions needed
By Matthew Leach / MLB.com
10/28/09 12:18 PM EST
ST. LOUIS -- As general manager John Mozeliak and his staff begin the task of building the 2010 Cardinals, they have an interesting challenge before them. It shouldn't be too difficult to keep the Cards from falling off too much next year, but it may be very tough to make major upgrades.Only two hitters who saw significant playing time in the Cards' Division Series defeat are likely leaving. The entire bullpen returns intact, as does much of the starting rotation.
However, those two hitters will be tough to replace: Matt Holliday and Mark DeRosa. As will No. 3 starter Joel Pineiro. It will be even more difficult to bring in upgrades.
And the Cardinals probably do need to upgrade. A 91-win season and a postseason appearance represented an improvement from the previous two years, but it doesn't count as good enough in St. Louis.
Holliday is by far the highest-profile free agent, and he'll be tough to bring back. Reports have already begun to surface that he, or perhaps agent Scott Boras, has his eye on New York and Los Angeles. Holliday is at least arguably the most compelling free-agent hitter on the market this winter.
In assessing the road forward, the front office must determine which was the truer representation of the roster's strength: a late-season surge, or a September and October fade.
"It's hard to answer," Mozeliak said at the end of the Division Series. "What team were we? Were we August or were we October? My heart of hearts wants to believe August. But there's still this September-October look. It's a great question."
The Cardinals' coaching staff situation is the earliest offseason task to be resolved. Manager Tony La Russa and pitching coach Dave Duncan will return in 2010 and former St. Louis slugger Mark McGwire was brought aboard to replace hitting coach Hal McRae. Other coaches that will return include bench coach Joe Pettini, infield/third-base coach Jose Oquendo, outfield/first-base coach Dave McKay and bullpen coach Marty Mason. Assistant hitting instructor Mike Aldrete, who did not dress out in uniform in '09, will also be back.
The Cardinals are committed to approximately $55 million in guaranteed payroll for 2010. Beyond that, salaries determined through the arbitration process could add another $8-9 million, and pre-arbitration players could add in the neighborhood of $4 million.
That means that before they hit free agency, the Cardinals likely will be spending close to $70 million, leaving roughly $30 million that could be added.
With that money, they'll have to achieve a couple of main goals: filling out the back of the rotation and adding a left fielder.
Third base might be a priority, though the Cardinals could well stay in-house with David Freese. They might also look to add a setup reliever, but right-handed relief is not at the top of the priority list. And someone needs to be the backup catcher, though Jason LaRue might well return.
Still, there's quite a lot already set, and a decent amount of wiggle room to augment what is in place. It will be a busy winter for the Cardinals, but it should also be an interesting one.
Contract issues
Free agents: Rick Ankiel, OF; Mark DeRosa, 3B; Matt Holliday, OF; Jason LaRue, C; Joel Pineiro, P; John Smoltz, P; Todd Wellemeyer, P; Troy Glaus, 3B; Khalil Greene, SS/3B
Eligible for arbitration: Ryan Ludwick, OF; Skip Schumaker, 2B; Brad Thompson, P
Player options: None
Club options: None
Non-tender possibilities: Thompson
Catchers
• Yadier Molina, .293 BA, 6 HRs, 54 RBIs
• Matt Pagnozzi, .221 BA, 5 HRs, 32 RBIs at Triple-A Memphis
Molina returns as the main man. The question is who backs him up. The Cardinals have been pleased with the work of LaRue and might well bring him back. Pagnozzi has impressed with his defense, but has yet to show the offense to stick as even a backup catcher in the Majors.
First base
• Albert Pujols, .327 BA, 47 HRs, 135 RBIs
The game's best player is likely to pick up his third MVP Award later this fall. He's also likely to receive overtures from the club about re-upping for a new long-term deal, a negotiation that could lead to some staggering numbers.
Second base
• Skip Schumaker, .303 BA, 4 HRs, 35 RBIs
• Julio Lugo, .280 BA, 3 HRs, 21 RBIs (combined AL/NL)
• Joe Thurston, .225 BA, 1 HR, 25 RBIs
The Cards' second-base platoon provided excellent offense, with Schumaker against right-handers and Lugo against lefties. Schumaker showed progress as a defender in his first year at the position and should be better again in '10.
Shortstop
• Brendan Ryan, .292 BA, 3 HRs, 37 RBIs
• Tyler Greene, .291 BA, 15 HRs, 42 RBIs at Memphis
La Russa is reluctant to name Ryan the out-and-out starter without competition for fear of how the youngster might react. But there's no doubt, Ryan is the Cardinals' shortstop. With the departure of Khalil Greene, Tyler Greene may have an opening to make the roster as a backup. However, Lugo will likely be the primary backup at short.
Third base
• David Freese, .300 BA, 10 HRs, 37 RBIs at Memphis
Mozeliak recently told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that the team's first choice is to give Freese a chance to win this job. That might mean that DeRosa will not return, though DeRosa's versatility means he's not necessarily limited to third.
Outfield
• Ryan Ludwick, .265 BA, 22 HRs, 97 RBIs
• Colby Rasmus, .251 BA, 16 HRs, 52 RBIs
• Allen Craig, .322 BA, 26 HRs, 83 RBIs at Memphis
The outfield has gone from the deepest area on the Major League roster to one of the thinnest. With Holliday and Ankiel both free agents, and Chris Duncan traded during the season, the Cardinals are looking for a left fielder. Craig has done nothing but hit and might get a look in the spring, but he didn't get a September callup, which can't bode well for his standing in the organization.
Rotation
• Chris Carpenter, 17-4, 2.24 ERA
• Adam Wainwright, 19-8, 2.63 ERA
• Kyle Lohse, 6-10, 4.74 ERA
• Jaime Garcia, 2-2, 2.87 ERA at three Minor League levels
• Mitchell Boggs, 2-3, 4.19 ERA
The top three are set. After that, the Cardinals have some decisions to make. They will likely give serious thought to bringing Smoltz back if he's interested, and there's a very good chance that one rotation spot will go to an in-house candidate. Garcia, who rebounded very well in 2009 from Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery, might be the favorite.
Bullpen
• Ryan Franklin, 4-3, 1.92 ERA, 38 SV
• Kyle McClellan, 4-4, 3.38 ERA, 3 SV
• Jason Motte, 4-4, 4.76 ERA
• Blake Hawksworth, 4-0, 2.02 ERA
• Josh Kinney, 1-0, 8.80 ERA
• Trever Miller, 4-1, 2.06 ERA
• Dennys Reyes, 0-2, 3.29 ERA
Every key part of the relief corps is back, from closer Franklin to the two left-handers to the middle-to-late inning righties. There could be competition during Spring Training for the last couple of spots, but stability looks like the name of the game for the Cardinals' bullpen in 2010.
Matthew Leach is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
