Seeing Red

Fresh off winning last year's World Series, the St. Louis Cardinals are back to try to repeat. They should have their closer, Jason Isringhausen, back by the start of the season. They also have the best hitter in the league playing everyday at firstbase. They also have maybe the best right handed pitcher in the league. So, what's stopping them from doing it again?

Let's Be Honest:

This team did nothing to make themselves better. In fact, they actually made themselves worse. Besides losing Jason Marquis and Jeff Suppan, they also had to move Adam Wainwright to the rotation because Isringhausen will be back. Sounds crazy, doesn't it, that Izzy may hurt this team. But, in reality, with the success that Wainright had last year during their run in the 9th inning job it's not that nuts. They did sign Adam Kennedy, filling the ultimate need for an aging, past-his-prime second basemen.

Reunited:

Speaking of Kennedy, he and shortstop David Eckstein are put together as double play partners once again. The two shared a middle infield for the Angels a few years back. There's no funny, cute joke attached to this one, just legitimate feelings of congratulation for the two pals.

Two's a Crowd?:

Here's the main issue with this team, sure they offer the two best players at their positions (Pujols 0ffense, Carpenter Pitching), but after them, that's about it. There isn't a scary hitter on this team outside of Pujols. Edmonds is filing for social security by the All-Star Break, and hasn't hit over .265 since 2004. Rolen, in all fairness, has put together a few good seasons, but isn't the feared player he was supposed to become. Outside of them, who scares you? Chris "Don't Call Me Hines" Duncan? Or maybe Juan "One Under God" Encarnacion?

The pitching staff features a overhyped right hander, a man who had a blod clot in his right arm only a season ago, and a former closer who couldn't close. Recipe for success, if you ask me.

Saga To Follow:

That former closer is Braden Looper. Mr. Looper, of Mets and Marlins fame, could potentially work his way into the starting rotation for this team. The idea he's even being considered for a Major League roster spot is laughable on its own merits. Compound that with the fact that he may be a starter for a team coming of a WS victory, and you have a full blown comedy. Has Tony LaRussa ever heard of Byung-Hyun Kim, or Danny Graves?

First Cardinals Pitcher To Get Marquis'd:

One would go naturally with Looper, but that'd be like throwing at the fat kid during recess or choosing the ADD kid for the spelling bee. Also, I doubt he'll be around long enough to achieve that sort of infamy. I could also say Ryan Franklin, but I'll go with Kip Wells because he'll be there the whole season barring another blod clot.

Where Have You Gone:

Mark Mulder, former ace of the Oakland A's, is nowhere to be found. He's been gone long enough to declare legally dead. Basically, his arm stopped working last season. Sure, it was only one season, and he did have a 97-50 record coming into that season. Yet, after surgery and with no guaranteed starting spot, this guy seems to have completely lost control on his career.

Bold Statement (s):

This team will finish in 2nd place, battling for it with the Brewers.

I've read this somewhere else, but I'll say it again here, Albert Pujols will win the Triple Crown. Barring a freak Freddy Sanchez-type season, its very possible.

Adam Wainwright won't dissappoint, he'll win 14-18.

Tony LaRussa, in another one of his stunts, will shock the baseball world, and wind up winning a few games by batting a pitcher in the 4 hole. When asked why after a game, he'll simply respond with, "it worked when Jason Marquis hit 8th, and Anthony Reyes is at least twice the pitcher he is"