Spring training site

Jupiter, Fla.

2008 record

86-76, fourth in NL Central (11.5 games behind Cubs)

New faces

SS Khalil Greene (trade, Padres); LHP Dennys Reyes (free agent, Twins); LHP Trever Miller (free agent, Rays); LHP Royce Ring (free agent, Braves); LHP Charlie Manning (waivers, Nationals)

Biggest offseason acquisition

Khalil Greene hit .213 in San Diego last year... will a change in scenery let him revert to his 2007 form, when he hit 27 homers and drove in 97 for the Padres?


The Cardinals are banking on that, as there really isn't a fallback.

Gone but not forgotten

RHP Jason Isringhausen (free agent, to Rays); LHP Mark Mulder (free agent, not signed); RHP Braden Looper (free agent, to Brewers); RHP Matt Clement (free agent, to Blue Jays); RHP Mark Worrell (trade, to Padres); SS Cesar Izturis (free agent, to Orioles); 2B Felipe Lopez (free agent, to Diamondbacks); 2B Adam Kennedy (free agent, to Rays); IF Aaron Miles (free agent, to Cubs); LHP Ron Villone (free agent, not signed); LHP Randy Flores (free agent, to Padres); LHP Tyler Johnson (free agent, to Mariners); OF Juan Encarnacion (free agent, not signed); OF Josh Phelps (free agent, to Giants); RHP Russ Springer (free agent, to A's); RHP Kelvin Jimenez (free agent, to White Sox); LHP Tyler Johnson (free agent, to Mariners)

Spring training battles

Lots of new faces, lots of open spots. Just check out that list of ex-Cardinals above. Third base, second base and closer are the most open three spots, and it's definitely going to be a youthful trend in St.

Louis. Chris Perez, who saved seven games in 11 chances last season, will be on the spot as the closer, at least initially. And the Cardinals would love Chris Carpenter to come back to form in the rotation after elbow surgery.

Projected lineup

• CF Skip Schumaker
• LF Rick Ankiel
• 1B Albert Pujols
• RF Ryan Ludwick
• C Yadier Molina
• SS Khalil Greene
• 3B Joe Mather
• 2B Brendan Ryan

Projected starting rotation

• RHP Adam Wainwright
• RHP Kyle Lohse
• RHP Chris Carpenter
• RHP Joel Pineiro
• RHP Todd Wellemeyer

Projected bullpen

• RHP Chris Perez (closer)
• RHP Jason Motte
• RHP Ryan Franklin
• LHP Trever Miller
• LHP Dennys Reyes
• RHP Josh Kinney
• RHP Kyle McClellan

Biggest strength

Let's start with arguably the best hitter in baseball in Albert Pujols, and a starting rotation that is pretty underrated, especially if Carpenter is healthy.

Glaring weakness

The bullpen is being revamped, and there will be hits and misses, especially early on. A couple of key veterans were added, especially from the left side. If Perez or Motte can come through as closers, the Cardinals could be pretty good.