An embarrassment of riches?

First off, I hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas, and also came through New Years unscathed.

After looking over the 40-man roster of the St. Louis Cardinals, the triple-A roster, and watching all the "Breakfast with Bernie's" I can, I've come to the conclusion, this team is loaded at two positions. pitcher and outfield.

At pitcher, the Cardinals have 3 spots locked up. Wainwright, Wacha, and Miller. If Garcia proves to be healthy and ready, then that number is 4.

That means the race for the 5th starter will have many suitors. Leading the pack might be Carlos Martinez. If he is ready, I'm convinced that's the guy the Cardinals would like to fill that spot.  If he's not quite ready, then my guess it would be either Joe Kelly or Lance Lynn. Lefty Tyler Lyons may be a darkhorse candidate as well.

In the bullpen, we know Trevor Rosenthal will be the closer. If Jason Motte is recovered from his elbow surgery, he'd most like take the 7th or 8th inning role with either Kelly or Lynn taking the other inning. Whoever loses out between Kelly or Lynn probably stays as long-relief.

That leaves Randy Choate and Kevin Siegrist as the left-handers and righty Seth Maness if you need a ground ball out, or double-play.

If Martinez starts the season at AAA, and either Kelly or Lynn becomes the 5th starter, there would be an opening in the bullpen. I would think that Keith Butler or Sam Freeman could fill that spot.


In the outfield, It's less confusing, but still crowded. Matt Holiday will be in LF come opening day. And most likely, Allen Craig in RF. In CF, I think the Cards will give newcomer Peter Bourjos every opportunity to win the job.

But what about Oscar Taveras? If he comes to camp and makes a good impression, I would think he'd be the 4th outfielder and spell both Holliday and Craig. Jon Jay would be the back-up in CF and a LH pinch-hitter. Shane Robinson would most likely be kept too.

If Taveras is sent to AAA, I'm not sure what the team does then. There are plenty of options.

That's the great thing with this team, it does have depth which leads to having options. You have to believe that Cardinal GM, John Mozeliak, will be busy receiving phone calls as spring-training draws closer.