The St. Louis Cardinals break camp in Jupiter, Fla., on Friday, and after a couple of exhibitions at the Minnesota Twins new home park, travel to Cincinnati for their season opener on Monday (April 5). MLB oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com list St. Louis as -125 odds favorite to win the National League Central Division this year and as serious challengers to Philadelphia for the National League Pennant (+500). The Cardinals are listed on the Sportsbook World Series board at +1200 odds to win the 2010 Fall Classic.
Perhaps the biggest news coming out of Cardinal's land was the signing of outfielder Matt Holliday prior to spring training. The Cardinals traded for the slugger in July 2009 because they needed protection for first baseman Albert Pujols. Trading for Holliday was risky as he was in his final year of his contract with the Colorado Rockies. After testing the free-agent market following the season, Holliday agreed to a seven-year deal worth $120 million. Holliday played in 63 games for St. Louis during 2009; hitting .353 with 13 homeruns and 55 RBI.
The Cardinals starting roster would be the envy of any MLB general manager. Taking the field on Monday will be reigning NL Most Valuable Player Pujols, two Cy Young finalists from 2009, Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter, a Gold Globe and All-Star catcher; Yadier Molina and slugging outfielder Holliday. Then throw in All-Star closer Ryan Franklin.
St. Louis should have a solid infield with Gold Glove-caliber shortstop Brendan Ryan and second baseman who hits leadoff, Skip Schumaker. Joining Ryan, Schumaker and Pujols (first base) in the infield will be rookie third baseman David Freese. The new Cardinals third-baseman had a good spring hitting .302 with 10 RBI in 63 at-bats.
If there is a knock on the Cardinals (2010 version) its the depth. If the Cardinals have injury issues there is not a lot in experience on the bench. And if 2009 MVP Pujols goes down for any extended period of time, it could prove disastrous. Bullpen depth behind their closer Franklin is a concern.
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