With a little over 2 weeks left until opening day, the Cardinals are still trying to decide on a 5th starter. Despite my speculation that Joe Kelly won the job with his performance yesterday, Mike Matheny stated after the game that no decision had been made, adding that the team could allow both Kelly and Shelby Miller to pitch again before reaching a decision.
Even with that job still unsettled, the rest of the roster is beginning to take shape, with only a couple spots still in doubt.
Here is my projected opening day roster:
Starting Lineup
C - Yadier Molina
1B - Allen Craig
2B - Matt Carpenter
SS - Pete Kozma
3B - David Freese
LF - Matt Holliday
CF - John Jay
RF - Carlos Beltran
Bench
Daniel Descalso
Ty Wigginton
Tony Cruz
Shane Robinson
Ronny Cedeno
Starting Rotation
1. Adam Wainwright
2. Jake Westbrook
3. Jaime Garcia
4. Lance Lynn
5. Joe Kelly/Shelby Miller
Bullpen
Jason Motte
Mitch Boggs
Edward Mujica
Trevor Rosenthal
Fernando Salas
Randy Choate
Marc Rzepcynski
Notes
The "on the bubble" guy, in my opinion, is Ronny Cedeno, who does not have a guaranteed contract and has not been very impressive this spring. If the Cardinals decide to go with 13 pitchers to start the season, I could see them release Cedeno and carry the loser of the 5th starter battle as a long reliever.
Ty Wigginton has not hit at all this spring (just 4 for 32), but with a 2-year, $5 million deal, he's not going anywhere.
Adron Chambers has played fairly well this spring, but Shane Robinson's insane hitting (.516/.571/.968) this spring has pretty much locked up the 4th outfielder spot. The only thing Chambers has going for him is that he is a left handed hitter and the Cardinals may need another lefty on their bench.
There was some speculation that Michael Wacha's strong spring could earn him a spot on the opening day roster, but alas he was reassigned to minor league camp yesterday.
Oscar Taveras is still in play for a roster spot, but he has cooled off a bit since his hot start to the spring and is likely ticketed for AAA as well.
Bottom of the 9th-3 on- 2 out- P up/ Who PH-WAYNO?
ReplyDeleteThere is some speculation that Matt Adams could replace Ronny Cedeno. There's your PH'er. Otherwise, I agree that its a bit of a week bench, you would be looking at Wigginton as you main PH'er.
DeleteThey should be using Matt Adams with the way he's playing in spring training, I'd be using him as the main pinch hitter, not wiggington - he was just a waste of money, not needed with all the young talent we have
ReplyDelete