Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Cardinals are content to stand pat...for now

While many Cardinals fans may be panicking over the team's sluggish start, GM John Mozeliak is not.  Both Rick Hummel and Ken Rosenthal posted articles recently indicating the the Cardinals GM is not looking to make a move any time soon.

However, that doesn't mean that one won't be coming in the future, as Mo says "That doesn’t mean we’re going to sit back and be complacent and do nothing. We’ll survey markets and see where we might go. It’s a little too early to say what we might chase.’’

The Cardinals offense has started to show signs of life and their bullpen will get a boost from the return of Jason Motte, so its hard to see where the Cards have a glaring need.

One area where the Cards have struggled is second base, where the team has a .207/.276/.250 line so far this season.  However, since his return from the minors, Kolten Wong has gone 5 for 11 to raise his average to .256 and is starting to look like he belongs in the majors.

Another problem area has been right field, where Allen Craig resides.  His .226/.281/.354 line is the main reason the Cardinals right fielders are hitting .203/.254/.326 as a group.  However, Craig is still a career .297 hitter and its too soon to give up on him.

Finally, center field has been an issue for the Redbirds, where projected starter Peter Bourjos got off to a slow start, leading Manager Mike Matheny to play the defensively challenged Jon Jay more in the early going.  However, Bourjos' bat has come alive in May, to the tune of .324/.390/.486, leading to more playing time for him and less talk of promoting Oscar Taveras.

Overall, the Cardinals have the talent and the depth to get on a hot streak and pass the fading Brewers.  Once guys like Craig, Matt Holliday and Matt Carpenter start hitting like they should, the wins should follow.

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