November 10, 2004
The pain is beginning to dull…
by Ryan Pastrovich
Let’s not talk about the World Series. Let’s look forward. Unlike last year, when Cards GM Walt Jocketty had the luxury of making a few relatively minor moves to supplement a largely intact returning squad, the organization faces some major decisions this winter.
Let’s take a look the most pressing of them, in order of priority:
Resolve the Renteria situation
As I’ve written previously, I don’t believe Edgar is worth much more than $7 million a year in a long-term deal. However, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Cardinals, fresh off their pennant-winning euphoria, hand him a $10 million-a-year contract.
Either way, the Cardinals need to ascertain as soon as possible whether or not they’ll be able to keep Renteria, because the money they spend (or save) on the shortstop position will dictate the rest of the offseason game plan.
Shore up the rotation
Matt Morris is as good as gone. Woody Williams is a free agent after the team wisely declined his option. That leaves Jeff Suppan, Chris Carpenter, Jason Marquis and a host of candidates including Danny Haren and, of course, Rick Ankiel.
The Cardinals cannot go into the season counting on both Haren and Ankiel to be in the rotation. As good as Haren has looked in middle relief, let’s not forget that he’s entirely unproven as a major-league starter. And if I have to tell you why Ankiel is a risk, you’re at the wrong website. Either Haren or Ankiel (or both) should start the season in the bullpen and serve as insurance should a starter go down to injury. And remember, 2004 was an anomaly. Starting pitchers get hurt. Anyone who goes into the season as the de facto sixth starter is likely to get a decent amount of starts.
So, the Cardinals need to add at least one pitcher. If the Randy Johnson rumors finally come to fruition (I’m not holding my breath), we must assume that Marquis would be part of the package sent westward…meaning a hole in the rotation would remain. Still, it would be much easier and cheaper to fill a #3 or #4 starter hole than an ace.
But this is priority number two for a reason – it all depends on how much money is left over after the shortstop situation is resolved. Only after Renteria signs or departs will the prudent course of action for filling the rotation present itself.
Patch up the bullpen
A real strength last year, the bullpen has a few questions heading into 2005. Izzy is set for his seemingly annual surgery, although it’s not on his arm. Kline is likely gone. Eldred will likely be offered arbitration, in which case he would almost certainly return.
The biggest question is the second lefty spot presumably vacated by Kline. With Tony La Russa’s proven track record of using a second lefthander at nearly any cost, memories of Pedro Borbon Jr. and Jeff Fassero are enough to make any Cardinal fan nervous. Of course, Ankiel could be used as a left-handed specialist, but the team must show confidence in bringing him into games in mid-inning.
Find a second baseman
Tony Womack, with his .300 season, may have priced himself out of St. Louis. It’s not a huge loss, considering Womack is unlikely to duplicate his 2004 season. Still, if Womack departs, a replacement must be found. For years now, we’ve heard rumors about Baltimore’s Jerry Hairston heading our way. It makes sense again this offseason.
If the Cards go the free-agent route to find a second baseman, possible targets include Pokey Reese (who couldn’t hit his way out of a paper bag but plays top-notch defense), old friends Miguel Cairo and Placido Polanco. Todd Walker is campaigning for a starting role somewhere, but his lack of range may be a turnoff to Cards brass.
Determine Yadier Molina’s role
If the team decides Molina is ready to be a full-time (or close to it) catcher, Mike Matheny’s days with the team may be numbered. Matheny deserves to be a starter somewhere, and could expect to be paid in kind. If the team would like to ease Molina into the starting job for another year or two, it makes sense to give Matheny, a family man who be all accounts would like to stay in St. Louis, more cash.
Augment the bench
Beyond John Mabry, the Cardinals had precious little power on the bench. None of So Taguchi, Marlon Anderson, Hector Luna or (shudder) Cody McKay presented the threat of dropping a three-run bomb into the bullpen. Mabry is a free agent, so finding a hint of power for a pinch-hitting role is key. Free agents like Joe Randa or Greg Colbrunn would at least give the opposing manager something to think about in the late innings.
It’s as simple as that, Walt. Get to work.
