Rotation

Obviously, the biggest questions for the Cards this year is going to be their starting lineup. Carp and Wells are a lock, but the other three spots are up for grabs.

According to Dunc though, Reyes, Wainwright and Braden Looper will get “priority” during spring training this year. Where does that leave Ryan Franklin?

“You know what I think about Dave Duncan, and if he makes that claim that we’ve got five guys and the other two guys or three guys have to show something extra to nudge one of them aside, then he’s thought about that and he understands the pitcher better than I do, so we’ll go with that,” La Russa said. “But down deep, and I want to make sure I say this when he’s not around, I don’t agree with that.”

And with a surplus of pitchers (11), will the Cards sit on who they have or deal before the season begins? If we play our cards right, when Mulder comes back, limp arm and all, maybe we'll have enough to make a push for an Ichiro trade before the mid-season deadline...