That's the class we have to choose from?  I'm sorry but I don't see anybody who can help us for the long term on this list. There are a couple of guys who could be impact players, but none of them will make it to free agency.  To bad.

The most ground we stand to gain is with starting pitchers, obviously.  Sabathia, Sheets, and Burnett are all pretty intriguing, especially if Sheets and Burnett can throw an injury free year in 08.  Sabathia may be on his way to NYY/BOS with Johan though.

Another outfielder could open up a trade from our OF depth for a young SS or SP.  Crawford's option will obviously be exercised, but Bradley after an injury free year or Adam Dunn could be interesting plays.  Pat Burrell as well.

No shortstops of note, but Adam Everett could be the best play here since he actually plays fantastic defense to complement his lack of offense, unlike Izturis who just lives on the reputation of great defense.  But who knows, Ryan might be more valuable than anyone on that list by 09.

This one cannot come soon enough.  That buy-out is cheap.

A really strong class especially at the closer position. It sucks that the closer position is so strong, it increases the chances that a team with a top 15 pick signs Izzy and denies us a hgih draft pick and gives as a supplemental one.

Brian Fuentes (33)
Eric Gagne (33)
Trevor Hoffman (41)
Jason Isringhausen (36)
Todd Jones (41)
Brad Lidge (32)
Joe Nathan (34)
Francisco Rodriguez (27)
Rafael Soriano (29)

Man, that's really impressive.

As for a true impact player. There are several that could push a team over the top, but not many long-term solutions for the cardinals. I would like see us make a run for Hudson or Furcal (if he bounces back)

First off the list is not that bad, there are many quality players on there, with that being said I highly doubt any of them will be wearing cardinal red come 2009.  Several of the best players have options for 09' already.  Unless a team is stupid they will either pick it up or trade him midseason, and as we have seen this past winter the cards do not have the trading chips to acquire that high end talent that many of us want.  I mean seriously, do any of us think Tampa Bay would be that stupid.  They will either get huge packages for crawford and Rocco, or if they keep them, they are still super cheap for the talent they provide.  Crawford will only cost 8.25 mill, that's a steal! (say good bye to renteria and Vlad too)

Secondly, we come to the guys that don't have options, specifically, Sabathia, Santana, and Sheets.  I expect that all three will be signed long term by the all star break, but if one was to make it to free agency it would be the same crap we hear every year.  That we made an offer but low balled em, hence he is now with the yankees or red sox.

So in conclusion, I think the best we could get from this would be some marginal infield help such as cabrerra or lopez. (there will be a huge bidding war for Furcal, which the cards will not win) and in pitching maybe the likes of Lowe or Garland, high end...Burnett opts out and we get em.  The market price has gone up so much that as long as Mulder is .500 they will pick up his option, plus tony will still be here to push for him.  One last note, Chris Perez will be the closer in the future, I bet they will pick up izzy to groom him for a year or so and then let em at it.

Sorry, just trying to be realistic

Cards Positions of need in 2009: SP, 2B, SS, CL, RF/LF (assuming we trade Duncan which may offset one of the other needs)

1. SP: There are a ton of good options here even if Sabathia and Santana are already signed.  Burnett wanted to pitch here a few years ago, and with all the money off the books he could come in and help a lot.

'09 Rotation:
Carpenter
Burnett
Wainwright
Piniero
Reyes/Mulder/Clement

IMO -- that's pretty damn good for the money and one FA signing.

2. 2B: Kennedy should be gone regardless of how well he plays this season.  I would make a hard run for Felipe Lopez since he can play SS and 2B, would come fairly cheap, and adds some speed to the lineup.  I think you could easily pick him up for around 4 years $28 million after next season.  MUCH cheaper than Furcal and check out their numbers side by side

Furcal(30): .284/.349/.407 OPS+ 94 (career)
Lopez(28):  .258/.328/.396 OPS+ 89 (career)

Why in the hell would you pay twice as much for a guy who's two years older and has an almost identical OPS+?  Their stolen bases are almost equal the last two years as well.  I don't see the Cards needing a leadoff hitter as Rasmus should probably fill that role in 2009.

3. SS: Signing Lopez would probably fill this role, unless Martinez proves he can do the job in ST.  If so, he plays here and Lopez moves to second and KAZAAM...we have much improved infield productivity for nearly the same price as Izturis' and Kennedy's combined salaries.  If not I think you play Lopez here and hope the Hoffpauir is the real deal at 2B.
4. CL: Hopefully Jaime Garcia, otherwise another year of Izzy at $10 million wouldn't be terrible.  I'd rather not see them get into a long term deal with anyone in this spot with the live arms in the farm system.
5. RF/LF:  The only guy I'd be interested in on that list is Dunn, and I'm not sure why we'd trade away Duncan (team-controlled and inexpensive) for an shitty outfielder that hits bombs, walks, and strikes out a lot.  Nobody else on that list pops out to me (Crawford, Baldelli, and Vlad will all have their options picked up), so I'm hoping that Duncan and Ankiel show their true potential this year and Rasmus comes up and is gangbusters for a month or two.  Dealing with Tampa is much harder now that they've moved Young and Upton out of their OF plans, so I don't see being able to deal for Baldelli, a player I've always really liked.

Bottom line, two signings out of that class would substantially help this ballclub in 2009: A.J. Burnett and Felipe Lopez.  

Worst Case $$$:

Lopez 4 years $32 million (6 mm, 7mm, 9mm, 10mm)
Burnett 5 years $70 million (12mm, 13mm, 14mm, 15mm, 16mm)

With the money coming off the books next year (Kennedy, Izzy, Izturis, Juan E) makes that nearly enough to pay for the first 2 years of both of those deals.  They avoided arbitration with Molina and I hope to pay a lot in arbitration for Duncan and Ankiel next season because they've had such great years.  In the worst case payroll might get to $115 million but the club would surely be competitive in the division with this lineup:

1. Rasmus CF
   
2. Ankiel LF
   
3. Pujols 1B
   
4. Duncan RF
   
5. Glaus 3B
   
6. Lopez SS
   
7. Hoffpauir 2B
   
8. Molina C
   
9. Pitcher

Reserves: Spiezio, Ryan, Ludwick, Barton, Larue (or other backup catcher)

Starting Pitching:

1. Carpenter
   
2. Burnett
   
3. Wainwright
   
4. Piniero
   
5. Clement/Mulder(NO!)/Reyes

Bullpen:

MR: Thompson (R)
MR: Worrell (R)
MR: Johnson (L)
LS: R. Flores (L) (Not concerned with which one)
SU: Kinney (R)
SU: Franklin (R)
CL: Garcia (R)

Our farm system is bottom heavy and therefore, we need long term solutions until Mo and his new team can build on some drafts (and please, don't stay away from all Boras clients--the game has changed--we need to catch up).

We've got to go after pitching in 2009, and since DeWitt and his cronies haven't dipped into those mile-deep pockets in a while, we need to throw some money at younger, but proven starters.

I agree Burnett should be highly targeted. I like Garland for durability and consistency.  Then maybe we look at a long term solution at Middle Infield.