We face a lefty on opening day. Schumacher will not be starting...

Chris Duncan most certainly won't be starting against a lefty on Opening Day and Brian Barton seems ticketed for left-field because the Cardinals are concerned with his defensive abilities.

It can still be over Skippy (Ankiel in CF, Ludwick in RF) but he will play mostly LF this year, I would assume.

I'm more concerned by the fact that Brad Thompson has been given the Wednesday start in Spring Training, which would ticket him for a start in the first week of the season.

I hope this is only in replacement of Pineiro and not Anthony Reyes.

I think it will be Barton in LF, Ankiel in CF, and Ludwick in RF. I have a feeling Duncan could land on the DL if he doesn't start to hit, which could ultimately lead to us seeing a lot of both Barton and Skip in the same lineup if both continue to hit.

Haven't seen him throw. What's the problem? Strength, accuracy, release? Is it Juan Pierre bad, or can he get by in right?

Rick Ankiel, w/ Barton in CF.

If Barton makes the team, thats a big plus period! Especially after TLRs anti-spin on his arm strength. With the pulled muscle I predicted for retiree Jaun Gone, I'd say Barton makes the team now.

The fact that you said "do we really" want etc etc...has me wanting to support Schmacher, just because of the way Skips played this spring. You cant take the spring he's had away and he's had plenty of chances to fail, like him or not.

If Barton makes it to St Louis, the rest can sort itself out in April based on big league ABs and chances.

Skip started against a lefty. I know it's Spring Training and all, but just sayin'. He's been a decent leadoff hitter so far too.

Barton makes the team over Gonzalez... the five outfielders going north will be Barton, Skip, Duncan, Ankiel, and Ludwick. Colby starts the season in Memphis, getting bunches of ABs.

Assuming Izturis and Kennedy both make the club (which I think will happen, whether we like it or not,) my guess is that Miles and Ryan go north. If Duncan starts the season on the DL, that gives Mather the chance to start the year with the big club.

Am I missing anybody? LaRue's the backup catcher, and I don't see any Spiezio-equivalent (with the possible exception of Mather) on the current roster...

hitting 1-2 again today against another lefty....

There is simply no logical way that Brian Barton does not make the team. Cleveland said they will take him back if he's not on the Major League roster. He has to be on this team, the potential this guy has... he has to be on the team.

I know Tony may be scared to have a player with some base running potential out on the field, what's new may sometimes be scary, but I think it's a risk he'll have to take.

Is some much stronger than last year at this time. I am very excited about the differant combinations. I would like to see Skip start every single day. I would hope he continues to play over his head. This way he can build value for his coming trade. Skip will have to be moved (baring injuring) to make room for Rasmus. If Schumaker flames out we have 3 others who can play CF. Duncan should start the season on the DL. This will give him time to work out what ever it is that is ailing him. Follow that up with a minor league rehab asignment. Hopefully he get his shit together by the end of April. With Chris on the DL this makes room for Gonzalez. If Duncan goes north with the team then Juan has to go. Taking him over Barton would be criminally insane. The outfield 5 on opening day COULD be Barton, Skip, Rick, Ludwick and Juan Gone. It is fun to think of all the combinations. Anyway once Duncan gets his stroke back there will be a decision to make. Does he or Gonzalez get moved?

I really hope that Izzy2 is let go, and Ryan gets the job. Adam has his job back and Miles is the MI back up. This would make room for a guy like Mather to be on the 25 man roster.

The Lohse signing also makes the roation permutations look interesting. How about this?

Wainman, Lohse, Pinero, Welley, Thompson. When Clement is ready Thompson joins Looper in the pen. Joel will miss a start or two so Reyes gets them, but he is sent to Memphis. I expect Reyes to perform real well there and gain trade value. So the roation will evolve this year, and could look like this in May. Wainman, Mulder,Clement, Lohse, PInero. WOW! That Could be awsome. The depth will be amazing with Looper, Thompson, and Welley in the pen, and Reyes in Memphis. With all these wounded starters coming back it will make the pen a complicated place as well, and there is still Carpenter to make room for.

I think there will be enough depth on this team to make some moves at the deadline. Maybe Pinero and Schumarker get packaged for a SS, or something along those lines.

This team has a lot to optimistic about. Even if you are not excited about the prospects of the team as a whole there are individuals to watch. Several young arms, and young outfielders will make the coming season very fun to watch.

any shortstop acquired for joel and schu wouldnt be better than what we already got

as it looks right now, the starters would be Ankiel, Barton, and Skippy. Duncan is the one right now that looks out of place.

I voted for Barton, but I almost feel bad voting against Skip just because I think he's turned himself into a pretty useful player. However, I'm excited about Barton and I'd like to see the Cardinals hang onto him, even if it's at Skip's expense.

While watching games, I have a tendancy to rag on Dunc the Younger b/c of who his dad is myself. However, if you made him "Player X" instead of Chris Duncan you would choose Player X ten times out of ten over Barton, Ludwick or Skippy.

Duncan is a 20 to 25 HR hitter, .360 to .370 OBA provider, and a .300-ish EqA player. His VORP in '06 was 24.8 and 17.3 in '07 when he played with a hurt knee and then underwent surgery for his sports hernia. What's more, Dunc's FRAA is -4 for LF while Skip's is -3. Duncan has become a better OF defensively while Skip is regressing.

With a neck-in-neck FRAA, Skips offensive numbers make him the prohibitive bench player. His VORP last year was 10 and he has no HR power to speak of. He hit for a high BA last year, but if that drops down even a little, his offensive value is snuffed out.

It is worth lauding TLR for getting the maximum of production out of all of these players last season. Both Skippy and Ludwick probably produced above their heads; still, Ludwick has more upside than Skippy who is just a AAAA player. Hopefully he can get the same out of Barton, whose Minor League numbers are not all that heartening.

The only positives I see with Skip is his defense and ability to lead-off.

However, I think Barton's defense will be fine and he might be better in the lead-off role with his speed. His wheels could also make up for his defensive miscues in the field. I wouldn't be surprised to see Barton start in center on days that Ankiel has off.

the Cardinals... stealing... bases?

LF Duncan
CF Schumaker
RF Ankiel

That was easy...

4th & 5th outfileders Barton, Ludwick.

he should be in center field and Ankiel should be in right field. Ankiel is not nearly as good defensively in center as Skip.

have outstanding arms in the outfield. Barton has an arm like Juan Pierre, which is only slightly better than my mom's. Unfortunately, I've never seen Colby try to throw someone out, so I have no idea about his arm.