Because i love writing superfluous fanposts.

Looking at every member of the 40-man roster and Non Roster Invitees (NRIs), i will attempt to have a wild stab in the dark at who will be on the Cards' come opening day. Barring unforseen circumstances (i.e. Miles) or exceptional ST performance.

Position Players

Definates:

Yadier Molina
David Freese
Skip Schumaker
Albert Pujols
Ryan Theriot
Lance Berkman
Matt Holliday
Colby Rasmus

Showdown: Allen Craig vs. Jon Jay vs. Adron Chambers

Maybe giving Chambers a little too much credit, but he's certainly a good dark horse candidate for 4th OF. I reckon that with Craig (allegedly) trying to be a thridbaseman he and Jay could head out with the big boys.

Showdown: Descalso vs. Tyler Greene vs. Nick Punto

Positional versatility might give the upper hand to Greene and Punto; i think it depends on whoever is better in ST gets the backup MIF job. Descalso will (probably) start the year in the Minors.

Showdown: Gerald Laird vs. Bryan Anderson

The VEB hivemind might be rooting for Anderson, but the smart (read TLR's) money is on Laird.

Dark Horses:
Matt Carpenter (we can only hope)
Amaury Marti Cazana
Stavinoha (oh sweet jesus no)

The definately not's:

Nick Derba (who?)
Steve Hill
Audry Perez (wuh?)
Robert Stock (as a catcher or pitcher, he ain't going starting in St. Louis)
Donovan Solano
Shane Robinson
Zach Cox
Mark Hamilton
Tony Cruz

Pitchers

Definates:

Chris Carpenter
Ryan Franklin
Jaime Garcia
Kyle Lohse
Kyle McClellan
Trever Miller
Jason Motte
Adam Wainwright
Jake Westbrook
Mitchell Boggs

Showdown: Brian Tallet vs. Raul Valdes

Battle of the LOOGYs; there is a chance that both make the cut due to Tallet's starting experience. Making him a potential long reliever / swing-man. There is an even bigger chance that the FO picks up another LOOGY as an NRI.

Showdown: Miguel Batista vs. Ian Snell

Battle of the long relievers / spot starters. This really depends on ST performance and condition, it could be either of them (or neither of them)

Showdown: Fernando Salas vs. ???

The job is Salas' to lose. I'm not confident enough to say he is guaranteed a spot in the bullpen, but it would be a shock if he's not in there come April.

Dark Horses:

Adam Ottavino
PJ Walters
Eduardo Sanchez

Definately not:

Brandon Dickson
Joe Kelly
Lance Lynn (insurance in Memphis, he needs to keep starting games)
Shelby Miller
Kevin Thomas
Bryan Augenstein
Maikel Cleto
David Kopp
Francisco Samuel

So there you go, by my stabs in the dark; we have 18 roster spots already filled. Because TLR, i'm going to say that 13 pitchers and 12 position players make the cut; that leaves 4 hitters and 3 pitchers that need to be picked in ST, personally, i reckon; Jay, Craig, Anderson, Punto and Tallet, Snell, Salas. Your thoughts?

Active Roster

Non Roster Invitees