A look at the 2015 Cardinals

    I thought you guys might like to hear a few things about the year 2015.  I won't bother you with how I'm  writing this from 2015, because i've got a lot to get to.   First a few non Cardinals related items.

    The world does not end in December, 2012.  Somehow, Glenn Beck seemed disappointed. 

     Face-book will is on the inevitable decline faced with competition from a new social network that saves you the trouble of finding real friends and instead picks your friends for you, and a small but dedicated group of boycotting activist upset with Mark Zucherberg's continued Promotion of Mel GIbson films.

     Charlie Sheen is running for governor of California next year.  Noticing his resume was filled with womanizing and drug abuse, he thought politics would be a natural fit for him.

On to Cardinal related notes:  

    Jeff Lunhow became General manager of the Cardinals after Johnny Mo resigned to pursue the position of commissioner of baseball.  Bud Selig was ousted due to the unpopularity of  his 17 tier playoff system in 2013 that scheduled the world series during spring training of 2014.

    Tony Larussa retired after the 2011 season, leaving behind a broken hearted Dave Duncan and a city which, never really cared for him anyways.  He was replaced by the patient  Ron (Pop) Warner who was anxious to show the world that he too, understands the rules of baseball.

    Dave Duncan stayed through the 2012 season, but wasn't quite the same.  His game plans were still simple and brilliant, but every now and again he would smile leading people to speculate Tony's absence had changed him.   Last year he briefly returned to the spot light after assaulting a juvenile with a broom for walking on his lawn.

     Albert Pujols left the cardinals via free agency, signing with the dark horse bidder San Fransisco Giants for an exorbitant 300 Million dollar 10 year contract.   Asked about the cost of the contract, Giant's General Manager Brian Sabean responded, "What a deal, he's like twice as good as Barry Zito."  

    The Cardinals fell into disarray after the 2011 season.  The revolving door in right field and first base became a magnet of criticism for the fans and the rotation was hampered by ill conceived contracts.   Chris Carpenter was allowed to leave  after his option was declined and quickly signed a two year deal with the Pirates.   He was the focal point of that teams worst to first story line as the pirates quickly became the best team in the NL.     

    But this year, 2015, is the team that is going to win it all.   Jeff Lunhow is a die hard grow em' and play em' GM and the excitement around this club is electric.  Here's a look at why.

     Cody Stanley is in his second year of the show.   His appearance as an athletic big league catcher was a relief to wary fans tired of watching Yadier Molina allow balls passed between his legs.  Yadi, once a highly regarded catcher,  was relegated to a back up role after a tattoo artist inflicted nerve damage to his neck that caused a severe loss of motor skills. 

    First base is filled with the unlikely acquisition this off season of 38 year old Carlos Beltran. The injury riddled Beltran,  who after signing an ill advised 4 year contract with the Red Sox,  was acquired by Luhnow for nearly forgotten relief pitcher Robert Stock.  The thinking goes that first base will allow him to stay healthy and productive this year.

   The Keystone is manned with the too gritty Dan Descalso.  Once criticized for being a fungible player, he cemented his way into the teams future after a cleat first slide into the side of Brandon Phillips face.   The twitter war that ensued earned Descalso a nice extension.

    Third base has been a revolving door for the last few seasons.   David Freese underwent surgery replacing both knees which inexplicably left his left shoulder damaged beyond repair.   Hero of the day Matt Carpenter was penciled into the starting role, despite never really being good enough, after a game winning triple clenched the wild card for the ailing 2012 Cardinals.  Zach Cox was pushed through the system and for a while stood at the hot corner.  He proves the Cardinals should not draft infielders from the Midwest for good.   However, optimism abounds about Third Sacker Jason Esposito.  After a June call up last year the defensively gifted Esposito drew comparisons from fans to a young Scott Rolen.   Once considered an overdraft, the  2011 first rounder hit .275/.363/.498 in the second half of last year.

     Shortstop is Luhnow's own Ryan Jackson, now in his third year of service.   UZR says he should have won a gold glove last year, but they keep giving that to tulo even though he has been slipping for years.

      Left field still has a giant head floating around.

     After the disaster of allowing Carpenter and Pujols to leave, Johnny Mo quickly signed Rasmus to an extension, Garcia and Wainwright followed.  Rasmus is very popular now  with the fans after the Cardinals insisted upon him taking a public speaking course at a local community college.

     Right field is manned by our very own TTO hitter Rainel Rosario, who after belting 15 home runs in the last two months of the season pushed Nick Swisher into a utility role.   We are all waiting on 22 year of Oscar Taveras, who dominated AAA last year and sits atop prospect charts to step in at the first sign of injury.

    The rotation is headlined by some familiar faces, including Adam Wainwright, Jamie Garcia, who is returning from injury, and Shelby "will rule the world one day" Miller.  Miller is something the Cardinals haven't had in a long time, a true homegrown ace.  After winning rookie of the year honors last year, many look for him to compete for the Cy Young award this year.     Deryk Hooker and Newly acquired reclamation project Scott Baker round out the rotation.

    The Bull pen is Headed by newly inaugurated closer Trevor Rosenthal.   He was excellent for us last year, and only expect more of the same.   BTW, Jason Motte is still learning a second pitch. 

   Anyways, I hope I haven't told you to much,  a little over a month into the season we're just all really excited about this years group of players, and want everyone to know that in the rough times of 2012-2014 there's a lot to look forward to.