Division Rival Analysis - St. Louis Cardinals

Its Brendan Ryan. He needs to put up another solid season offensively and continue his great work with the glove.

Pujols, Holliday and Wainwright all should put up good years. Of course Carpenter has to stay healthy but I dont know if he can put up another 5 win season.

The Kyle Lohse/Brad Penny combo is something for them to worry about too. Piniero had an all star type year last year. They still win the division without him, but they need a pretty solid #3 starter to get them back to the playoffs.

His health is certainly something that shouldn’t be taken for granted, and when he’s healthy, he’s dominant. When he’s not healthy, they’re down an ace. That’s a huge swing. Even if Yadi or Ryan don’t put up 3+ WAR seasons, they’ll still probably give you 2 or so WAR. The difference between having Carp and not having Carp is much bigger than 1 WAR.

But not replacing Piniero will hurt too, but an injured Carpenter will hurt more.

I think the last three would be nice for them, but healthy Carp (and Wainwright, for that matter, though there’s much less concern about his health) is as big as the rest of them combined.

I’m curious and too lazy to look it up: Their rotation is what, Carp, Wainwright, Lohse, Penny and Wellemeyer? Who’s their 6th and 7th starting options?

that a full year of Holliday will help them as well.

There is no doubt that the key to the Cardinals is Carpenter. Since he signed with the team in 2003 he has had 4 seasons where he made 28 or more starts….2004, 2005, 2006 & 2009. The Cards have won the division all 4 of those years and only in 2006 was it even close. In the years that Carpenter has missed (2003, 2007 & 2008) the Cards have 2 winning records but no playoff appearances. Pujols and his ridiculous production virtually guarantees that the Cards will be in contention every season but it is Carpenter that pushes the Cards over the top.