JUPITER, Fla. • Contrary to a commonly held belief, the St. Louis Cardinals will not have answered their only question of spring when first baseman Albert Pujols walks into camp on Wednesday.
True, ongoing talks about a contract extension between the club and its three-time National League MVP serve as spring training's early headline, but they hardly represent the sum of what the team will learn the next six-plus weeks.
A club recovering from an 86-win disappointment has attempted both a talent and a chemistry upgrade for a clubhouse often muted during a late-season fade.
New faces at shortstop and in right field offer name recognition, but are they defensive fits?
Unlike last season, will stability within the starting rotation and the ninth inning — GM John Mozeliak says there is NO question about Ryan Franklin's standing as closer — be lasting?
Just as Pujols walks into camp for his 11th and potentially last season with the club, manager Tony La Russa is back for a 16th season as manager with no guarantees for a 17th. Whether or not Pujols' status is addressed by Wednesday, Cardinals camp still serves as fertile ground for a hard nine questions.
1. What does Lance Berkman have left (in right)?
Desperate to deepen their lineup, the Cardinals beat the free-agent rush by signing former Houston Astros All-Star Lance Berkman to a one-year, $8 million contract on the eve of Major League Baseball's winter meetings.
If the move provided answers for Berkman's new franchise, it stirred questions elsewhere. Berkman, who turned 35 Thursday, emerges from a season so frustrating that he briefly contemplated retirement before committing to the Redbirds. He is less than a year removed from left knee surgery that altered his swing, sapping power and dropping his average to .248. Berkman's 38 extra-base hits were down 19 from 2009, down 41 from when he led the National League in doubles in 2008. The switch-hitting Big Puma scratched out a mere .171 average against lefthanded pitching, leading the New York Yankees to platoon him following a July 31 trade that required Berkman's consent. Berkman has hit better than .270 (.276) against lefthanders once in the last five seasons.
A number of the Cardinals' rivals believe a return to the outfield will complicate Berkman's rebound. La Russa says he will station Berkman in right field, though Berkman has appeared in only 75 games in the outfield the last five seasons, and none since 2007. La Russa also insists Berkman, with a career .409 on-base percentage, will hit in the middle of his order rather than out of the second spot.
Berkman, primarily a first baseman the last five seasons, insists the outfield will be more forgiving on his knees. He has helped himself by working four times weekly with a personal trainer and arrives in camp noticeably trimmer. His relationship with Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long last August and September also helped restore Berkman's lefthanded stroke.
The Cardinals grew used to Ryan Ludwick's average 105 RBIs in 2008-09. It might be unfair to expect similar production from the former NL Rookie of the Year and five-time All-Star at this stage of his career, and whether Berkman remains a regular presence against lefthanded pitching is unclear. However, the Cardinals' reliance on him to deepen their lineup and lighten a tense clubhouse is obvious.
2. Is this David Freese's year?
The Cardinals envisioned Freese as their regular third baseman the past two seasons. The belief has translated to 87 games and 271 at-bats that have produced a .299 average, solid run production and universal frustration over chronic ankle and foot issues.
Freese walks into camp after requiring surgery on both ankles within the last six months. A more radical procedure on his left ankle took place following a blowout during an August rehab appearance at Double-A Springfield.
Surgery performed in Vail, Colo., reattached tendon to grooves shaved into bone. Last season's initial ankle injury contributed to a power ebb as Freese managed one home run (while still producing 20 RBIs) in his final 44 starts.
The club maintains Freese will ease into camp, but barring a setback he should be available opening day.
The Cardinals cite veteran Nick Punto, Allen Craig and Tyler Greene as potential depth at the position; however, Freese's status is critical. What is typically a run producer's position has devolved into an offensive wasteland without the Lafayette High and Meramec Community College alum.
Last season the Cardinals used five players for at least 40 innings at the position after giving seven players similar exposure at the spot in 2009. The team's .655 on-base-plus-slugging percentage at the position ranked last in the NL (compared to the .752 league average), as did its seven home runs. The numbers represented a decline from '09, when Cardinals third basemen amassed a .661 OPS and a .229 average (both 15th in the league).
3. What can Kyle Lohse provide?
Lohse insists he is finally confident again in his right forearm after requiring surgery in May to alleviate compartment syndrome, which caused muscle compression.
Healthy, Lohse won 15 games and built a 3.78 ERA while working 200 innings in 2008. He returned last August to make nine starts, going 4-3 while working 44 2/3 innings. Lohse admitted he still had difficulty sinking pitches. As proof, he allowed 83 runners while striking out 29 against 17 walks.
Lohse made an encouraging exit to last season by shutting out the Colorado Rockies for seven innings of a 1-0 win.
After pushing beyond six innings in only three of 18 starts last season, Lohse will largely be evaluated on his durability. Compartment syndrome caused his muscle to shut down and made it impossible for him to pronate his wrist.
With a productive Lohse, the Cardinals offer one of the game's deepest rotations as Chris Carpenter, Adam Wainwright, Jake Westbrook and Jaime Garcia have all worked at least 200 innings, won at least 17 games or constructed an ERA below 3.00 within the last two seasons. Without Lohse, the club would again turn to their organizational pool (P.J. Walters, Lance Lynn, Adam Ottavino) and minor-league free agents (Ian Snell, Miguel Batista). The alternatives have not proved satisfactory the last two seasons.
Lohse has two years and $23.75 million remaining on a contract that makes him the team's second highest-paid starting pitcher. He enters camp as de facto fifth starter. Such status could translate into either weakness or an impressive show of staff strength.
4. How does Skip Schumaker rebound?
Schumaker attacked his 2009 conversion from outfield to second base. Last season, offensive struggles contributed to the position consuming him.
A .302 career hitter entering the year, Schumaker labored to a .265 average. He found himself hitting .219 on May 13. It became the last day he could be considered the team's everyday leadoff hitter. Schumaker raised his average above .250 on June 19, above .260 on June 25 and topped out at .274 on Sept. 11. However, his uncharacteristic start turned the season into a slog that also chipped away at his confidence as a defender. Many of Schumaker's defensive metrics were similar to 2009's, yet many within the organization believed he regressed at a position that he first handled through force of will.
An organizational split developed over whether the club should stick with the status quo. La Russa and his staff successfully argued for Schumaker because of his talent and what he represents as a teammate.
La Russa has not ruled out the possibility of Schumaker returning to the leadoff role while noting that Ryan Theriot and Colby Rasmus will also receive consideration. The Cardinals need Schumaker to return to offensive form. Their leadoff hitters ranked 13th in on-base percentage last season.
5. What's the chemistry in this clubhouse?
Mozeliak had little trouble citing last season's team as "underachieving" while also stating a desire to alter the "clubhouse culture." The Cardinals GM never fully explained the connection, but some of this winter's offseason moves may have shed light. The purpose of dealing fan (and media) favorite Brendan Ryan to the Seattle Mariners was greater clubhouse tranquility more than acquiring Class A pitcher Maikel Cleto. A number of veterans complained to La Russa and management last season about the hyperkinetic Ryan. Beginning with the Sept. 22 release of infielder Felipe Lopez, several other decisions were made based on improving the clubhouse vibe.
Berkman has long been a favorite of La Russa and team chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. alike. Former Cub Theriot is considered a high-energy "dirt" player. Punto was well respected within the Minnesota Twins clubhouse, and Westbrook needed only two months to gain respect from the entire Cardinals pitching staff. Still to be determined is whether center fielder Rasmus can enjoy a more pacific third season. Rasmus' relationship with La Russa has become a perennial topic of discussion. Obviously, how Pujols' contract status affects the clubhouse temperature will be scrutinized.
6. Can Theriot slow the Cardinals' shortstop carousel?
The Cardinals employed Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith, Royce Clayton and Edgar Renteria to serve as their regular shortstops during a 23-year span. Theriot (left) becomes the franchise's fifth starter in the last five seasons, following David Eckstein, Cesar Izturis, Khalil Greene and Ryan.
Trading reliever Blake Hawksworth to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Theriot didn't end debate about the position. The Cubs and the Dodgers both elected to plant Theriot at second base rather than shortstop the last two seasons.
Theriot served as the Cubs' starter at the position during the team's run to consecutive NL Central titles in 2007-08. He started 288 games at shortstop in 2008-09 before being displaced by Cubs phenom Starlin Castro last summer. Metrics describe his range as below average, yet he ranked fourth among NL shortstops in assists two years ago.
The Cardinals admit they sacrificed occasionally spectacular defense when they dealt Ryan but hope Theriot compensates with consistency. Mozeliak has dismissed critiques of Theriot's fitness at shortstop behind a pitch-to-contact pitching staff. The ultimate referendum may take place in spring training when the Cardinals decide whether to take down the turnstile at a position that once stood for organizational stability.
7. Could someone make this team out of the clouds?
The Cardinals offer the look of a well-defined roster. However, non-roster soon-to-be 40-year-old Batista looms as a formidable challenger for a bullpen spot after enjoying a productive year with the Washington Nationals. Coming off a season cut short by shoulder soreness, Ottavino could also challenge for Hawksworth's former spot.
Signed to a minor-league deal, lefthanded reliever Raul Valdez has made himself more prominent with a compelling run as a starting pitcher in the Dominican Winter League.
Outfielder Jim Edmonds, 40, who signed a minor-league contract with the club last week, projects in a potential bench role, which would seemingly put him in a competition with Jon Jay.
Daniel Descalso (left) received more exposure at third base last September than at second base. Such versatility could become an asset should favored candidates such as Greene and Craig labor. The recent signing of Punto more likely assured Descalso of a ticket to Memphis, but he made a decidedly positive first impression on the major-league staff. Veteran Ramon Vazquez, 34, offers depth as a plus defender. He arrives on a minor-league contract after spending last season at Triple-A Tacoma (Seattle) and Round Rock (Houston).
Added to the 40-man roster, outfield prospect Adron Chambers, 24, offers the longest of longshots. His speed makes him an interesting follow for a team that last received 25 steals from Tony Womack in 2004.
Nick Stavinoha finds himself off the 40-man roster after appearing in 79 games with the Cardinals last season. He represents a comfortable pinch hitter who lacks defensive versatility within a roster full of outfielders.
8. Who emerges as No. 6 starter?
This question has baffled the organization several times since its 2006 World Series championship. With the club eager to see what Lohse can provide, Walters (left), Lynn, Snell, Ottavino, Batista and Bryan Augenstein serve as this year's leading fallbacks.
Walters endured a hellish camp last year following the premature birth of a daughter, Annabelle Faith, who later died. He salvaged a credible season at Memphis and won two decisions in seven major-league appearances. At this juncture, Walters is likely considered the leading candidate for the role.
Lynn, the 39th overall pick of the 2008 draft, has enjoyed a consistent climb through the organization. Only 23, he encountered a speed bump at Memphis last season but managed a 13-10 record amid inconsistencies. His fastball gained midway through the season and he did some of his best work in the Pacific Coast League playoffs. Most believe the Cardinals' 2009 organizational pitcher of the year will need another season at Triple-A.
The Cardinals claimed Augenstein off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks in October. At 24, he already has made seven major-league appearances but has yet to enjoy consistency beyond Double-A. Augenstein compiled a 6.56 ERA in 22 starts at Triple-A last season.
Snell, 29, made 122 starts for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2006-09 before lasting only eight starts for the Seattle Mariners last season. He accepted a minor-league assignment before elbow tendinitis eventually forced his August shutdown. He is considered more a midseason alternative and has consented to open the schedule in the minor leagues.
9. How does the bullpen align?
Mozeliak insisted earlier this week that there is no intrigue surrounding Franklin's standing as closer. Franklin converted 27 of 29 save chances and had more difficulty finding opportunities than preserving them.
La Russa and pitching coach Dave Duncan typically remain vague about how they prioritize the right side of the bullpen. Mitchell Boggs, Kyle McClellan and Jason Motte are all future candidates to close but for now must be assigned roles within the seventh and eighth innings.
The most veteran of the trio, McClellan amassed 19 holds last season and compiled a 1.09 ERA in 22 save situations. Boggs produced six holds while appearing more frequently in the sixth inning. Boggs handled five save situations in the seventh inning or later last season. Motte finished with 12 holds and finished the season on a rush after a month-long stay on the disabled list. Motte was unscored upon while striking out 12 against two walks in 10 September outings.
Veterans Trever Miller, 37, and Brian Tallet, 33, project as the two lefthanders. Both are considered specialists. The Cardinals invested $750,000 in the free agent Tallet two years after he made 25 starts for the Toronto Blue Jays and only months after he allowed 20 home runs in 77 innings. The Cardinals hope to limit Tallet's exposure by straining his appearances against righthanded hitters. McClellan's success against lefthanded hitters has traditionally qualified him as a de facto "third lefthander."
Should La Russa and Duncan opt for a seven-man pen, the final spot will come down to Batista, Ottavino, Fernando Salas and Francisco Sanchez. Salas acquitted himself well as a rookie, finishing 11 of 27 appearances. Late damage jacked his ERA from 1.90 to 3.52 in his final seven outings.
