predictions about 08

[Go Cardinals]

Make your predictions now, lets see what people can predict!

I predict, Ankiel will win comback player the of the year award.

[Go Cardinals]

I see you guys are off like a herd of turtles...

[bleacherbum73]

I think we will win 83 games, or more. We won't be as bad as everyone thinks.

Matt Clement will be the surprise pitcher of the year.

[TheStringIsOut_NC]

I don't think there is a middle road with this group.

One of two things will happen.

The pitching staff will be MUCH better than expected, led by a resurgent Clement and outstanding Wainwright as well as a surprisingly stingy bullpen.

Even on bad days the Cards will be in the thick of it because the lineup produces a lot more than everyone figured: think 1977 White Sox. Ankiel and Duncan will be feast-or-famine types, but will churn out home runs. Ludwick will be so good, we'll not see Colby Rasmus until September for a playoff push. Glaus will pan out as a premier power threat. Pujols is healthy and in MVP form. Molina, Kennedy and Izturis all hit just enough, but their defense is the lynchpin of the field.

The team will win 83-90 games and be in the thick of playoff contention all season, bolstered by strong comebacks by Mulder and then Carp in later season action.

This will be labeled LaRussa's finest managerial peformance ever.

OR....

Clement doesn't have "it". Wainwright will be the lone bright light in a pathetic starting rotation as Piniero reverts to barely league average and the rest of the crew is beaten soundly and often. The bullpen is overtaxed and collapses more often than not. Mulder is finally proven washed-up and Carp is extrememly rusty in his return.

Duncan can't recover his first-half form of '07 and continues his circus in left field to a mounting chorus of criticism. Ankiel is a dud - hits his share of impressive home runs, but struggles to stay over the Mendoza line and strikes out at a record clip - while Ludwick and Schumaker/Barton are workmanlike but not exceptional. Rasmus comes up early, impresses, but also takes his lumps.

Molina will be Molina, but both Izturis and Kennedy will be black holes in the lineup and nobody filling in offers much improvement. Worse, Glaus is a disappointment while Pujols misses half the season after his elbow flares up, leaving Josh Phelps to man first base -- he'll play well, but he's no Pujols.

Short answer: I think this Cardinals team will either be one of baseball's biggest surprises or - and, sadly, maybe more likely - they will be one the weakest teams in the National League. So much depends on "IF" (if Clement is healthy and productive, if Mulder, if Carp, if Albert, if Glaus, if Ankiel, if Ludwick, if Rasmus...). Too many unproven quantities, and those who are proven have lingering questions (Glaus's health, Albert's health, Carp's health, Mulder's health)

[Go Cardinals]

great post

[StanTheMan]

I would love for the Cards to overachieve this year, and be in the playoff hunt. But.............. I just don't see it happening. Too many pitching problems, and a perhaps the most unproven outfield in the NL. At least I am not sold on them yet.

I'm prediting a 3rd or 4th place finish, with a 5th a real possibility if Pujols does not play a full season or Carpenter does not make it back by mid-season and in good form.

The Brewers and Astros will vie for the top spot, then the Cubs, the us in all likelihood, then the Reds (who could leapfrog us if the injuries mentioned above happen) and then the Pirates.

[Orioles '66]

Ah, yes, Swinging Stan The Man.
Love that sound.
It's how I grew up.

... Okay, I'm good now.

[SweetLou.]

the cards r going no where cubs 2008

[Old Sweater]

st when most baseball fans probably thought Juan Gonzalez was long gone, he's back.

Proud owner of two AL MVP awards and a pair of home run titles, Gonzalez is in camp this spring with the St. Louis Cardinals, hoping to revive a career that many figured was over.

"I feel like a rookie invited to big league camp after two years off," the 38-year-old outfielder said Tuesday in Jupiter, Fla. "I'm coming back for a big challenge. This is opening doors for myself. I'm here working hard to see what happens."


http://sports.myway.com/news/02192008/v2433.html

What do you Cardinal fans think of this and what do you think the chances are of Juan Gonzalez making the team?

[StanTheMan]

Sweater...... A non-issue and miniscule, respectively.

[SwissRedSoxFan]

Well I don't get it. There are free Agents who immediately would sign with the Cards. And most of them would improve this team!

Corey Patterson, a line like :.270 avg./ .330 OBP./15 HR/80 RBI/50 SB.would be probable. Thats better than most of your outfield. And he would come veeeery cheap.

Shawn Green, 15HR, .300 avg/.360 OBP. better than everything you have in the outfield.

Then: Freddy Garcia (32), Kyle Lohse (29), Jeff Weaver (31), Bob Wickman (39) they all would come cheap and St.Louis would have a good chance to make it into the postseason.

But I think your GM wants to rebuild or isn't ready to spend any money. Thats sad. In this case I would wait till Carpenter is fine again and trade him and Pujols. Thats the only way. The Cardinals would get very good prospects in return.

Otherwise I see darkness over your beautiful new stadium.

Just my two cents.

[Go Cardinals]

In this case I would wait till Carpenter is fine again and trade him and Pujols. Thats the only way. The Cardinals would get very good prospects in return.

Dream on... why trade the best player in the world (proven) for some young gun that is unproven. No offense, but that is the most dumb comment I've ever heard.

[musial6]

Tony will be more autocratic than ever.
Glaus will neither hit nor field.
Pujols will make several trips to the DL.
Ankiel will be back in Memohis by July 4.
Duncan will go off to the AL.
Rasmus will not be ready.
The pitching will be THE WORST in the NL.
Final record: 75-87.
Tony will be booed out of town.

[Edgartohof]

Tony will be more autocratic than ever.
Glaus will neither hit nor field.
Pujols will make several trips to the DL.
Ankiel will be back in Memohis by July 4.
Duncan will go off to the AL.
Rasmus will not be ready.
The pitching will be THE WORST in the NL.
Final record: 75-87.
Tony will be booed out of town.

Gotta love the enthusiasm...

[hubkittel]

Gotta love the enthusiasm...

Welcome to the 2008 baseball season in St. Louis.