Its possible that we could start the season with 7 infielders, but if that happens, I don't think it will stay that way for very long. I think we need 2 reserve outfielders especially with both Beltran and Holliday having some physical concerns.

Matheny likes Matt Carpenter. I don't have the exact quotations from him, but he essentially said on more than one occasion that he thinks Carpenter is undervalued by many. Matt Carpenter has been working on his moves for 2B all winter, and Brian reported (by posting his interview) that Carpenter thinks he's ready for the challenge. This isn't like Skip trying to make the switch from outfield to 2B, so it will interesting to see how this plays out in ST. IMO Descalso has still not earned a spot as a regular, starting second baseman.

If we do decide to carry two reserve outfielders, it looks like Chambers is going to get his chance.

mudville wrote: Its possible that we could start the season with 7 infielders, but if that happens, I don't think it will stay that way for very long. I think we need 2 reserve outfielders especially with both Beltran and Holliday having some physical concerns.

Matheny likes Matt Carpenter. I don't have the exact quotations from him, but he essentially said on more than one occasion that he thinks Carpenter is undervalued by many. Matt Carpenter has been working on his moves for 2B all winter, and Brian reported (by posting his interview) that Carpenter thinks he's ready for the challenge. This isn't like Skip trying to make the switch from outfield to 2B, so it will interesting to see how this plays out in ST. IMO Descalso has still not earned a spot as a regular, starting second baseman.

If we do decide to carry two reserve outfielders, it looks like Chambers is going to get his chance.

Considering MM has had as many, if not more, good things to say about Descalso, I agree with the P-D's view that 2B is Descalso's to lose.

I think the Cardinals have good depth in the OF, even without both Chambers and Robinson.

Matt Carpenter is capable of playing either corner OF position, but even if we limit (as if limiting to three positions is limiting) him to the IF where "he feels more comfortable".  That allows Craig to be the back up corner OF, and Beltran is capable of backing up CF for a few innings or a game every once in a while.  So if any of the OF needs to be double switched or (God forbid) gets injured, they can be replace by Carpenter filling in at 1B with Craig going to RF (for example) and Beltran going to CF (if Jay is the one that needs to be replaced). 

If an OF is needed for a longer term (e.g. DL), then Oscar Taveras would be able to fill in. 

Between (Matt) Carpenter, Adams, Traveras, and Wong the Cardinals have plenty of high ceiling depth in the 1B, 2B, 3B, LF, CF, and RF.

Between Lynn, Kelly, Rosenthal, and Miller; the Cardinals have plenty of high ceiling depth in both starting and relief pitching.

Bottom line, I think the Cardinals have plenty of flexiblity in their depth, everywhere except SS and Catcher.  And I think Descalso and Cruz are capable backups in those positions.

I see no down side to giving Cedeno a minor league contract, I think the Cardinals can use the added compition during Spring Traing.  (I can't wait, less than three weeks away!)

Isn't Ronny a cubbie reject? Enough said. Not that Cedeno is a hideous defender, but in general there is a bit of a concern about this organization possibly not placing a high enough emphasis on quality defense. With the glut of starting pitching KO fiends poised to emerge from the farm, maybe the thinking is that with fewer balls being put into play, maybe they can get a little chintzy with the "D" and be just fine? At this level an inadequate defender doesn't signal that you are dealing with a bad athlete. It means you have a player on your hands with certain concentration issues, when they are not the focus of attention(like when they have a bat in their hands). Stick a few of them out in the field of play with a dynamic strike out pitcher, where they might not see a ball hit their way for innings at a crack and they will be daydreaming their way out there about everything but baseball....not a good situation!
Oh and as a quick aside, I think a reminder is in order concerning the posting rules set forth by the powers that be on this site. We need to look no farther than Section 1 Article 1(Posting Standards and Forum Behavior) of the Posting Rules to read the words "We expect you to extend courtesy and respect to your fellow posters while engaging in lively, gay, spirited and dynamic interaction with your fellow posters. It is AGAINST BOARD POLICY to incite or malign a fellow poster or player". Well we had one poster(cough cough...The Jager) call Cedeno "a low hanging fruit" and then another poster(cough cough...Teuf) pile on by calling Cedeno " a classic low hanging fruit". Lets keep a players sexual preference out of the discussion, gentlemen.

While one might worry about Cedeno's game, one should not worry about his off-field life. Over on the blog, JumboShrimp posted about Mrs. Cedeno, who is a model.

One item to consider in all this is that I believe Kozma is out of options.

EDIT:  After a little research, it looks like he has 1 option left.

Domeboys wrote: While one might worry about Cedeno's game, one should not worry about his off-field life. Over on the blog, JumboShrimp posted about Mrs. Cedeno, who is a model.

This might be a good time for someone to dig out that photo of Jose Lima's wife.

Cedeno's expectations may need adjustment. Or maybe he asked to see Furcal's medicals before agreeing to sign...  ;-)

"Cedeño was displeased with his agents last year because he wanted to be a starter, not a backup, so he had no intention of re-signing with the Mets," says Adam Rubin of ESPN New York.

Rosenthal reporting it is a major league contract. If so, someone is being dropped from the 40-man.

Domeboys wrote: Rosenthal reporting it is a major league contract. If so, someone is being dropped from the 40-man.

I'd have to guess Browning.  Unless MM is *really* down on Ryan Jackson.

I think Browning or Victor Marte.

Well if my Twitter feed is any indication of public opinion, Cubs fans are having a lot of fun with this one.

The deal is done. Browning drew the short straw.

Link to my article with all the details.

not surprised it is major league contract - the guy mad $1.2 million last year and OPS'd .741.

The idea that Cedeno could be had with a minor league deal and a ST invite was a bit silly.  In fact, I suspected that he would get more $ in 2013 than in 2012 and, with easy to reach incentives, he will easily do so.  He gets another $170K for 200 ABs so that should come fairly quickly.

I don't think Kozma will ever really be ready (another Tyler Greene IMO) and Jackson isn't ready just yet so this was a wise decision on Mo's part.  Ronny Cedeno seems like a nearly perfect fit for the words "back-up middle infielder".

If all you can do is sign mediocre bums then just let the kids play.

If the kids are worthy of playing, they'll have no problem beating out a bum like Cedeno. You can't just hand over a roster spot to Kozma or Jackson. They haven't earned that privilege. If they want to open the season in the big leagues they better show up and take a roster spot. One the things LaRussa and Jocketty always did well was creating camp competition by bringing in seasoned veterans. Cedeno's been in the big leagues for several years. I'm sure he knows how to prepare for spring training. We'll see if any of the Cardinals younger infielders have been putting in their work in the off season.

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--- nathanleopoldjr wrote:

If all you can do is sign mediocre bums then just let the kids play.

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Lol!!! For all of you new posters who have joined us here at The Cardinal Nation this winter, this funny fellow was only joshing.....as he will do often once the season commences. His name is Nathan, or as many of us around here refer to him as, Homer. Nate here may be the biggest Cards homer east of the Mississippi River as you will see once he gets into full swing come April. The Redbirds....and especially Mo and Mr. DeWitt can do no wrong in Homer's eyes. And speaking of the season that looms just right around the bend now, all of this joking around that you see out of guys like Homer, CardinalNationHouston, Bling, Booyah and a host of others, comes to a screeching halt once that first pitch of the regular season is hurled.....so hang in there.