St Louis Cardinals: Can Chris Carpenter Stay Healthy?

Say what you want about the St. Louis Cardinals, but it's very difficult to count out the Cardinals.  A year ago, they were predicted to win 75 games, and they finished a very respectable 86-76. 

Tony (Harry Potter) La Russa, and Dave Duncan continues to turn nothing into something.  That said, the likelihood of the Cardinals being buyers rather then sellers at the trade deadline is slim.

If Chris Carpenter returns to his 2005 CY Young form, the Cardinals will be in the mix.  I personally don't see him doing that.  Here's a brief look at what you can expect from the 2009 St Louis Cardinals.

2)St Louis Cardinals  84-78 

Key Additions

Khalil Green, Trever Miller, Royce Rink

Key Departures

Randy Flores, Cesar Izturis, Braden Looper, Felipe Lopez, Aaron Miles, Russ Springer, Adam Kennedy

Pitching

Dave Duncan is the best pitching coach in the game.  That said, the Cardinals starting staff is average at best.

When healthy, Adam Wainwright is as solid of a No. 2 as there is in the league.   Problem is, he is expected to be the teams No. 1 starter. 

Even if Carpenter is healthy, it will take a while for him to return to his 2005 and 2006 form.

Kyle Lohse had a great first half last year winning 11 games, but he returned to his normal form winning just four games in the second half.

Todd Wellemeyer and Joel Pineiro will make up the back end of the rotation.  Wellemeyer and Pineiro combined for 20 wins. 

The biggest question mark for the Cardinals pitching staff is their bullpen.  They struck out trying to acquire numerous closers like Brian Fuentes, and Kerry Wood, and they will likely settle with Chris Perez. 

Perez had seven saves last year, but the Cardinals are asking a lot from the young Perez. Without a legitimate closer, it's unlikely the Cardinals will win the NL Central.

Offense

With Albert Pujols in the everyday lineup, the Cardinals will continue to have an explosive offense.  Not only does he terrify opposing pitchers, but he makes the hitters around him better.

The Cardinals need Ludwick to have another career year, if they're to have any chance of beating the Cubs.  Ludwick hit .299 with 37 home runs in 2008.  It will be interesting to to see if he can duplicate those numbers.

Outlook

The Cardinals had a very disappointing offseason.  A year ago they finished 11.5 games behind Chicago, and they did very little to improve their team.

I still believe they will make at least two moves during Spring Training.  They're currently short an arm in the pen, they're short a second baseman, and they could really use another starter.

It wouldn't shock me if St. Louis acquires both Orlando Hudson and Juan Cruz.  If they don't, I think second place is wishful thinking.

Next Up:  The Cincinnati Reds. 

The Reds had another disappointing 2008 season, but I think the Reds will be a much improved team under second year manager Dusty Baker.  More to come soon.