The Hot Corner Cardinals: News and Notes from St. Louis' Spring Training

As Cardinals' players begin their last day before spring games get underway, a few news items stand out from St. Louis' spring training.

Matthew Leach twittered that he thought Joe Mather had the lead at third base at the moment, and he followed that up with a story on the official site. I knew Mather had been mentioned about taking over for the injured Troy Glaus, but I really didn't think much about it, focusing instead on David Freese. 

Obviously, no matter how good he is, it's not a permanent switch—unlike Skip Schumaker's transition to second. As Leach points out, however, having utility on a Tony LaRussa ball club is a great thing for job security.

Getting his right-handed bat into the lineup wouldn't be a bad thing either, assuming he's over the wrist injury. The Cardinals, with the potential of an all-southpaw outfield, could use a little pop from that side of the plate.

Well, pop from someone other than first baseman Albert Pujols, of course.

Mather is also getting a little boost in the third base derby since Brendan Ryan is having to sit out a few days of hitting with tendinitis. He can still field but hitting seems to bother him.

Since Ryan is going to need to hit, if he hopes to outshine his competitors, the injury could be a rough thing for him. I believe Ryan is out of options however, so there's a good chance that he'll make the roster as a utility guy, despite this setback.

Josh Kinney wasn't exactly as sharp as he wanted to be in batting practice yesterday, but when you are coming back from not playing the game, you don't worry as much about balls in the dirt.

Kinney is fairly assured of a job, I'd think, assuming he doesn't have a terrible spring. He does have options, so he might be moved, if they think he could use a little work in AAA. But I'd expect to see him riding the convertibles on Opening Day in St. Louis.

Once he works out the kinks on the delivery, he could be an effective option out of the pen.

In comparison, Adam Wainwright appears to have no such issues. His last live BP session had him looking good, even against Pujols. I honestly can't wait to see him and Carpenter on back-to-back days.

This team hasn't had such a one-two punch since maybe the Darryl Kile-Matt Morris days.

In other news, the latest UCB roundtable transcript has gone up. Cardinal Nation Globe asked us, if we could choose anyone in baseball, who would you replace Albert Pujols with as franchise player of the Cardinals? 

It was a tough question, but there were numerous good responses.

Today's Playing Pepper looks at the Mariners and the Dodgers, so be sure to check in for that!