4 Reasons St. Louis Cardinals Can Win It All in 2014

The St. Louis Cardinals were the National League Champions and holders of the best regular-season record in the National League in 2013.  As they turn their attention to the 2014 season, the focus is on repeating the 2013 season.  Ultimately, the goal should be to win just a few more games and come out of 2014 as World Champions.

The Cardinals have done a lot of work already in the offseason and project to have new faces in as many as six defensive positions compared to Opening Day 2013.  Most of those players were already wearing the "Birds on the Bat" across their chest but will assume new roles.  STLToday.com's Bernie Miklasz takes a look at the projected batting order in his piece from earlier this week.

Based on pitching, defense and an injection of power, here are four reasons the Cards can win it all in 2014.

Matt Adams and Allen Craig in the Same Lineup

Bob Levey/Getty Images

One of the challenges in 2013 was the logjam at first base.  Matt Adams, who has become known as "Big City", was a left-handed power bat the Cardinals wanted in the lineup as much as possible.  The problem was, he played first base.  That position was well under control by RBI machine Allen Craig.  Craig can play right field but Carlos Beltran's bat was too good to sit.

Free agency appears set to take Carlos Beltran away.  Craig will likely move to right field and Adams will settle in at first base.  The Cardinals will successfully place one of their top power hitters in the same lineup as one of their top run producers on a regular basis, if both can stay healthy.

Craig and Adams in the same lineup on a regular basis gives the Cardinals a run-producing duo that is very impressive.  Sandwiched around Matt Holliday and Yadier Molina, the middle of the Cardinals' order should propel them forward in 2014.

The Evolution of the Pitching Staff

Rob Carr/Getty Images

The Cardinals were able to make some moves this offseason without sacrificing the young pitching that gained popularity as the 2013 season went on.  Michael Wacha, Shelby Miller, Carlos Martinez and Trevor Rosenthal are all set to move forward going into 2014.

The young pitching of the Cardinals will continue to develop and, considering their success already, that is a scary thing for the remainder of the National League.  As the young staff learns to keep their pitch counts down, rely on a stronger defense and develop into smart, veteran pitchers, their talent will continue to shine.

Wacha was nearly untouchable at the end of the regular season and continued to show that same control in the postseason.  Shelby Miller was successful in the regular season despite his unexplained absence in the playoffs and World Series.  Rosenthal and Martinez provided the team with a one-two punch at the back of the bullpen that locked down games and kept runs, and base runners, a premium.

The realization that the young pitchers of this franchise are still relying primarily on their talent and that they will continue to improve as they gain experience is by far one of the biggest reasons the Cardinals have every chance to win everything in 2014 and beyond.

They Got Better Just One Month into the Offseason

Harry How/Getty Images

The Cardinals went into the offseason with a short shopping list that they felt would help them improve.  As deals were made, it became obvious the plan that John Mozeliak had in place and the moves he felt he needed to make to get there.

Moving David Freese, acquiring a defensive-strong center fielder, bringing a strong short stop onto the roster, finding playing time for Kolten Wong and Matt Adams and not sacrificing his young pitching in the process have become the evident goals.  It is safe to say that Mozeliak achieved all of those goals with flying colors.

Peter Bourjos was acquired from the Angels, along with a minor league prospect, in exchange for David Freese and Fernando Salas, as summarized by MLB Trade Rumors.  Jhonny Peralta was signed to a four-year deal to play shortstop, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.  The trade of Freese moves Matt Carpenter to third base and allows Kolten Wong to take over the everyday second base position.  Carlos Beltran's departure moves Allen Craig to right field and places Matt Adams at first every day.

The team upgraded defensively at second base, third base and center field with the moves.  They took a step back in defense at shortstop but made a large jump forward in offensive production at that spot.  Allen Craig and Carlos Beltran are seemingly equals defensively in right field, depending on what metric you choose to examine.  Craig does provide an upgrade in run production there with the power being replaced by Adams.

It is fair to say that the Cardinals improved their team drastically before the calendar turned from November, 2013.  A team that was already the best in the National League, the Cardinals seemed poised to make that final step.

Mike Matheny Should Help the Cardinals Repeat as NL Champions

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

Manager Mike Matheny signed a new contract extension as well in November.  The team rewarded the skipper, who had no professional managerial experience prior to taking control of the Cardinals in 2012, by showing confidence in his ability to continue to lead the team forward.

The roster is in place, the manager the front office trusts is ready and the development of the farm system continues to provide the team with additional resources.  

The Cardinals have a serious chance to win it all in 2014.  Many would say they have the same chance for many years to come.

Follow me on Twitter to discuss all things baseball.