St. Louis Cardinals: 5 Bold Predictions for Their Upcoming Offseason

An inconsistent starting rotation and spotty bullpen have put the St. Louis Cardinals in a precarious position for qualifying for this year's National League playoffs. Milwaukee has caught fire after the All-Star break, busting open what was a tight NL Central battle. Atlanta has stayed on pace in the wild-card race, as the Cards have fallen back significantly in both races.

If things don't turn around quickly, the team will face an idle October for the fifth time in six years. This coming offseason brings with it many questions, as general manager John Mozeliak must figure out how to divvy up its 2012 budget among a number of key personnel decisions.

It's not a stretch to envision the Cardinals opening up Spring Training next February with a much different team than it has now. Much of that will hinge on whether the Cardinals can re-sign star slugger Albert Pujols. And his next contract will start the domino effect toward other players.

Needless to say, the Hot Stove will begin days after the final out is recorded in the World Series, after which the team begins exclusive negotiating rights with Pujols. You think Brett Favre drew a lot of attention toward his decision? Get ready for the Albert Pujols Watch starting in early November to a TV set near you.

There is not much need to delve too deeply in the Pujols situation. Clearly, the Cardinals will make every effort to keep its superstar slugger in the fold. There are still plenty of key decisions on the table for Mozeliak & Co. this winter.

1. Re-Sign Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright

St. Louis has watched the Milwaukee Brewers rise to the top in the Central after acquiring Zack Greinke and Shawn Marcum in separate trades. It's crystal clear that any team with hopes of making a playoff run will need a strong threesome at the top of the rotation.

Carpenter and Wainwright both have team options for 2012—Carpenter at $15 million with a $1 million buyout, and Wainwright at $9 million.

Carp, 36, has expressed an interest in completing his career with the Cardinals, but it doesn't appear likely that the team will pick up his expensive option. The team could pay his $1 buyout and re-sign him later for less money, considering his ERA has risen each of the past three seasons.

Wainwright, who turns 30 on August 30, missed all year with Tommy John surgery but is scheduled to return next spring. His option seems likely to be picked up.

Kyle Lohse and Jake Westbrook are already signed for next year, at $11.8 million and $8.5 million, respectively.

2. Plan B

If Pujols decides to move on, Mozeliak will have a pile of money to re-tool the team's already potent lineup. Remember, the Cardinals have the National League's best offense, despite Pujols having his worst personal season in the major leagues.

One direction the Cardinals could turn to would be signing New York shortstop Jose Reyes, who becomes a free agent at season's end.

Reyes would bring a new dimension to the Cardinal lineup as a possible leadoff hitter. St. Louis fans can look back to the 1985 team that featured Vince Coleman at the top and five total players with at least 30 steals each. Coleman had 110 steals and constantly put pressure on opposing defenses, despite only hitting .267 with a .320 on-base percentage.

This year's squad has relied heavily on the home-run ball, and that doesn't often win you games come October.

Reyes could slot at the leadoff spot, followed by Jon Jay and Matt Holliday, in what would be a more dangerous and diverse attack.

The Mets star earns $11 million this season in the final year of a five-year deal he signed in 2007. Reyes leads the league with a .336 average and 16 triples. It's the first time since 2006 that he's hit .300.

A significant raise does not appear to be coming to Reyes, as he has been largely inconsistent, partly because of his recent history of injuries. He'll be looking for a fresh start away from the white-hot spotlight of New York, and St. Louis could be an ideal spot for him.

Current starter Rafael Furcal has a team option for next year at $12 million. That option will almost certainly be declined, as the 33-year-old is hitting an unacceptable .208 in his time split between the Dodgers and Cards.

3. Increased Roles for David Freese and Allen Craig

Whether Pujols returns or not, the Cardinals seem to love the efforts provided by both David Freese and Allen Craig this year. And for good reason.

Both Freese and Craig have missed significant time with injuries but have produced when healthy. Freese has played a solid third base while hitting .320 with seven homers and 39 RBI in 67 games. Craig has played five positions—right field, left, first base, second and third—and has been equally impressive, batting .331 with six homers and 26 RBI in 45 games.

Freese appears to be coming into his own as one of the bright young third basemen in the National League, if he can stay healthy. Some of his missed action has come as a result of freakish injuries, so reason could excuse his absence as an anomaly.

Craig could move into a starting spot at second, and Skip Schumaker could return to the outfield, adding to the team's overall athleticism.

4. Shelby Miller Arrival

Despite his recent suspension from the team's Double-A affiliate in Springfield, Mo., Shelby Miller appears to be on the fast track to the major leagues, and his arrival next year could be the missing ingredient to fill out the St. Louis rotation.

Miller started the year at Class A Palm Beach, but quickly earned a promotion to Springfield, where he is 7-3 with a 2.97 ERA in 13 starts. He has allowed 64 hits in 69.2 innings, with 71 strikeouts.

Though the Cardinals front office has been mum about the whole Miller suspension, others familiar with it say it was alcohol related and not the first such incident in his pro career. The quick suspension by the Cardinal front office sends a message to the 2009 first-rounder that he needs to clean up his act before reaching the major leagues.

5. New Closer

The Cardinal bullpen has been a sore spot all year, starting with the implosion of Ryan Franklin, the former All-Star closer who had so much trouble getting guys out that he lost his job on the team, getting released in late June.

Fernando Salas has solidified the closer role, converting 22 of his 26 save opportunities. But is he a long-term solution? Many think not.

The team addressed the many other problems in the 'pen, getting rid of struggling lefties like Brian Tallet and Trevor Miller, as well as right-hander Miguel Batista.

Jason Motte has been solid all year, posting a 1.86 ERA in a team-high 57 appearances. Lance Lynn has provided many quality relief innings after filling in as a part-time starter. Both Motte and Lynn throw in the upper 90s with good movement. Are they closer material? Not sure, and that's usually a position a Tony La Russa-managed team is well equipped at.

Could they go after free agents like Heath Bell or Francisco Rodriguez? That's possible, and an upgrade is likely if Mozeliak can't re-sign Pujols. Rodriguez, now a Brewer, has a team option at $17.5 million for 2012 with a $3.5 million buyout. Bell will hit the market after the expiration of his current contract that pays him $7.5 million this season.

Bell has expressed a desire to stay on the west coast, but he could be persuaded to move to a contender, at the right price.