I have a hard time believing that the Cardinals are going to be a decent team this season. They have not done much to improve in the off-season. Also, Albert Pujols could shut it down at any time this season because of his bad elbow. Take the under.

29-year old righty swinging Ryan Ludwick and 28-year old lefty swinging Skip Schumaker could be splitting RF this season for the Cardinals. Ludwick played in 120 games for the Cardinals last season and he was 81 for 303 (.267 avg, .818 OPS) with 42 runs scored, 14 homers and 52 RBIs. Ludwick only made 1 error in RF last season in 41 games there while showing slightly above average range.

Skip Schumaker played in 88 games for the Cardinals last season and he was 59 for 177 (.333 avg, .816 OPS) with 19 runs scored, 2 homers and 19 RBIs. He played in 26 games last season in RF and he made 1 error while showing below average range.

38-year old Juan Gonzalez will miss the start of the season for the Cardinals. He hasn’t played in the majors since 2005 with the Cleveland Indians. He has now played in 1,689 games in his major league career and he is 1,936 for 6,556 (.295 avg, .904 OPS) with 1,061 runs scored, 434 homers and 1,404 RBIs.

32-year old righty swinging Juan Encarnacion will likely miss all of the 2008 season as he recovers from surgery to repair a broken eye socket. He played in 78 games for the Cardinals last season and he was 80 for 283 (.283 avg, .769 OPS) with 43 runs scored, 9 homers and 47 RBIs.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON: C-

28-year old lefty swinging Rick Ankiel will be the full time starting CF for the Cardinals in 2008. He played in 47 games last season for the Cardinals and he was 49 for 172 (.285 avg, .863 OPS) with 31 runs scored, 11 homers and 39 RBIs. He didn’t make an error in 22 games in CF for the Cardinals last season but he showed very poor range. Ankiel also played in 102 games in AAA ball last season and he was 104 for 387 (.269 avg, .887 OPS) with 62 runs scored, 32 homers and 89 RBIs. Ankiel started slumping last season after allegations that he used HGH so it will be interesting to he how he responds.

21-year old lefty swinging Colby Rasmus is the best prospect in the Cardinals system and he will start the season in AAA ball. He played in 128 games in AA last season and he was 130 for 472 (.275 avg, .932 OPS) with 93 runs scored, 29 homers, 72 RBIs and 18 stolen bases.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON: C+

27-year old lefty swinging Chris Duncan will get most of the playing time in LF this season for the Cardinals. He played in 127 games for the Cardinals last season and he was 97 for 375 (.259 avg, .834 OPS) with 51 runs scored, 21 homers and 70 RBIs. He did whiff 123 times which is way too many but the Cards want him to stay aggressive at the plate. Duncan played in 99 games in LF for the Cardinals last season and he made 2 errors while showing average range.

25-year old righty swinging Brian Barton has made the team as a Rule 5 Draft Pick. He played in 131 games in AA+AAA ball last season and he was 145 for 476 (.305 avg, .822 OPS) with 65 runs scored, 10 homers, 66 RBIs and 21 stolen bases. He could work his way into a platoon with Duncan if he struggles against lefty pitching.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON: C

31-year old righty swinging Troy Glaus was added this season to provide protection in the lineup for Albert Pujols. He played in 115 games last season for the Blue Jays and he was 101 for 385 (.262 avg, .839 OPS) with 60 runs scored, 20 homers and 62 RBIs. If he can stay healthy he will provide at least 30 homers this season for the Cardinals. He played in 114 games at 3B last season and he made 9 errors while showing average range. This was a good move for the Cardinals as Scott Rolen wore out his welcome in the clubhouse for the Cardinals.

Brendan Ryan will likely be the backup for Glaus at 3B. He played in 24 games at 3B last season for the Cardinals and he made 4 errors while showing outstanding range.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON: B