34-year old switch-hitting Rafael Furcal will be the full-time SS for the Cardinals in 2012 and they are hoping that he can stay healthy. Furcal played in 50 games for the Cardinals last year and he was 50 of 196 (.255 avg, .735 OPS) with 29 runs scored, 7 homers, 16 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. He played in 87 games overall last year for the Dodgers & Cardinals and he was 77 of 333 (.231 avg, .646 OPS) with 44 runs scored, 8 homers, 28 RBIs and 9 stolen bases. Furcal has now played in 1,484 games in his first 12 years in the majors and he is 1,685 of 5,965 (.282 avg, .756 OPS) with 990 runs scored, 108 homers, 536 RBIs and 302 stolen bases. Furcal played in 85 games at SS last year and he made 14 errors while showing off pretty good range.

36-year old lefty swinging Alex Cora will be fighting to be the backup SS this spring. Cora played in 91 games for the Nationals last year and he was 35 of 156 (.224 avg, .562 OPS) with 12 runs scored, 0 homers, 6 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Cora has now played in 1,273 games in his first 14 years in the majors and he is 828 of 3,408 (.243 avg, .648 OPS) with 360 runs scored, 35 homers, 286 RBIs and 47 stolen bases. Cora played in 16 error-free games at SS last year for the Nationals while showing off outstanding range.

Daniel Descalso and Tyler Greene can also handle playing SS. Descalso played in 13 games for the Cardinals at SS last year and he had 2 errors while showing off outstanding range. Tyler Greene played in 20 games at SS for the Cardinals last year and he had 2 errors while showing off good range.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE SS IN 2012: B

For some reason the Cardinals are going to give 28-year old righty swinging Tyler Greene a shot to win the starting 2B job in 2012. He played in 58 games for the Cardinals last year and he was 22 of 104 (.212 avg, .611 OPS) with 22 runs scored, 1 homer, 11 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. Greene has now played in 150 games in his first three years with the Cardinals and he is 69 of 316 (.218 avg, .621 OPS) with 45 runs scored, 5 homers, 28 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. Greene played in 25 games at 2B for the Cardinals last year and he made 3 errors while showing off pretty awful range. He was the favorite to win the starting job at 2B when spring training opened.

32-year old lefty swinging Skip Schumaker should be the starting 2B for the Cardinals in 2012. He played in 117 games for the Cardinals so far this year and he is 104 of 367 (.283 avg, .685 OPS) with 34 runs scored, 2 homers and 38 RBIs. Schumaker has played in 703 games in his first 7 years in the majors and he is 629 of 2,170 (.290 avg, .724 OPS) with 303 runs scored, 22 homers, 183 RBIs and 19 stolen bases. Schumaker had 7 errors in 95 games at 2B for the Cardinals last year while showing below average range. Schumaker is a much better hitter than Greene.

25-year old lefty swinging Daniel Descalso is also in the running for the starting 2B job for the Cardinals. He played in 148 games for the Cardinals last year and he was 86 of 326 (.264 avg, .687 OPS) with 35 runs scored, 1 homer, 28 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Descalso has now played in 159 games in his first two years for the Cardinals and he is 95 for 360 (.264 avg, .683 OPS) with 41 runs scored, 1 homer, 32 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. Descalso played in 18 error-free games for the Cardinals at 2B last year while showing off outstanding range.

36-year old lefty swinging Alex Cora played in 5 errors at 2B for the Nationals last year and he had 1 error while showing awful range. His best defensive position is SS.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2B IN 2012: C

The St. Louis Cardinals are moving 36-year old switch-hitting Lance Berkman to 1B in 2012 to replace Albert Pujols. Berkman played in 145 games for the Cardinals last year and he was 147 for 488 (.301 avg, .959 OPS) with 90 runs scored, 31 homers, 94 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. He has now played in 1,774 games in his first 13 years in the majors and he is 1,822 of 6,154 (.296 avg, .954 OPS) with 1,107 runs scored, 358 homers, 1,193 RBIs and 84 stolen bases. Berkman played in 21 games at 1B last year for the Cardinals and he made 2 errors. Moving to 1B should save the wear and tear physically on Berkman in 2012, so the Cardinals are hoping that he can play around 145 games for them this year.

27-year old lefty swinging Mark Hamilton played in 38 games for the Cardinals last year and he was 10 for 47 (.213 avg, .551 OPS) with 5 runs scored and 4 RBIs. He also played in 69 games in AAA-ball last year and he was 87 for 252 (.345 avg, .911 OPS) with 46 runs scored, 2 homers and 39 RBIs. He has now played in 47 games in his first two years with the Cardinals and he is 12 for 61 (.197 avg, .503 OPS) with 5 runs scored and 4 RBIs. Hamilton didn’t make any errors in his 8 games at 1B for the Cardinals last year.

27-year old righty swinging Allen Craig would likely move in from the outfield if something happened to Lance Berkman. He played in 2 error-free games at 1B last year for the Cardinals.

PROJECTED GRADE AT 1B IN 2012: B

29-year old righty swinging Yadier Molina just seems to keep getting better and the Cardinals hope that trend continues in 2012. Molina played in 139 games for the Cardinals last year and he was 145 of 475 (.305 avg, .814 OPS) with 55 runs scored, 14 homers, 65 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. He has now played in 944 games in his first 8 years with the Cardinals and he is 863 of 3,155 (.274 avg, .707 OPS) with 278 runs scored, 55 homers, 390 RBIs and 25 stolen bases. Molina played in 138 games at catcher in 2011 for the Cardinals and he had 5 errors and 6 passed balls. Molina cut down 15 of 65 (23.1%) runners trying to steal on him last year and Cardinals’ pitchers had a 3.91 ERA with him behind the plate. Look for Molina to add to his Gold Glove collection in 2012, and he will also continue to hit well.

25-year old righty swinging Tony Cruz comes into this season as the Cardinals’ #20 prospect according to Baseball America. He played in 38 games for the Cardinals last year and he was 17 for 65 (.262 avg, .672 OPS) with 8 runs scored, 0 homers and 6 RBIs. Cruz also played in 45 games in AAA-ball last year and he was 39 for 149 (.262 avg, .704 OPS) with 13 runs scored, 4 homers and 25 RBIs. Cruz played in 20 games behind the plate for the Cardinals in which he had no errors and 1 passed ball. Cruz threw out only 2 of 4 (50%) base stealers last year for the Cardinals and their pitchers had a 3.00 ERA with him behind the plate. If the Cardinals deem Tony Cruz ready this spring, he will win the backup catcher job over Koyie Hill.

32-year old switch-hitting Koyie Hill will challenge Tony Cruz for the backup catcher job this spring. Hill played in 46 games for the Cubs last year and he was 26 for 134 (.194 avg, .545 OPS) with 15 runs scored, 2 homers, 9 RBIs and 1 stolen base. He has now played in 302 games in his first 8 years in the majors and he is 176 of 833 (.211 avg, .573 OPS) with 75 runs scored, 8 homers, 75 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. Hill played in 85 games behind the plate for the Cubs last year and he made 6 errors and had 2 passed balls. Hill threw out 7 of 33 (21.2%) base stealers and Cubs’ pitchers had a 4.28 ERA with him behind the plate.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE CATCHERS IN 2012: A

The Cardinals only have two relievers (Scott Linebrink and J.C. Romero) that are over 30 years old competing for bullpen spots this spring. That being said, the Cardinals are stacked with hard throwing, young relievers for 2012. Here is a look at how the bullpen stands as of right now:

Closer: Jason Motte: 29-year old righty Jason Motte likely has a small lead over Fernando Salas for the closer’s job heading into spring training. He pitched in 78 games (0 starts) for the Cardinals last year and he was 5-2 with 9 saves, a 2.25 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP. Motte has now pitched in 215 games (0 starts) in his first four years for the Cardinals and he is 13-8 with 12 saves, a 2.92 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. Motte has nasty stuff and he looks flat out mean on the mound.

Set-Up Man: Fernando Salas: 26-year old righty Fernando Salas could switch jobs with Jason Motte at some point this year (as early as this spring). He pitched in 68 games (0 starts) for the Cardinals last year and he was 5-6 with 24 saves, a 2.28 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP. Salas has now pitched in 95 games (0 starts) in his first two years in the majors and he is 5-6 with 24 saves, a 2.64 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP.

Righties: Eduardo Sanchez: 23-year old Eduardo Sanchez looked really good in his first taste of the majors in 2011 for the Cardinals. He pitched in 26 games (0 starts) for the Cardinals last year and he was 3-1 with 5 saves, a 1.80 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. Sanchez only gave up 14 hits while whiffing 35 batters in his first 30 innings of his major league career, as he is pretty darn nasty.

Lance Lynn: 24-year old Lance Lynn is a pitcher on the rise. He pitched in 18 games (2 starts) for the Cardinals last year and he was 1-1 with 1 save, a 3.12 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP. Lynn only gave up 25 hits in his first 34 2/3 innings in the majors last year while whiffing 40 batters and walking 11. Lynn has control of all of his nasty pitches, but he will have to bide his time pitching out of the bullpen until a spot opens up in the starting rotation.

Mitchell Boggs: 28-year old Mitchell Boggs pitched in 51 games (0 starts) for the Cardinals last year and he was 2-3 with 4 saves, a 3.56 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. He has now pitched in 136 games (15 starts) in his first four years in the majors and he is 9-11 with 4 saves, a 4.34 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP. Boggs will likely need a good spring to open the 2012 season in the Cardinals’ bullpen.

Scott Linebrink: 35-year old Scott Linebrink brings a lot of veteran know how to the Cardinals’ bullpen. He pitched in 64 games (0 starts) for the Braves last year and he was 4-4 with 1 save, a 3.64 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. Linebrink has now pitched in 607 games (6 starts) in his first 12 years in the majors and he is 42-31 with 8 saves, a 3.51 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. Linebrink will be in spring training on a minor league deal, so he’s going to have to pitch well to make the team.

Kyle McClellan: 27-year old Kyle McClellan will likely be the long man in the Cardinals’ pen in 2012, unless they deal him. He pitched in 43 games (17 starts) for the Cardinals last year and he was 12-7 with a 4.19 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. McClellan has now pitched in 245 games (17 starts) in his first four years with the Cardinals and he is 19-22 with 6 saves, a 3.61 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP.

Brandon Dickson: 27-year old Brandon Dickson pitched in 4 games (1 start) for the Cardinals in his first taste of the majors last year and he was 0-0 with a 3.24 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP. He also pitched in 26 games (25 starts) in AAA-ball last year and he was 8-9 with a 3.95 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. Dickson might have a good shot of landing the long reliever job in the Cardinals’ bullpen, if they are successful in dealing Kyle McClellan.

Lefties: Marc Rzepczynski: 26-year old Marc Rzepczynski pitched in 28 games (0 starts) for the Cardinals last year and he was 0-3 with a 3.97 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. He pitched in 71 games (0 starts) overall last year for the Cardinals & Blue Jays and he was 2-6 with a 3.34 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. Rzepczynski has now pitched in 96 games (23 starts) in his first three years in the majors and he is 8-14 with a 3.99 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. I look for him to do a really solid job for the Cardinals in 2012.

J.C. Romero: 35-year old J.C. Romero will likely be the Cardinals’ #2 lefty in the pen in 2012. He pitched in 36 games (0 starts) for the Rockies & Phillies last year and he was 1-0 with a 4.01 ERA and a 1.74 WHIP. Romero has now pitched in 664 games (22 starts) in his first 13 years in the majors and he is 34-28 with 7 saves, a 4.07 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP.

R.J. Swindle: 28-year old R.J. Swindle is a big time longshot in this competition. He pitched in 39 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball for the Rays last year and he was 2-0 with 1 save, a 4.15 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP. Swindle last pitched in the show back in 2009 with the Brewers. He has now pitched in 9 games (0 starts) in his first two years in the majors and he is 0-0 with a 12.71 ERA and a 2.38 WHIP.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE BULLPEN IN 2012: B+