2036 St Louis Cardinals

[Porter]

Catcher: Robert Speiker, 27-- He's just a stop gap right now and is actually better than incumbent Marcus Hooper. Clearly a weakness on a team right now.
Last Season: .256, 0 HR, 27 RBIs in 215 AB

1st Base: David George, 26-- David is the biggest acquisition in the offseason. Provides 40 HR power and is capable of putting a MVP season. Can also play 3B if shifting is needed for Marinez not resigning.
Last Season: .293, 40 HR, 117 RBIs

2nd Base: Steven Hill, 26-- Hill could end up being the best of this young core of players. Capable of 30-30 seasons, efficient basestealer (33 of 36 last season). Elite defensively and great contact.
Last Season: .286, 33 HR, 121 RBI, 104 R, 33 SB

3rd Base: Jacob Marinez, 29-- He's more of a statue defensively range wise and doesn't hit for a ton of contact. He takes pitches and has solid power. Destroys lefties.
Last Season: .253, 26 HR, 103 RBIs

Shortstop: Donald Starrett, 28-- Only playing short because Steven Hill is playing at 2B. The most dangerous leadoff hitter in the game can hit could contact, power and has blazing speed. He's virtually a lock for 20 HR and 60 SBs.
Last Season: .257, 29 HR, 109 RBI, 105 R, 65 SBs

Left Field: Vincent Conaway, 23-- Great vs righties, non-existent vs lefties. Should be a solid #2 hitter vs rigthies. Takes a ton of walks and is a solid base stealer.
Last Season: .299, 2 HR, 75 RBIs, .390 OBP, 42 SB

Robert Million, 28-- Great platoon guy to go with Conaway at LF. He's servicable vs rigthies, better than Conaway vs LHP. Great glove.
Last Season: .276, 5 HR, 51 RBIs

Center Field: Angelo Carranza, 34-- Angelo is getting up there in years but is still remarkably productive. Great defensively, decent contact and eye. Might be his final year for the Cards.
Last Season: .327, 18 HRs, 79 RBIs, .401 OBP

Right Field: Robert Shaul, 24-- He is still getting his feet wet in the majors. Needs to fill out his potential and could be a solid guy in the 6 spot of the lineup. Plus power potential, solid everywhere else.
Last Season: .279, 24 HR, 66 RBIs, 97 R, 37 SBs

Bench: Marcus Hooper, 33-- Only because Speiker won't play 162 games.

Bench: Daniel Tsan, 30-- Probably won't reach his potential but has pop off the bench.

Bench: Patrick Hocking, 27-- He gets the nod because he's the only other guy that is capable of hitting anything and play a middle infield position


Pitching

Ace: Hernando Martinez, 25-- Martinez has a sub 3 career ERA. He has pinpoint control and bat breaking movement on his pitching. He should be a long time Cardinal and the heir apparent to Juan Dalmau for a Cy Young candidate.
Last Season: 22-5, 2.39 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 154 K, 29 BB

#2: Joe Arnold, 30-- Very similar to Martinez in relation of using his control and movement to get hitters out. Should be a solid #2 in a potentially elite rotation.
Last Season: 14-11, 3.43 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 136 K, 37 BB

#3: Bill Capra, 29-- This wasn't the intention when I signed him to that big contract. He's been great but his late season slump does bring some concern, not much though.
Last Season: 14-11, 3.36 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 167 K, 56 BB

#4: Todd Crissman, 24-- This is the year he has to get closer to his potential. Virtually at the same ratings the last 2 seasons, he gets the fast track treatment.
Last Season: Rookie Year this season.

#5: Britt Urbanek, 33-- He's this league's Wild Thing. Has a 11 K/9 and walks more people than an elevator can hold. Doesn't allow many hits and is effective.
Last Season: 16-7, 3.57 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 208 K, 108 BB, 149 H in 194.1 IP

Mopup #2: David Figueroa, 31-- He was left down after being acquired from BAL last season. This year he can either become the #5 starter or a innings eater in the pen.
Last Season: 9-10, 5.48 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 64 Ks, 17 BB

Mopup #1/Middle #4: William Cunningham, 30-- Another guy that can eat innings for the Cards. Great stuff, average everything else.
Last Season: Spent Season in AAA for Philly

Middle #3: Chris Younger, 33-- Doesn't have elite stuff but has great control and movement. He gets the job done.
Last Season: 4-1, 1 SV, 3.28 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 51 K, 27 BB

Middle #2: Chester Turner, 29-- Has closed for this team in the past and can do it again if he is needed.
Last Season: 6-2, 3 SV, 4.03 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 67 K, 34 BB

Middle #1/Setup #1: Magglio Gonzalez, 23-- Future closer of this franchise. Knuckleballer has dominant stuff and great control for that type of pitcher.
Last Season: 6-3, 2 SV, 2.18 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 95 K, 27 BB

Setup #2: William Karp, 36-- The future HOF is probably having his final productive season this year. He regressed quite a bit but still got 30 saves.
Last Season: 8-6, 30 SV, 3.27 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 60 K, 7 BB

Closer: Julio Valenzeula, 33-- He gets the keys to the bullpen closer job. He better watch his back. Four guys are have closer or is in line to close if he falters
Last Season: 3-6, 31 SV, 3.53 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 40 K, 26 BB

Outlook: They should challenge MIL for the NL Central title and get the WC. From there its anyone's guess.