around the horn: the starting rotation
f.a. pickup
sidney ponson
rotation
Chris Carpenter
Mark Mulder
Jeff Suppan
Jason Marquis
Anthony Reyes/Sidney Ponson
the first four spots of the rotation are set. carp is the ace, i expect him to perform close to last year's standards, but there has to be some drop-off from a cy young season. i expect mulder to do better this year than last. first, he should already have a good feel for the nl since he's been in it for a whole year. second, this is his contract year, he's a free agent after this season. he should want to put up good stats so he can get an insane contract (even if he puts up average stats, e.g. 15-10, 3.9 , 180 innings pitched, he probably still get a 4-yr deal worth about 40 mill.). supp is solid, he is also a big game pitcher and keeps the team in every game that he starts. he is also a free agent after this year. Marquis is pretty good if stops being hardheaded (& listens to dunc) & uses his slider 90% of the time and does not fall in love with his breaking pitch. an added bonus is that he is a very good hitter. he will also be a free agent after this year. the fifth spot i would give to Reyes because i believe that he is better than ponson. i think ponson is best suited being in the bullpen.
Biggest concern: 3/5 or possibly 4/5 (depending on who gets the 5th spot in the rotation) will be free agents after this season. if mulder gets to free agency and is not offered an extension before the season is over, im about 80% sure he will not resign with the cardinals. i think walt can sign supp, but would probably have to cough up a couple of extra millions and maybe an extra year. marquis, probably not, he is too expensive & he already cashed in for more than 5 mill. this year, thats too much for a .500 pitcher. ponson, i dont really care about, he's just here to be competition for reyes, and probably be in the bullpen. i would be surprised if he made the rotation this year.
sidney ponson
rotation
Chris Carpenter
Mark Mulder
Jeff Suppan
Jason Marquis
Anthony Reyes/Sidney Ponson
the first four spots of the rotation are set. carp is the ace, i expect him to perform close to last year's standards, but there has to be some drop-off from a cy young season. i expect mulder to do better this year than last. first, he should already have a good feel for the nl since he's been in it for a whole year. second, this is his contract year, he's a free agent after this season. he should want to put up good stats so he can get an insane contract (even if he puts up average stats, e.g. 15-10, 3.9 , 180 innings pitched, he probably still get a 4-yr deal worth about 40 mill.). supp is solid, he is also a big game pitcher and keeps the team in every game that he starts. he is also a free agent after this year. Marquis is pretty good if stops being hardheaded (& listens to dunc) & uses his slider 90% of the time and does not fall in love with his breaking pitch. an added bonus is that he is a very good hitter. he will also be a free agent after this year. the fifth spot i would give to Reyes because i believe that he is better than ponson. i think ponson is best suited being in the bullpen.
Biggest concern: 3/5 or possibly 4/5 (depending on who gets the 5th spot in the rotation) will be free agents after this season. if mulder gets to free agency and is not offered an extension before the season is over, im about 80% sure he will not resign with the cardinals. i think walt can sign supp, but would probably have to cough up a couple of extra millions and maybe an extra year. marquis, probably not, he is too expensive & he already cashed in for more than 5 mill. this year, thats too much for a .500 pitcher. ponson, i dont really care about, he's just here to be competition for reyes, and probably be in the bullpen. i would be surprised if he made the rotation this year.
