ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (86-76), 2ND, NL CENTRAL
uSeason snapshot: Though they weren’t eliminated until the final day of the season, the Cardinals’ majors-leading streak of five consecutive postseason appearances was snapped when they finished one game behind the San Francisco Giants for the second National League wild card. The Cardinals’ three-year run as NL Central champions also ended. A long list of injuries was difficult to overcome — righthander missed the season after having Tommy John elbow surgery, right-hander was plagued by shoulder woes and rookie All-Star shortstop and left fielder
both missed long stretches because of broken thumbs. A year after setting a franchise record with 48 saves,
was removed from the closer’s role in early July because of control problems. uWhat now: General manager
says improving the defense will be his main priority in the offseason. Acquiring a center fielder will be at the top of his list; that would enable
to move to a corner outfield spot. The Cardinals also need an upgrade at third base, where veteran fielding was awful. If the Cardinals cannot find that help in free agency, they might have to trade a young pitcher; Wacha and Rosenthal are the most likely candidates.
uFree agent focus: The Cardinals announced last weekend that they would not exercise the $17 million option in Holliday’s contract for next season and instead would pay him a $1 million buyout. While it once seemed a lock that the Cardinals would pick up left-hander $11.5 million option, that no longer seems certain after he lost his rotation spot in September. Right-handed reliever Jordan
$5.25 million option won’t be exercised after he missed the entire season because of a shoulder injury. The Cardinals would like to re-sign first baseman-outfielder but they are unlikely to pursue right-hander uProspects Right-handers
and were both in the rotation in the heat of the pennant race and are likely to begin next season with St. Louis. Flame-throwing Reyes was 4-1 with a 1.57 ERA in 12 games, including five starts, and the 22-year-old racked up 52 strikeouts in 46 innings. Weaver, 23, was 1-4 with a 5.70 ERA in nine games, including eight starts, but the Cardinals are high on his potential.
John Perrotto