Cardinals SS

[Pauly]

With the news that Rafael Furcal has been shut down, the consensus among the writers I can find on google is that Pete Kozma will open the season at SS for the Cards. I cant find a great scouting report...anyone have an idea of what to make of this guy? Power? Speed? Neither? He did hit .333 in 72 AB at the end of last year, but who knows what that means....and he played big in the playoffs, but none of the minor league numbers bear this out.

Any chance this injury opens up a spot for Kolten Wong on the opening day roster? Im not sure if he can play SS or not, but the scouting reports show him as a good fielder.

[DJBeasties]

With the news that Rafael Furcal has been shut down, the consensus among the writers I can find on google is that Pete Kozma will open the season at SS for the Cards. I cant find a great scouting report...anyone have an idea of what to make of this guy? Power? Speed? Neither? He did hit .333 in 72 AB at the end of last year, but who knows what that means....and he played big in the playoffs, but none of the minor league numbers bear this out.

Any chance this injury opens up a spot for Kolten Wong on the opening day roster? Im not sure if he can play SS or not, but the scouting reports show him as a good fielder.

He's a warm body in a good lineup so he has that going for him. I don't think there's much see here though.

[harmon]

This is a very sore spot with Cards fans, especially when it was anticipated months in advance that Furcal was a likely no-go. Basically nobody in the system with upside to play SS. Wong is 2B only. Other teams have dangled potential viable SS, but they're all looking to tap into the Cards strong collection of pitchers. Hard for the Cards to move Rosenthal, MIller, etc.

Rumors have abounded about a possible fit with the Rockies for Tulo, involving Adams (Helton replacement) and pitching, but Tulo's salary is obviously a sticking point, especially with Wainwrights contract not yet settled.

[dave_dewit]

...the consensus among the writers I can find on google is that Pete Kozma will open the season at SS for the Cards.

The "Kozma Sutra" can handle any position.

[Frank]

The "Kozma Sutra" can handle any position.

That's pretty damn funny actually.....

[BuckyBuckner]

Couldn't Descalso slide over the SS and Wong play 2B? MLB Depth Charts has Cedeno playing SS but I guess it's too early to say for sure.

[james33]

I'd be surprised to see Wong make the opening day roster, as the Cardinals will want to roster two guys who can play SS.

The most likely two shortstops to make the roster would be Ronny Cedeno and Kozma. I'd guess Kozma would start, but it could end up being Cedeno.

Ryan Jackson would have an outside chance at making the team over Kozma. Jackson is arguably a better hitter than Kozma or Cedeno, so keep an eye on him being called up if Kozma and Cedeno struggle.

Don't get me "wong"; Wong is certainly a better prospect than Jackson for 2014 and beyond.

[james33]

Couldn't Descalso slide over the SS and Wong play 2B? MLB Depth Charts has Cedeno playing SS but I guess it's too early to say for sure.

Possible if Wong tears it up in spring training. But that would be an offense-first approach, and the Cardinals have so much offense elsewhere on the diamond, I'd be really surprised if Cards Manager Mike Matheny went this way.

[Stephen]

Dee Gordon for Michael Wacha or Carlos Martinez. Make it so!

Why not package Dee Gordon with Aaron Harang and just get Oscar Taveras. :-P

[Pauly]

Couldn't Descalso slide over the SS and Wong play 2B? MLB Depth Charts has Cedeno playing SS but I guess it's too early to say for sure.

I thought Carpenter was going to start at second...guess not?

[james33]

I thought Carpenter was going to start at second...guess not?

It is still Descalso vs. Carpenter for the 2B job, with Descalso still favored b/c of defense/experience. But don't give up on Carpenter, as he's the main backup at 1B and 3B, and effectively the main backup at RF and LF, since Craig would move to RF and LF. Carpenter will get plenty of at bats.

Derrick Goold (Cardinals beat writer for the STL newspaper) had an exhaustive chat yesterday, much of it about the SS position. Cliffs Notes version: Kozma most likely to win the job over Ronny Cedeno.

http://live.stltoday.com/Event/Cardinals_chat_with_Derrick_Goold_3?Page=0

[cavebird]

I get that Carpenter gets plenty of AB's, but none of his positions help unless he gets five games at 2B.

[Moonlight J]

and Furcal is now shut down for 2013 as he needs TJ surgery

[revo]

and Furcal is now shut down for 2013 as he needs TJ surgery

Has a "rehab instead of TJ surgery" ever worked out?

[The Dane]

Agreed that Wong probably does not make the Opening Day roster, but if he continues to hit well on the farm, it probably bodes very well for him to make it up sooner rather than later, especially if they settle with Kozma/Descalso in their MI and their offense struggles. I can easily see a scenario where Craig is injured, forcing Carpenter to a corner and them playing Kozma/Descalso everyday. That is not enough offense to compete. They'll bring Wong up for his bat.