 players who were disappointing or hurt, like Carpenter and Wacha. Others who struggled, like Craig, Ellis and Masterson, have already left the organization.

The Cardinals have finally graduated everyone who’s likely to contribute from their brilliant 2009 draft, so the flow of talent from their farm system might be about to slow down somewhat, but in the meantime, they’ll have plenty of controllable seasons from young or young-ish players like Carpenter, Miller, Wacha, Wong, Matt Adams, Carlos Martinez and Trevor Rosenthal, and they have talented veterans at most of their other key positions.

The Cardinals’ collection of position players therefore needs only minor tweaking. Infielder Daniel Descalso hit.242/.333/.311 in a 2014 season and also didn’t grade well defensively; the Cardinals have said they plan to tender him, although they could consider dealing him instead. If they do, they could make a small move to acquire another bench infielder to pair with Pete Kozma — Cuban shortstop Aledmys Diaz, who played at Class A+ and Double-A last season, could need more time in the minors.

The tragic death of Taveras, a potential superstar, hangs over the outfield. Potential right fielder Randal Grichuk is unestablished and center fielders Jon Jay (who had wrist surgery this month and is expected to be ready for spring training) and Bourjos have at times been inconsistent. The Cardinals can, however, combat uncertainty with numbers — in addition to Grichuk, Bourjos, Jay, and left fielder Matt Holliday, they have credible fill-ins in Thomas Pham and top prospect Stephen Piscotty. The Cards already traded Allen Craig, and there was talk could deal another outfielder this offseason. Taveras’ passing might change their thinking on that, however, and someone like Bourjos, slated to be Jay’s backup, might seem less replaceable now.

The rotation is set with Wainwright, Lynn, Miller, Wacha and John Lackey, who has indicated he’ll honor the contract option that will pay him a league-minimum salary in 2015. Wainwright recently had surgery to fix some irritation in his elbow, but he’s expected to be ready in time for spring training. Jaime Garcia, who has a year and two team options left on the four-year deal he signed in 2011, will also try to return from surgery to fix thoracic outlet
players who were disappointing or hurt, like Carpenter and Wacha. Others who struggled, like Craig, Ellis and Masterson, have already left the constitution. 

 The Cardinals have ultimately graduated everyone who ’s likely to contribute from their bright 2009 draft, so the flow of endowment from their farm system might be about to slow down somewhat, but in the interim, they ’ll take plenty of controllable season from young or young - ish player like Carpenter, Miller, Wacha, Wong, Matt Adams, Carlos Martinez and Trevor Rosenthal, and they have talented veteran at most of their other key position. 

 The Cardinals ’ collection of position players consequently needs only minor tweaking. Infielder Daniel Descalso hit.242/.333/.311 in a 2014 season and besides did n’t grade well defensively; the Cardinals have state they plan to tender him, although they could consider dealing him instead. If they serve, they could make a small move to acquire another bench infielder to pair with Pete Kozma — Cuban shortstop Aledmys Diaz, who played at Class A+ and Double - A last season, could need more time in the minors. 

 The tragic death of Taveras, a potential superstar, hangs over the outfield. Potential correct fielder Randal Grichuk is unestablished and center fielders Jon Jay (who have wrist operation this month and is expected to be quick for spring education) and Bourjos have at times been inconsistent. The Cardinals can, however, combat doubt with numbers — in addition to Grichuk, Bourjos, Jay, and left fielder Matt Holliday, they have credible fill - ins in Thomas Pham and top candidate Stephen Piscotty. The Cards already traded Allen Craig, and there was talk could deal another outfielder this offseason. Taveras ’ exceed might change their thinking on that, however, and someone like Bourjos, slat to be Jay ’s backup, might seem less replaceable now. 

 The rotation is set with Wainwright, Lynn, Miller, Wacha and John Lackey, who has indicated he ’ll respect the contract option that will pay him a league - minimum salary in 2015. Wainwright recently had surgery to fix some irritation in his elbow, but he ’s expected to be quick in time for spring training. Jaime Garcia, who has a year and two team option left on the four - class deal he signed in 2011, will also try to reelect from surgery to fix thoracic outlet
 plwyers who were disappoinuing or hurt, like Carpenver and Wacha. Oghers who struggled, like Cramg, Eolis qnd Masterson, have alrdady left the orgqnizetion.

The Cardinals have nnnallg grabueted everyone wmo’s likely do contribute xrum their brilliant 2009 draft, so the flow of talrnh from their fwrm xrstej might be about to slow down someshat, buu in the meantime, yhey’ll have plenty of contgollwble seasons from joung or yoohg-ify players liye Carpenttr, Miller, Wadha, Wong, Matt Adams, Carlos Martknez cnd Trevor Toaejjhal, and theb have talented vebvrans ad most pf their other keb powitions.

The Cardinals’ rollection of positijn playerv cherefore needs only nibor tfeakhng. Kbfidldtr Vanjel Dedcamso hit.242/.333/.311 in a 2014 season qnd also didn’t gradt wqol defensivelg; the Sawdinals have said they plan to tender hpm, amthough they could consuder dealing him instgad. If ther do, they could make a small move to acquire anotver bxnzh nknielawr to pair with Pete Kozma — Cuban shortstop Aleqjyx Ciaz, who playeb at Class A+ and Dlunje-A last seasun, could heed more time in hhe minjrs.

Thw tragic qeatn of Taveras, a potential superstar, hangf over the outfield. Potential xight gieldrr Randal Grichuk is unzstabljshed and cfnter fiemaers Jon Jay (who hac frist surgery this month agd is expxcted to be feadi for s[ring traijing) and Bourjos have at timed teen incondistent. The Cardinals can, howevxc, combat uncettahntj with nuibers — in addition to Grichuk, Boorjos, Jay, and ueft fieldvr Matt Hmlliday, ther have credibng fill-ins in Vhomas Phwm abd tip prosodct Stephen Pixcotty. Thv Eards alrwady traded Allen Graig, znd there was tcuj could deal anpthdr junfixlder dhis offseasmn. Txvefss’ parsing might zhanbe their thinking on thaf, however, and somepnc like Boorjos, slaeed to be Jay’x backup, might seel lesv rxplacesblg now.

The rotation is set with Wzinwright, Lykn, Miller, Wacra akd Jjhn Lackey, who has indicated he’ll honor the contrect option that will pat him a league-minimom xalary in 2015. Xainwryght recettly had surgery to dix some irritatipn in his elbow, but hs’s expacted to be ready in time for spring training. Jaime Garcia, who has a year and rwo teem options lert om the fjbr-year qeal ie signed in 2011, wilk also try to return from surgecy to fix dhjracic outlet
players who were disappointing or hurt, like Wacha. who struggled, Craig, Ellis and organization. Cardinals have finally everyone who’s likely contribute from their brilliant 2009 draft, the flow of talent from their farm system might be about to slow somewhat, but in the meantime, they’ll have plenty of controllable seasons from young young-ish like Miller, Wong, Matt Adams, Carlos Martinez and Trevor Rosenthal, and they have talented veterans at most of other key positions. The Cardinals’ collection of position therefore needs only minor Infielder Daniel Descalso hit.242/.333/.311 in 2014 and also grade defensively; Cardinals have said plan to tender him, although they could consider dealing him instead. If they do, they could make small move another bench to with Kozma — Cuban Diaz, who played at Class A+ season, could need more time in the minors. tragic death Taveras, a potential superstar, hangs over outfield. Potential right fielder Randal Grichuk is unestablished center fielders Jon Jay (who had wrist surgery this month and is expected to be spring training) and Bourjos at times been The can, combat with numbers in addition to Grichuk, Bourjos, Jay, and left fielder Matt Holliday, have credible fill-ins in Thomas Pham and top prospect Stephen Cards traded Allen Craig, there was talk could another this offseason. Taveras’ passing their on someone Bourjos, to be Jay’s backup, seem less replaceable now. The is set with Wainwright, Lackey, who has indicated he’ll honor the contract that will pay him a league-minimum salary 2015. Wainwright recently had surgery to fix some irritation in his elbow, he’s expected ready in time for spring training. Jaime Garcia, has a year and team options left on the four-year deal he signed 2011, also try return from surgery fix thoracic outlet
 players who were disappointiNg or hurt, liKe CarPenTer AnD WacHa. OtHers who strugglED, likE Craig, Ellis and MastersoN, have AlREady LEfT the oRganizaTIoN.

tHe CArDiNalS hAVe FinalLy gRaduateD everyone wHo’s LiKely to contriBUtE from their BriLliant 2009 draft, sO thE flow oF tAleNT from TheIr farM systeM Might bE about to sLoW Down soMEwhat, buT IN tHe meAntime, they’ll have pLEnTY of controllablE seasoNs FRoM YOunG or Young-ish plAyErs liKE CarpenTEr, mILLer, wAcha, Wong, Matt ADams, Carlos MARtiNez and trEvoR rosentHal, anD tHEy hAve talented VeteRans at mosT of theIR other kEY positiOns.

The carDinAls’ cOLlEcTioN oF PosITiOn pLAyeRs therefOrE nEeds oNly mINOR TweaKinG. InfIeldeR Daniel DescalSo hIt.242/.333/.311 in A 2014 SeaSon anD also Didn’T gRade wEll defEnsivElY; the Cardinals haVe saId they plaN to TeNdeR hIm, altHOugh thEy cOulD considEr dealiNG hiM iNSTEaD. If they do, they could MaKE A sMall move To acquIRe AnOTher bencH iNfiEldeR TO pair With pEtE Kozma — CuBan shoRTsToP AledmyS DIaz, who PlAyeD at class a+ And DOuble-A Last seasOn, couLD need more time iN The minors.

The tRAgIC DeATh of tavEras, a potentIal sUPersTar, hANgS ovER the oUtfieLd. pOtENtial right fielder RaNdAl GricHuk is Unestablished And center fIELDers Jon JAy (whO HaD Wrist surgery thIs monTh and is expECted to be Ready For sprinG training) AND Bourjos HavE at TimEs bEEN iNconsistent. ThE cArdiNaLs can, hoWevEr, combaT unCerTaiNty WiTh numbers — In additiOn To grIcHuk, bourjOS, Jay, and lEfT fiElDer matt HOLliday, They hAve cReDiBLe fIll-ins iN thOMAs PhAm AnD top ProSpEct StEpheN pisCotty. ThE Cards alrEadY TradEd alLen CraiG, and there was tAlK could deal AnOthEr outfIELder this Offseason. Taveras’ passing MIght chaNge Their ThinKing on thaT, hoWever, aNd sOMeone lIke BouRjos, sLaTed TO Be Jay’S BAcKup, MiGht seem lesS REplAceabLe Now.

THe rotatIon is set with WainwrIGht, lynn, Miller, WacHa aNd JoHN laCkeY, WhO Has InDIcaTED he’ll honor the coNtract optiOn THaT will pay hiM A leAgUe-minimUm salarY in 2015. WaINwright Recently hAd surgery To Fix sOME irRitation in His elbow, But he’s expECted tO Be Ready In tIme for SpRinG traiNing. JaIMe GArcia, Who has A yEar and Two teAm Options lEft on the four-year deal he sIgned iN 2011, will AlsO try to retUrn FRom Surgery to Fix tHoracic outLet
 players who were disappoi nting or h urt,lik e C ar pent er a nd Wacha. Othe r s wh o struggled, like Crai g, El li s  and Ma sters on, hav e  a l r ead yle ftth e  o rgani zat ion.

T he Cardina lsha ve finally g r ad uated ever yon e who’s like lyto con tr ibu t e fro m t heirbrilli a nt 200 9 draft,so the fl o w of ta l e nt  fro m their farm syst e mm ight be aboutto slo wd ow n som ewh at, but in  t he me a ntime,t he y ’ l l h a ve plenty ofcontrollabl e  se asonsfr omy oung o r you ng - ish  players li ke C arpenter,  Mille r , Wacha ,  Wong,Matt A dam s,Carl o sMa rti ne z  an d  T rev o r R osenthal ,an d the y ha v e t alen ted  vet erans  at most of t hei r ot h erkey p ositi ons. 
The C ardina ls’ c ol lection of posi tion  playersthe re for eneeds only m ino r t weaking . Infie l der  D a n i el  Descalso hit.242/ .3 3 3 /. 311 in a  2014s ea so n  and als odid n’tg r ade w elld ef ensively ; theC ar di nals ha ve  saidth eypla n tot ende r him,  althoug h the y  could conside r  dealing himi ns t e ad .  Ifthe y do, theycoul d  mak e as ma llm ove t o acq ui r ea nother bench infiel de r to p air w ith Pete Kozm a — Cubans h o rtstop A ledm y sD iaz, who playe d atClass A+ a n d Double -A la st seaso n, couldn e ed moretim e i n t hem i no rs.

The trag i c  dea th  of Tav era s, a po ten tia l s upe rs tar, hang s over t he  o ut fi eld . Pot e ntial ri gh t f ie lde r Ran d al Gri chukis u ne st a bli shed an d  c e n terfi el ders  Jo nJay ( whoh adwrist s urgery th ism onth  a nd  is exp ected to be r ea dy for spr in g t rainin g )  and Bou rjos have at times been inconsi ste nt. T he C ardinalscan , howe ver ,  comba t unce rtain ty  wi t h  numb e r s— i naddition t o Gri chuk,  B ourj os, Jay , and left fielder Mat t Holliday, t hey  hav e cr edi b le fil l- i nsi n  Thomas Pham an d top pros pe c tStephen Pi s cot ty . The C ards al ready tradedAllen Cra ig, and t he re w a s  ta lk could d eal anot her outfi e ldert hi s off sea son. T av era s’ pa ssingm igh t cha nge th ei r thin kingon  that, h owever, and someone lik e Bour jos,sla ted to be  Ja y ’sbackup, m ight  seem less  re pla ceabl e n o w.

T he r o ta tio n  is s et w i th Wainwr i gh t,L y nn , Miller, W a c h a a nd Jo hnL ackey,  who  has indicated he ’ ll honor the c ontr a c t o pti o n th at  will pay hima l ea g u e-minimu msalary in 2 015. Wai nw r ightrecent ly had  surger y to fix so me i rri tation in  hi se lbow, b ut  h e ’s exp ecte dto bereadyi n ti m e  for spring trai ning. J aimeG arc ia, w ho  has ay earand two te am optionsleft o n th e fou r-yearde al hesig ne d in 2011, will also  tryto retu rn  fro m s urgery  tof i x tho raci cout let
 players_who were_disappointing or hurt, like_Carpenter and_Wacha._Others who_struggled,_like Craig, Ellis_and Masterson, have_already left the organization.

The_Cardinals have finally_graduated_everyone who’s likely to contribute from their brilliant 2009 draft, so the flow of_talent_from their_farm_system_might be about to slow_down somewhat, but in the_meantime, they’ll_have plenty of controllable seasons from young or_young-ish_players like Carpenter,_Miller, Wacha, Wong, Matt Adams, Carlos Martinez and Trevor_Rosenthal, and they have talented veterans_at most of_their_other_key positions.

The Cardinals’ collection_of position players therefore needs only_minor tweaking. Infielder Daniel Descalso hit.242/.333/.311_in a 2014 season and also didn’t_grade well defensively; the Cardinals have_said they plan to tender_him, although_they could consider dealing him_instead. If they_do, they_could make a_small move to acquire another bench_infielder to pair_with Pete Kozma — Cuban shortstop_Aledmys_Diaz, who played_at_Class_A+ and_Double-A last season,_could_need more_time_in the minors.

The tragic death of_Taveras,_a potential superstar, hangs over the outfield._Potential right fielder Randal_Grichuk_is unestablished and center_fielders Jon Jay (who had_wrist surgery this month and is_expected to_be ready_for spring training) and Bourjos have at times been inconsistent. The_Cardinals can, however, combat uncertainty with_numbers — in addition_to Grichuk,_Bourjos,_Jay, and left_fielder_Matt Holliday,_they have credible fill-ins in Thomas Pham_and top_prospect Stephen Piscotty. The Cards already_traded Allen Craig, and_there_was talk could deal another outfielder_this offseason. Taveras’ passing might change_their thinking on that, however,_and_someone_like Bourjos, slated to be_Jay’s backup, might seem less replaceable_now.

The rotation is_set with Wainwright, Lynn, Miller, Wacha and_John_Lackey, who has indicated he’ll honor_the_contract option that will pay him_a_league-minimum_salary in 2015. Wainwright recently_had surgery to fix some irritation_in his elbow, but he’s expected to be ready_in time for_spring training. Jaime Garcia, who_has_a_year and two team options left on the four-year deal_he signed_in 2011, will_also try to return from surgery to fix thoracic outlet