Mark Lamping Resigns...

It's the big news today, Cardinal fans. Miklasz is reporting that Cardinals President Mark Lamping has resigned. Lamping apparently is leaving to head up the new football stadium project in New York City. Your new Cardinals President? Bill DeWitt III, son of Cardinals Chairman and owner, Bill DeWitt Jr.

The good news (or bad news, depending on your perspective) is that DeWitt III has already been involved with the team. He has been serving as a Senior VP, and has been heading up the Ballpark Village project. Miklasz has a more in-depth look at DeWitt III here.

Finally, Miklasz also downplays any "conspiracy theories" that Lamping was fired or forced out, or that the team is for sale.
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Today's Musical Pick: "Phantom Limb" by The Shins.

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On the field, Juan Gonzalez's recent abdominal strain is putting him at a disadvantage in the Cardinals' outfield derby. Derrick Goold has more at the Post-Dispatch. From Goold:

[LaRussa] and trainer Barry Weinberg called the strain a minor thing and "nothing big." But any physical ailment is a potential problem for a player with questionable health, even one who aced the camp-opening physical, according to a team doctor.

La Russa said he doesn't want to go north with a player who is a game or two away from the disabled list. Gonzalez has a minor-league contract, but he evaded any question about his willingness to start his comeback there.

Let's take a quick look at the Cardinals potential Opening Day roster. Assuming the Cards keep 12 pitchers on the 25-man roster, that leaves room for 13 position players (how do you like THAT math??!!). Guaranteed spots go to:

• Molina
• LaRue
• Pujols
• Glaus
• Ankiel
• Duncan
• Miles
• Kennedy

So that leaves about five roster spots "open." Right now, based on recent comments from LaRussa, you'd have to believe that Caesar Izturis will at least get month or so to prove himself. Though as I mentioned yesterday, I'm advocating for an outright release.

Now we're down to four roster spots. Ludwick probably gets in, just based on solid performance in 2007 and the fact that he's done nothing to hurt himself this spring. So now we're down to three spots. Here are the remaining candidates:

• Juan Gonzalez
• Colby Rasmus
• Brendan Ryan
• Joe Mather
• Skip Schumaker
• Brian Barton

I believe Schumaker makes this team. He's handled the leadoff spot well, and he's a plus defender. He's also out of options, and cannot be sent back to the minors. This leaves the Cards with two open roster spots.

Now it's just pure conjecture on my part, but if everything plays out as described above, I believe the remaining two spots go to Barton and Ryan. Barton is a Rule 5 draft pick and must be offered back to the Indians if he doesn't stay on the Cards major league roster for the entire season. Barton is right-handed and fast, and gives LaRussa a nice platoon option at the leadoff spot. Schumaker against righties, and Barton vs. lefties. Ryan gives LaRussa another right-handed bat, and serves as a second utility infielder with the ability to play, shortstop, second base and, most importantly, third base.

Of course I'd like to See Rasmus and/or Mather on this team, and I believe Rasmus will join the big club later this year, but the Cards are not anxious to start the clock running on either player's major league service time.

So there's my two cents. Feel free to contribute some sense of your own.
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March 14 Game Update @ 1:25 pm MST: As I write, the game is in the eighth inning. Pitching has been pretty good across the board for the Cards today. Clayton Mortensen pitched three innings of scoreless, one-hit ball before giving up a 2-run homerun to Dodgers catcher Russel Martin in the fourth inning of today's game. Since that point, Springer, Villone, and Randy Flores pitched shutout ball. Jaime Garcia pitched a scoreless seventh inning, but gave up a run in the eighth (his first earned run this spring).

Rick Ankiel is your hitting star today. The Rickster is 2-3 with a pair of HRs and all four Cardinals RBIs thus far. Game is tied 4-4 heading into the ninth inning.

By the way, Cesar Izturis committed another error today, his fifth of the spring.

Update @ 1:50 pm MST. The Cards come from behind for a 6-4 victory. Rasmus continues to get on base. In two plate appearances today, Rasmus walked twice and scored a run. Rasmus' spring batting average stands at .286. His OBP coming into today's game was .459(!), and he was tied for the Grapefruit League lead in walks with 9(!). Oh, and his slugging percentage of .571 isn't too shabby either. This kid is an incredibly selective hitter...can't wait to see him hitting in front of Pujols (either in the leadoff or #2 spot).