Top Five Cardinal Stories of 2008...

Happy New Year to all of you in Redbird Land! I want to take a moment to all of you who have contributed to this blog over the course of the year, either through comments, suggestions or just plain keeping up with my rants. May 2009 bring much success to the Cardinals, and to all of you and your loved ones.

With those pleasantries out of the way, the United Cardinal Bloggers are putting together a year-end look at their Top Cardinal Stories of 2008. If you'd like links to the other blog postings, Daniel at C70 At The Bat will be updating the list of links as they got posted. So here my Top Five Cardinal Stories from this year:

1) Albert Pujols Wins Most Valuable Player...

Under normal circumstances I wouldn't say that a player's individual honor merits recognition as top story affecting a franchise. But recognition of Pujols as MVP, in my opinion, could have longer-lasting effects on the Cardinals.

While Pujols has generally said the right things in those years he's been snubbed by MVP voters, I really believe that recognition as one of the greats of the game is important to him. And the more accolades Pujols receives as a Redbird, the more likely he will be to recognize his current and potential place amongst Cardinal HOF legends.

In 2011, when his current contract expires (assuming an extension is not agreed upon before then), Pujols will be faced with a decision as to whether to remain a Cardinal or move on to a potentially bigger and brighter stage. If Pujols continues to rack up postseason awards as a Redbird, doesn't that factor into his decision? Conversely, if Pujols perennially finishes in second place in MVP voting to players in bigger markets (e.g., Philadelphia, L.A., NY or Chicago), wouldn't he at least be tempted to move on to a large market franchise where he might get the respect he deserves?

2) The Ascension of Perez and Motte...

Certainly the 2009 season will tell us a lot more than we already know regarding the potential of Chris Perez and Jason Motte. That being said, I believe we've already seen enough from these two players to know that they represent one or both of the following: (a) live, young arms that will anchor the Cardinal bullpen for years to come (though their specific roles in the bullpen are yet-to-be determined; and/or (b) live, young arms that could be a centerpiece of significant trades that will improve the St. Louis ballclub. Either way, the Redbirds are fortunate that these guys appear to be stepping up.

3) The Apparent Arrival of Colby Rasmus...

One could argue that this is not really a 2008 story, as it remains to be seen whether Rasmus will actually play for the Cardinals in 2009. Outward indications are, however, that the Cardinals are planning for Rasmus to be an every-day player next season. This is why we continue to hear names like Ludwick, Ankiel and Schumaker in various trade rumors.

Colby clearly has the potential to become a cornerstone of the franchise. Look for him to be awarded a single-digit jersey number when he arrives in St. Louis.

4) The Cardinals Unexpected Performance in 2008...

The ability of the Cardinals to stay in the thick of the NL Central race for most of the 2008 season surprised me, as well as most honest/rational observers of the ballclub. I'll admit that I expected the Cardinals to be an also-ran in this division. Instead they finished with 86 wins and, were it not for a pathetic bullpen, this club likely would've outran Milwaukee for the NL Wild Card spot.

Which leads me to my final top story of 2008:

5) The Cardinals' Bullpen Sucked Ass...

Need I elaborate? How disheartening was it to watch this team battle through 7 or 8 innings each night, only to see their leads disappear into the ether again and again? How sickening was it to watch Isringhausen come in and light fires time-after-time by walking batters and serving up softball pitches to opposing hitters? How frustrating was it watch the nightly TLR bullpen juggling act...a manager in search of an answer to an impossible question?

There you have it folks, my top stories. I certainly could've talked about the Carpenter injury story, or the performances of Lohse, Ludwick and/or Ankiel. The managing job turned in by LaRussa. The fact that the Cubs once again choked away their season (that's not technically a Cardinal story--I just like bringing it up). But the stories listed above will do for now.

Here's hoping Mozeliak and the Cardinals will bring us many more great stories in 2009. Have a safe one!

Don

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Today's Musical Selection: "Don't Stop" by InnerPartySystem.

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Update @ 12:30 pm MST on 12/31/08: Brian Fuentes has signed with the Angels. Two years at $17.5 million, with a vesting option for a third year at $9 million. My guess is the vesting option is what made the difference for Fuentes, as the Cards reportedly offered a two-year deal at $16-17 million.

When you consider the Angels also have to give up a draft pick to the Rockies, I really am not disappointed the Cardinals didn't get this deal done. Overpaying for a reliever is about the worst mistake a ballclub can make, in my opinion.

Do the Cards now take a closer look at Hoffman? Or are they prepared to go into 2009 with some combination of Ryan Franklin, Chris Perez and/or Jason Motte in the 9th inning role?

Also, there are reports (unverified as of now) that the Chicago Cubs have signed Aaron Miles to a two-year, $5 million deal. Interesting deal, if it's for real. No way, in this economic market, that Miles is worth that kind of money and two guaranteed years.