Jobu’s MLB Rankings for 2010: St. Louis Cardinals

2009 Campaign: 91-71, 1^st place, NL Central

St. Louis has become a constant on the MLB postseason scene, and 2009 was another good year for King Albert and company. Unfortunately, a lackluster postseason series against the Dodgers, coupled with a well-timed Matt Holliday gaffe, ended any chance the Cards had at making a run at the title.

Key Arrivals: RHP Brad Penny (FA)

Key Departures: OF Rick Ankiel (FA), RHP Joel Piniero (FA), 3B Mark DeRosa (FA), 3B Troy Glaus (FA), INF Khalil Greene (FA), RHP John Smoltz (FA), Todd Wellemeyer (FA)

2010 Outlook: You may take a look at the departures above and wonder just how St. Louis is going to keep itself in the playoff hunt. But Tony LaRussa has a habit of pulling no-name outfielders out of nowhere and turning them into productive pieces of the puzzle (I’m looking at you, Rick Ankiel and Skip Schumaker). It’ll no doubt be the same again this year, as LaRussa moves Schumaker into second base to further develop Brendan Ryan in the outfield. And let’ not underestimate the importance of Chris Carpenter’s healthy return for (hopefully) a full season; that will add some excellent depth to a rotation that also includes Adam Wainwright, Kyle Lohse, and the newly acquired Brad Penny. But we all know the real reason why St. Louis will win the division again this year and make another postseason run: because Albert Pujols won’t allow otherwise.

Jobu Says: The Cardinals have good recipe for success: brains (LaRussa), brawn (Albert), and a division full of crap. Four Jobus means pencil them in for October.

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