Projected 2012 St. Louis Cardinals Lineup (Hola, Carlos)

Nash —  December 23, 2011 — 12 Comments

There is still no replacing the best hitter of his generation. Still, Adam Wainwright will return to an already solid pitching staff and several components of last year’s championship line-up remains intact, while they did add one new face. Hola, Carlos Beltran.

Here’s an updated look at the potential 2012 Cards lineup:

AB Runs HR RBI SB AVG
1 *Rafael Furcal SS 425 72 12 49 16 .283
2 Jon Jay CF 505 79 11 61 16 .293
3 Matt Holiday LF 549 89 29 91 7 .303
4 Lance Berkman 1B 517 92 28 99 3 .309
5 Carlos Beltran RF 498 79 21 81 9 .283
6 David Freese 3B 501 82 19 87 2 .281
7 Yadier Molina C 465 53 12 61 1 .301
8 *Skip Schumaker 2B 488 48 3 42 1 .279

 

Previously I thought we might see the Cardinal’s line-up change a lot while manager Mike Matheny found his right line-up.  After the Cardinals signed Furcal and Beltran I no longer think there will be much shuffling as the Cardinals look posed to compete in the NL central.  Although I stand firm that Furcal is no longer a great lead off option, it seems like that’s where he will end up for the Cardinals.  I am OK with that since the combination of Holliday, Berkman and Beltran in the heart of their order gives them 3 of the more patient, high OBP guys in the league protecting each other.  Clave and I are trying to figure out if the Cardinals may use Beltran in the 2 spot, then Holliday, Berkman and Freese.  It will actually be really interesting to see how their line up rounds out.
AB Runs HR RBI SB AVG
*Tyler Greene IF 255 36 4 31 12 .259
*Daniel Descalso IF 256 28 2 26 8 .268
*Allen Craig OF 305 46 9 59 6 .298

 

Take a look at our first projection without Carlos Beltran. It’s interesting how one signing can change the look of a lineup.

UPDATE: Peek at the comments for a discussion as to if Beltran might hit second. And give us your thoughts in the comments as well!

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Nash

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Nash is an avid sports fan who hails from the East Bay Area and now lives in the great Midwest. Nash has been playing fantasy sports for years, his favorite being fantasy baseball. Probably because it remains the only fantasy sport in which he has not won a league championship...yet.

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  • http://fantasybaseballcrackerjacks.com Clave

    I do think they hit Beltran second (I originally typed “in the two hole” then “number two”, before I deleted those phrases and typed “second”).

    I mean, why not? He certainly has the OBP skills. I see him bring ing more there than as a number 5 hitter, but who knows?

    The more I think about it I also see Descalso getting the bulk of the ABs at 2B. They know what they’ll get with Skip, so why not let Descalso or Greene play into it.

    I also think that Allen Craig gets more ABs. He’s the better bat, but defense becomes the issue there. Can he play CF? Can Beltran? Probably not daily, but with Berkman out of there they at least wouldn’t have to cheat right.

    • Nash

      I completely get what you are saying, heck I’d bat Beltran lead-off over Furcal to be honest and let Furcal hit 5…

      I like this signing a lot, but maybe the Cardinals are regretting trading Rasmus a little bit now?

  • http://fantasybaseballcrackerjacks.com Clave

    Rasmus in center and Beltran in right would’ve been solid.

    In other news, the Cards closer situation is better this season even with similar personnel because LaRussa won’t be over-managing those guys.

    • Nash

      Amen to that!

      However I hate Motte, he is too much a wanna be Brian Wilson for me.

  • http://analysisaroundthehorn.blogspot.com Ryan Sendek

    I think I agree with Nash. Beltran will probably assume the Lance Berkman role this season and bat him 5th, while Holliday and Berkman each get a promotion. My only concern with this acquisition is reduced playing time for Craig once he’s back from the DL.

    Some unanswered questions:
    -Who is the every day 2B? Schumaker or Descalso? (or Craig?)
    -Will Jay play every day once Craig is back from the DL? I don’t trust him or Beltran in CF.

    • Nash

      IF, and this is a big IF, Beltran and Craig can alternate in CF enough that Jon jay can be the 4th out fielder this team is set. regardless of who plays 2b, which by the end of the season should be Greene…

  • http://fantasybaseballcrackerjacks.com Clave

    http://www.rotoworld.com/player/mlb/2706/player?r=1

    I like to say I told you so, so I told you so. :)

    • Nash

      Fine, fine, you were right…lol

      • http://fantasybaseballcrackerjacks.com Clave

        Who knows really? In my heart I want Beltran to still be a viable outfielder who can bat second, but my head knows it’s a long shot. It’s one of those things.

        • Nash

          I hear ya, I was much more optimistic about his knees and such when he was a Giant but now who knows lol

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