Around the horn: A season preview game

Written by: Bill Ivie on 11th March 2009

Around the horn: A season preview game | read this item

Let’s play a game here with the Cardinals roster as we look forward to the season.

Over the next few days, we will go around the horn and breakdown each position into three categories. First we will look at the current situation, second the ideal situation and finally, what do I classify as my dream situation at that position. Keep in mind the “dream situation” will not be looked at as always being realistic, but with bottomless pockets and a perfect world, it’s what I would do.

That being said, I think we can all agree to throw 2 positions out the window right off the bat. Albert Pujols and Yadi Molina answer all three questions at their respective positions. So, 1b and C are out of our discussion.

Let’s continue around the horn and talk second base.

Current Situation
Well this is a bit muddy. Appears the current situation, and the one I expect to come north with the team, is Skip Shumaker with a Brendan Ryan backup.

Ideal Situation
Seems to me, the ideal situation here is for Skip to suddenly discover that he’s an adequate fielder at the 2-hole and provide a solid leadoff in the lineup.

Dream Situation
What is the “dream situation” at second? Not sure I have a dream second baseman in today’s MLB. I like Dan Uggla, but he seems to be becoming a defensive liability of late. I like Michael Young, but always liked him at short. You can’t discuss second base without discussing Dustin Pedroia, that’s for sure. I guess if you dream big, dream big and put the 2008 AL MVP in this lineup for a while. He fills the needs of defense, leadoff hitter, and overall team player.

Tomorrow we will look at the hot corner.

I look forward to your comments, what would you say about these three categories?

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Topics: 2009 spring training, dustin pedroia, season preview, second baseman, Skip Schumaker

gibson45 says:

March 11, 2009 at 5:17 pm

I agree with your first two categories,,as far as the third,,I wish we would of kept Belliard,,he made some big plays for us down the stretch in ’06
Logan says:

March 12, 2009 at 2:30 pm

Hmm, second base has seemed to be a recurring issue for the Cards. It seems year after year they have trouble finding a steady player for this position. If Skip can find what he is looking for in that spot, it may make a decent to manageable 2nd baseman. However, looking at Card history, my opinion is to find a new one all together. I like Skip, but his position, it seems, it out there in the outfield. I’m just scared that Skip won’t be able to play the spot and Ryan can’t always be there to save him.
Bill Ivie says:

March 12, 2009 at 2:40 pm

The Shumaker transition scares the crap out of me. For those of us that have played, studied, instructed, and/or watched the game intensely knows that second base is not a cake walk. This isn’t just field the ball throw the ball territory, despite what Mr. Hooks says in his post here: http://baseballdigest.com/national-league/cardinals/2009/shumaker-channels-knoblauch/.

We need to address the second base issue. In the process we need to address the lead off issue. A converted outfielder would be great, but it may not work and if it doesn’t, this season may have issues.
gibson45 says:

March 12, 2009 at 4:31 pm

It’s not like he has never played the infield,,but it’s been awhile,,so let’s give him a chance and see how it goes,,afterall,,he can’t be any worse than Duncan in the outfield
Bill Ivie says:

March 12, 2009 at 4:37 pm

Good stuff, gibson45! Duncan is scary anytime he has a glove on!

I don’t recall Shumaker having any infield experience, not professionally at least. And, I played some second base in little league for a few years, but I don’t think the birds are going to call me up anytime soon.