The Cardinals' strength is outfield depth, which would be further accentuated if 22-year-old center fielder Colby Rasmus is deemed ready for prime time and if Chris Duncan and Rick Ankiel have recovered fully from injuries.
The club also seems fortunate to have some third base coverage, although it is untested at the big-league level. Starter Troy Glaus is sidelined for at least a month into the season after having right shoulder surgery, opening the door for David Freese, who hit .306 with 91 RBIs last year at Class AAA Memphis, and Brett Wallace, the team's top draft pick in 2008. Starting pitching could either be a strength or a weakness, depending on how right-hander Chris Carpenter, who hasn't won a game in two seasons, rebounds from the arm problems that plagued him in 2007-08. If Carpenter is fine, the Cardinals won't have to go looking for a starter, with right-handers Adam Wainwright, Kyle Lohse, Todd Wellemeyer and Joel Pineiro already in tow.
A bullpen that suffered 31 blown saves and as many losses last season will be under the most scrutiny of any aspect of the club. The sentiment in the organization seems to be that right-handers Chris Perez and Jason Motte both have the stuff to be closers.
The problem is that manager Tony La Russa and pitching coach Dave Duncan fear that day has not yet come. They hope for some veteran help, while general manager John Mozeliak is willing to go with Perez and possibly Motte in the late innings.
Even though 2008 Most Valuable Player Albert Pujols had a nerve transposed near his right elbow, there isn't any question in his mind -- or in the mind of many others -- that he will be ready for full-tilt duty by the end of spring training, if not earlier.
One other item that bears watching is the vacancy at second base, as Adam Kennedy was released Feb. 9. The club had already non-tendered Aaron Miles, then watched as Miles and Felipe Lopez exited as free agents.
Outfielders Skip Schumaker and Joe Mather have been advised to bring infield mitts, too.
The 2006 World Series champions are trying to avoid missing the postseason for a third consecutive year for the first time since 1997-99.
WHERE, WHEN: Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter, Fla. First exhibition game is Feb. 25 against the Marlins.
TOP CANDIDATE TO SURPRISE: OF Chris Duncan is coming back from injury and can't be forgotten. If Duncan is healthy -- he had disk surgery in his neck -- he might be able to recapture his power of 2006 and 2007, when he hit 22 and 21 homers as a part-time player.
TOP CANDIDATE TO DISAPPOINT: OF Ryan Ludwick set the bar high last season when he hit .299 with 37 homers and 113 RBIs in his first season as a regular. If he hits .280 with 25 homers and 90 RBIs, is that necessarily a bad season?
AUTHORITY FIGURES: Tony La Russa, in his 14th season with the club, is the Cardinals' top manager in wins at 1,141 and No. 3 in baseball history at 2,461. His Cardinals teams invariably reflect his no-nonsense, grind-it-out style, and he has little use for players who don't have that attitude. At this stage, every year could be his last year with the Cardinals.
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