St. Louis Cardinals focused on the possibly unchanged lineup for MLB `13 – MLB News
Despite the outcome of the National League Championship Series which witnessed the team’s ouster, the St. Louis Cardinals do not seem to be bent upon bringing any big change, and all set to keep the bulk of team intact.
It was the San Francisco Giants which came from behind, down with 3-1 lead, and eliminated the Cardinals from the race for the World Series. It was a huge setback for the Cardinals, a club that was defending the championship.
But all said, a club that had seen its legendary manager Tony La Russa taking retirement after last year’s World Series win, and the accomplished slugger Albert Pujols going to another team, the Cardinals were an incontrovertibly competitive sides.
With the new rookie manager Mike Matheny to oversee the managerial responsibility, the club made its presence felt in the National League Central in the second half of the season just when the first half had not gone up to the mark.
With solid show in the second half, they also secured a berth in the Wild Card, and eventually made it to the National League Division Series wherein they defeated the Washington Nationals.
Although the elimination from the National League Championship Series is an altogether different feeling, the focus is on the coming season now.
"It's a totally different feeling," general manager John Mozeliak said."Having said that, I think what we need to be thinking about for 2013 is, 'How can we remain opportunistic and make sure that we don't go backwards?' We have to find a way to keep pushing
this club forward."
But while general manager – for now, seems to keep the momentum intact, as well as the lineup, there are other things to consider.
Interesting to note here is that some senior players are becoming free-agents in the coming year. Among them are Lance Berkman and Kyle Lohse. When asked about the future, Berkman seemed somewhat uncertain.
"It's hard to say right now," Berkman said. "It's something I'm going to think about. And as we get further along in the offseason, I'll just see what transpires. I don't think the knee is going to be a significant factor. What I had done to it, it's not
like any kind of major reconstruction. There's no doubt in my mind that if I want to come back, I can be a good player."
Among other things, it will have to be seen whether or not the Cardinals decide to revamp the lineup.
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