Baseball season is finally here

After a long off season, a short spring training and quick work of the Cubs last night we can finally be excited that baseball is back.

This past offseason the Cards were able to take care of a couple of needs when they traded with the Braves for Jason Heyward and Jordan Walden. Heyward is a gold glove caliber outfielder and is able to add some good power to the lineup. Walden will solidify the back end of the bullpen with Carlos Martinez moving to the starting rotation. Both are good additions and will definitely be able to help the team. With that said I wonder if the Cards gave up too much to get them. Shelby Miller was the big loss along with Tyrell Jenkins. Miller seemed to be turning the corner so to speak and looked better at the end of the season. If we are able to resign Heyward to an extension I believe the trade will be worth it, however if for some reason we aren't able to get an extension the trade could arguably be a bad move depending on what happens this year.

Other offseason moves that will impact the team were the additions of Matt Belisle, who will be a stop gap long man in the bullpen until Jamie Garcia is able to get healthy; Mark Reynolds, who will add power off the bench and give a right handed option at first base; and Carlos Villanueva who will also add depth and a veteran presence to the bullpen. The key losses are fan favorites Shane "Suga" Robinson, and Daniel Descalso.

Our starting pitching is good, however it will be interesting to see how Michael Wacha bounces back from his injury last year. Also it will be interesting to see if Adam Wainwright is able to stay healthy after leading the majors in innings pitched the last few years; if John Lackey has anything left in his tank and if Martinez is able to step up and be a starter again like he was in the minors. Oh yeah, and then there is Lance Lynn who everyone seems to forget, or not want to talk about or wants him to be traded but just goes out and gets it done.

Overall the rotation is a health concern with three of the five starters having had missed significant time due to injury in the past and two of the five having minor injuries this year in spring training. Then we put the magnifying glass on Martinez who is dealing with the loss of his close friend Oscar Taveras and the pressures of becoming a MLB starter. I would still stack our starting five against any in the majors because of the 'it' factor, how they stay loose and get along so well and as much fun they all seem to have until it is their time to toe the rubber. And I guess statistically they are kinda good top to bottom too. In my mind the biggest question mark will be Martinez, how he handles the stress, both mentally and physically.

Next time we will look at the offense and lineup. Will Mike Matheny stay with the same lineup all year? Why do we still have Pete Kozma and more.