Even if the 6-foot-7, 230-pound Wainwright throws fewer than 200 innings, the estimate the Cardinals have used in their try to play it safe with a pitcher not yet a year removed from elbow reconstruction, they view it as a major plus. At the team's...

Armed with a cup of coffee instead of facemask and shin guards, the former four-time Gold Glove catcher confessed to feeling a bit strange. “Is this the spot?” Matheny said. Two equipment bags topped by six boxes of shoes was stacked in front of Matt...

The former four-time Gold Glove catcher confessed to feeling a bit strange. “Is this the spot?” Matheny said. Two equipment bags were stacked in front of Matt Holliday’s locker, which used to be Pujols’ spot. As for Pujols’ decision in December to take...

La Russa usually held court for 16 springs. Armed with a cup of coffee instead of a face mask and shin guards, the former four-time Gold Glove catcher confessed to feeling a bit strange. "Is this the spot?" Matheny said. Two equipment bags topped by six...

Armed with a cup of coffee instead of facemask and shin guards, the former four-time Gold Glove catcher confessed to feeling a bit strange. “Is this the spot?” Matheny said. Two equipment bags topped by six boxes of shoes was stacked in front of Matt...

La Russa usually held court for 16 springs. Armed with a cup of coffee instead of a face mask and shin guards, the former four-time Gold Glove catcher confessed to feeling a bit strange. "Is this the spot?" Matheny said. Two equipment bags topped by six...

Armed with a cup of coffee instead of facemask and shin guards, the former four-time Gold Glove catcher confessed to feeling a bit strange. “Is this the spot?” Matheny said. Two equipment bags topped by six boxes of shoes was stacked in front of Matt...

Armed with a cup of coffee instead of facemask and shin guards, the former four-time Gold Glove catcher confessed to feeling a bit strange. "Is this the spot?" Matheny said. Two equipment bags topped by six boxes of shoes was stacked in front of Matt...

Armed with a cup of coffee instead of facemask and shin guards, the former four-time Gold Glove catcher confessed to feeling a bit strange. "Is this the spot?" Matheny said. Two equipment bags topped by six boxes of shoes was stacked in front of Matt...

Fla.—So long, Albert Pujols. Happy trails, Tony La Russa. Timeout, Dave Duncan. bags topped by six boxes of shoes was stacked in front of Matt Holliday's locker stall, which used to be Pujols' spot. As for Pujols' decision in December to take a 10-year,...

Armed with a cup of coffee instead of facemask and shin guards, the former four-time Gold Glove catcher confessed to feeling a bit strange. "Is this the spot?" Matheny said. Two equipment bags topped by six boxes of shoes was stacked in front of Matt...

Armed with a cup of coffee instead of facemask and shin guards, the former four-time Gold Glove catcher confessed to feeling a bit strange. Two equipment bags topped by six boxes of shoes was stacked in front of Matt Holliday’s locker stall, which used...

According to the Seattle Times, Mariners OF Michael Saunders has been studying video of Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday this offseason in hopes to make his swing more compact. He's been putting a rubber exercise band around his knees and a second one...

His career on-base percentage is also higher than Jay's, so that is something to factor in. The Cardinals obviously want to plug that second spot with someone who will get on base in front of Lance Berkman and Matt Holliday. I actually think the...

"I wouldn't have had it any other way." Playing on a fractured right kneecap, Craig contributed three home runs and three game-winning RBIs in the Cardinals' epic takedown of the Rangers. He started in left field in Game 7 the night after Matt Holliday...

Cubs' Kosuke Fukudome, left, is tagged out at the plate by St. Louis Cardinals catcher Gerald Laird off a throw by left fielder Matt Holliday during the fourth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 11, 2011 in Chicago. Kosuke Fukudome is joining the...

The inability to ink Pujols to a new deal left the Cardinals with the cash to re-sign shortstop Rafael Furcal and aggressively pursue Beltran. Beltran won't replicate Pujols' production, but if he stays healthy, he will be a key piece in a St. Louis...

Louis Cardinals OF Matt Holliday and 3B David Freese have spent the offseason working out together and playing squash. Squash is like racquetball, but it features a smaller ball with less bounce and tends to have longer rallies and heightened strategy. ...

While mandatory at third, diving is a no-no in squash. During one rally last week against outfielder Matt Holliday, Freese leaned forward and extended his racquet as if to dive after the ball. He caught himself, kept his balance, and surrendered the...