Moving on...

There is no need to talk about what happened over the weekend. We got swept by Houston, and then we lost a tough one yesterday. That makes 4 in a row, 5 of the last 6.... it's ugly, ok? So let's just move on. We had a good year. I hope they finish strong, but Cardinal fans, it's over.

What is next year's team going to look like? Well, let's start with who is playing well.

1. Albert Pujols - .363 avg (1st in NL), 30 HR (7th in NL), 91 RBI (12th in NL). Albert should win the MVP, but he won't, because we won't finish high enough. He has had a monster year, and is the obvious cornerstone of the franchise.

2. Ryan Ludwick - .303 avg (15th in NL), 32 HR (4th in NL), and 99 RBI (5th in NL). Ludwick had a monster year, and if he can stay healthy I think he can do this again. You also have to remember, he only played part time the first month of the season! Give him a full year, pencil him into a corner outfield spot (probably LF), and let him play.

3. Rick Ankiel - .269 avg, 25 HR, 71 RBI. Ank has had a tough month, dealing with injuries, and I'll admit that has me a little concerned. Overall, I think he is still getting better and can approach a .300/30/100 type of season, and has gold glove potential in the outfield. He is a keeper.

4. Yadier Molina - .310 average (7th in NL), best defensive catcher in the game. Yadi is the most improved hitter on the team, and he is a great all around catcher. He deserves a lot of credit for handling the starting pitchers so well, and nobody wants to run on him.

5. Troy Glaus - .271 avg, 21 HR, 85 RBI. The trade for Glaus was a great move. He played superb defense this year (best fielding percentage in MLB) and gave the Cardinals another solid bat in the order. He is an ideal 5th or 6th hitter in the order. If he can stay healthy again next year, he will have a place on this team.

6. Skip Shumaker - .308 avg (8th in NL), good defensive outfielder. I think Skip has had a good year, and he really hits RH pitching well. With the outfield crunch, it will be interesting to see what they do with him.

7. Aaron Miles - .317 avg, but only 325 plate appearances, so he doesn't qualify for the league leaders. I think Miles got a raw deal this year. He should have played more, period. I think with what we had at SS and 2B, he was a clear upgrade over everybody else. Having said that, he is not a power hitter, he isn't a GREAT defensive player, and he isn't an ideal leadoff man. He is great at the platoon role, so look for the Cardinals to try to get a proven 2B in the offseason.

8. Felipe Lopez - He has hit .355 since coming over to the Cardinals. What are the plans for him next year? It is hard to say. He has value, like Miles, because he can play 2B or SS, as well as the corner outfield spots. He would be a great platoon guy, if he would continue to show that he is going to play hard everyday. He can definitely hit.

9. Cesar Izturis - .254 avg, good defensive shortstop. Izturis is a really, really good defensive shortstop. That's about all you can say for him. I'd love him as a platoon guy, but how many other players have we already said that about?

10. Adam Kennedy - .273 avg. Kennedy had a better year than last year, and he helped us at times. I think with the signing of Lopez, as well as young guys like Brian Barden and Brendan Ryan, Kennedy is going to be the odd man out. He won't be back next year.

11. Chris Duncan - .248 avg, 6 HR. Chris was hurt, so he gets a little slack for that. However, it remains uncertain if he can return to form. With all of our outfielders, I think he could also be squeezed out.

12. Joe Mather - .241, 8 HR, only 133 AB. Mather had a decent showing in his first year in the bigs. I think he is a keeper because he can play all 3 OF spots, and he has power. I think he will make the team next year.

13. Brian Barton - .269, 2 HR, only 130 AB. Barton can run, and he has shown flashes of being a good player. Look for him to play in AAA next year.

So how does it all shake out? Here would be my dream lineup for next season:

1. SHORTSTOP - To be determined, a high on base, good glove type of guy.
2. Rick Ankiel - RF, if he continues to improve, he could do serious damage in front of Albert.
3. Albert Pujols - 1B, with enough protection, he could challenge for a triple crown.
4. Ryan Ludwick - LF, if he plays full time all year, could be a .300/40/120 type of guy.
5. Troy Glaus - 3B, could easily hit .280/25-30/100
6. Colby Rasmus - CF, Good defensive player, good power and speed, but he's young.
7. Yadi Molina - C, He is a .300 hitter and is getting better every year.
8. Pitcher bats 8th, I know it sounds crazy!!!
9. Felipe Lopez - 2B, no way he keeps hitting at a .350 clip, but he is an intriguing option.

Brian Anderson, backup catcher, he can hit, and he is a lefty.
Joe Mather, can play all 3 OF spots, good power
Skip Shumaker, can play all 3 OF spots, good avg.
Aaron Miles, can play 2B, SS, or 3B, good hitter off the bench.
Brendan Ryan, can play 2B, SS, or 3B, young guy, he has shown flashes.

I'll go over the pitcher's tomorrow. I think with a good year from Rasmus, a healthy Ankiel, and similar production from the rest... hey, it looks like a good lineup!