It's in the Cards

St. Louis Cardinals 2007 record: 78-84 (3rd in NL Central)
2008 Prediction: 5th in NL Central

Outfielder Juan Encarnacion will miss the entire 2008 season, due to an eye injury stemming from last August when he took a foul ball to the face while waiting on deck. He will miss the season, and his career is in jeopardy as well, according to MLB.com on 1/16.

In

• Cesar Izturis (PIT) - signed to a 1 year $1 million contract - 11/30/07
  
• Matt Clement (BOS) - signed to a 1 year, $1.5 million with an $8.75 million club option for 2009 - 1/3/08
  
• Troy Glaus (TOR) - acquired for Scott Rolen - 1/14/08
  
• Jason LaRue (KC) - signed to a 1 year, $850,000 contract - 11/19/07
  
• D'Angelo Jimenez (WAS) - signed to a minor league contract - 12/18/07
  
• Aaron Miles (STL) - resigned to a 1 year, $1.4 million contract - 1/4/07
  
• Josh Phelps (PIT) - signed to a minor league contract - 1/10/08
  
• John Wasdin (PIT) - signed to a minor league contract - 11/19/07
  

Out

• Troy Percival (TAM) - signed to a 2 year, $8 million contract - 11/30/07
  
• So Taguchi (PHI) - signed to a 1 year, $1.05 million contract - 12/23/07
  
• Jim Edmonds (SD) - traded for David Freese - 12/14/07
  
• John Rodriguez (TAM) - signed to a minor league contract - 1/4/08
  
• Gary Bennett (LAD) - signed to a 1 year, $825,000 contract with an option for 2009 - 12/17/07
  
• Scott Rolen (TOR) - traded for Troy Glaus - 1/14/08
  
• David Eckstein (TOR) - signed to a 1 year, $4.5 million contract - 12/14/07
  
• Kip Wells (COL) - signed to a 1 year, $3.1 million contract - 12/19/07
  
• Randy Keisler (MIN) - signed to a minor league contract - 1/10/08
  
• Miguel Cairo (SEA) - signed to a 1 year, $850,000 - 1/8/08
  
• Andy Cavazos (NYM) - signed to a minor league contract - 1/7/08
  

Remaining Free Agents

• Preston Wilson
  
• Russell Branyan
  
• Kelly Stinnett
  

Projected Opening Day Starters

C - Yadier Molina

1B - Albert Pujols

2B - Adam Kennedy

3B - Troy Glaus

SS - Cesar Izturis

LF - Chris Duncan

CF - Rick Ankiel

RF - Rick Ankiel/Ryan Ludwick/Skip Schumaker

Projected Opening Day Rotation

Adam Wainwright

Braden Looper

Matt Clement

Anthony Reyes

Joel Pineiro

Projected Opening Day Closer
Jason Isringhausen

Improvements: Glaus will be considered an improvement - or at least not having Rolen will. The Rolen/LaRussa struggles have taken their tolls on the team's morale, and now Glaus will be looked at as a replacement for Rolen. The Cards also picked up free agent Cesar Izturis, a replacement at shortstop for the departed David Eckstein.
Lack of improvement: The Cardinals really did not improve themselves very much at all, outside of Glaus (Rolen). As slick of a fielder as Izturis is, losing Eckstein will most certainly wind up hurting the club. And aside from Clement, the team didn't touch a single pitcher on the market, leaving Adam Wainwright as the team's (healthy) ace. Furthermore, the Cards found out that they will be without slugger Juan Encarnacion for the entire 2008 season, and possibly longer, due to an eye injury suffered in 2007. Losing the bat of Encarnacion will certainly be felt this upcoming season, and the Cards have yet to attempt to replace that firepower.
Keys for success: Wainwright will have to show that he is ready to be in the rotation - he showed some positive signs last season after being a reliever in 2006. Glaus will have to show the he is over his injury bug and is capable of being a full-time third baseman (after being a part-time DH in the American League for most of his career).