[Ed. note: Once or twice throughout the season, the United Cardinal Bloggers undertake a roundtable discussion via e-mail that involves and answers various questions from the bloggers taking part over the course of a few weeks. We’ve spent most of our writing time answering those questions and taking part in those discussions (gladly, I might add), so figured they are fair game to post here – not to mention trying to gain a little exposure for both the project as well as some other blogs you all should be reading.]
Ben from All Redbirds, All The Time asks:
At this point in time, who do you see as the starting third baseman: Joey Bombs Mather, David Freese, or Felipe Lopez? I ask this because a third baseman can be a cornerstone of a solid defense, as well as provide concrete impact offensively.
I get the impression that Tony doesn’t want to give him the satisfaction, nor rest on his laurels, but David Freese has the job at third base.
For a team so concerned with defense – and clearly struggling with that end of the game already this spring – Freese provides the best option with the glove.
Mark him as the best defensive option, and his overall “score” for winning the job gets a big boost when you consider that he ultimately projects to be very similar to what could’ve been expected from Mark DeRosa in the same role in 2010.
I sincerely hope that Joe Mather makes this team and sees extended playing time as a super-utility guy around the outfield and maybe some third and first base time – particularly after his boastful comments in the off-season about “making the team or moving on”.
There is no doubt that Felipe Lopez was brought in as a deterrent to Freese getting too comfortable, and no doubt Lopez will see time at third base – but he is not a third sacker by trade. Expect a heavy dose of David Freese unless the bottom falls out of his game.
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