First Half Report Card

Record at the Break: 49-45, 2nd place NL Central - 1 Game Behind Houston

As the defending NL Central champions head into the break, they find themselves just a game back of the division-leading Astros, despite countless pitching problems in the first half. The offense continues to be one of the best in baseball, driven by Albert Pujols, Edgar Renteria, Jim Edmonds, and Scott Rolen, but the club is still in need of some help for the stretch run, and likely won't be able to compete in the playoffs even if they should win the division without making a move for some pitching help.

As we enter the break, we'll take this time to reflect on the positives and negatives of the first half.

Offense: All Stats are Average-Runs-Home Runs-RBI-SB

Catcher - Mike Matheny - .276-30-4-28-0 - Matheny has supplied his usual fantastic defense behind the plate, and continues to work well with veteran Woody Williams on the hill. The pitching staff as a whole has been extremely disappointing, though, and some of the burden must fall on their battery mate's shoulder. From a fantasy angle, Matheny has destroyed expectations, having his best offensive year to date. Look for an offensive dropoff in the second half, but his first half earns him high marks as compared to his expectations. First Half Grade: B-

First Base: Tino Martinez - .281-39-10-43-1 - After struggling tremendously upon coming to the National League last season, Tino has revived his bat a bit this season. His power numbers remain sapped from his years as a Yankee, but the 35-year-old's best years in that area are clearly behind him. He's not on track to return to his old 100-RBI seasons, and at a power position, isn't much of an option unless you're in a deep or NL-only league, but the fact that he's improved upon his average to actually be above his career batting average speaks volumes as to his improvement. First Half Grade: C

Second Base: Fernando Vina - .262-23-4-19-3 - and Bo Hart - .360-20-1-11-1 - Vina was a disaster before he went on the disabled list this season, aside from his phenomenal glovework. Lost in the three stolen bases is that he has actually been caught four times, and continues to be one of the worst base-stealers that the leadoff position has ever seen. His power numbers are impressive, considering his career numbers, but it's showing as he continues to let his OBP slip year after year, and the Cardinals need someone who can get on base more than anything else at the top of the order. If only preseason (and early season) trade talks had actually come to fruition. First Half Grade: F

Hart has been a breath of fresh air for a ballclub that is struggling to find their identity at the All-Star Break. After replacing Vina atop the order, Hart has shown a sparkling glove, an ability to get on base, and non-stop hustle. Assuming that the Cardinals don't trade the constantly ailing J.D. Drew, they can only hope that Hart's grit wears off on him. First Half Grade: A-, if only because he hasn't played enough

Third Base: Scott Rolen - .278-55-18-62-6 - Rolen has made Walt Jocketty look like a genius in his first full season with the Cardinals, and is currently on pace to set career highs in home runs, doubles, and RBI at the break. His trademark defense continues to shine through, and he keeps moving towards being one of the best defensive players at the hot corner ever. He could improve upon his batting average a bit, but he's hitting right around his career average, which is a very good sign for a pleyer who has been a slightly better second-half player over his career. First Half Grade: B+

Shortstop: Edgar Renteria - .331-55-9-60-23 - Renteria has built on last season's breakthrough, which saw him re-emerge as the top shortstop in the National League. For starters, the truly scary thing is that his average has jumped over 40 points in the second half in the past two seasons. Don't expect Edgar to suddenly bat .370 in the second half, but don't expect him to tail off. Despite jumping around the order, Renteria continues to show that he's a legitimate RBI threat any time that someone is on in front of him, and is batting .354 with runners in scoring position and two outs. The most important aspect of Renteria's game, however, is that Tony Larussa has finally decided to let him loose. Renteria has 16 of his 23 steals in the past month and a half, and if Larussa keeps letting Renteria run, he will be one of the top five-tool players in the game in the second half. In contrast to his preseason double play partner, Renteria has been safe on 23 of 26 attempts. First Half Grade: A+

Left Field: Albert Pujols - .368-81-27-86-1 - Words cannot describe just how terrific Albert Pujols has been this season for the Cardinals. He leads one of the triple crown categories (average), is second in another (RBI), and is third in the last (home runs), and is pretty much the consensus MVP of the first half. Big Albert is locked in at the plate, despite several nagging injuries that have hampered him all season, and remains one of the most mature hitters in baseball, despite only being 23. His average will continue to tail off just a bit, but Pujols will continue to put up MVP type numbers in the second half, and maybe this time he'll actually be rewarded. First Half Grade: A+

Center Field: Jim Edmonds - .303-61-28-67-1 - Edmonds continues to be a rock for the Redbirds, and is second in the league in home runs at the All-Star Break. He continues to show fantastic plate discipline, and is on target to shatter his career mark in homers (42) and RBI (110) if he can stay healthy in the second half, while providing his third straight .300 season. To top it all off, Edmonds continues to show his trademark, gritty defense, and appears in line to win yet another gold glove. First Half Grade: A-

Right Field: J.D. Drew - .305-37-10-27-2 - Drew continues to be one of the most frustrating players in the league, as he's spent far too little time on the field. When he's played, he continues to show his phenomenal promise, bashing a homer every 16 plate appearances, while batting over .300. Constant rumors that he's on the block don't seem to be affecting his play when he's on the field, but the Cardinals really need a healthy week or two out of Drew to decide whether it's worth the risk of holding onto him or not. First Half Grade: C.... A for his play... F for his frailty

Reserve: Orlando Palmeiro - .273-25-1-19-2 - Palmeiro has played fine defense while covering the outfield for Drew, while showing another solid slap-hitting bat near the top of the order. Don't expect another homer in the second half, but expect his steals total to rise. Palmeiro has minimal fantasy value even if he were to have an everyday role. First Half Grade: C+

Reserve: Kerry Robinson - .208-9-0-6-2 - Robinson is another solid defensive player with a slap-hitting bat and tremendous speed. His energy adds a lot to the club, but his bat adds little. He'll never win a full-time job, and fantasy owners should ignore him even if that were to ever happen. First Half Grade: D+

Reserve: Eduardo Perez - .293-32-6-23-2 - Perez has done a fantastic job coming back from an off season last year that saw him bat just .201, and is proving to be a solid replacement at first base and in the outfield so far this season. Perez is the only quality power bat that the Redbirds have off the bench, and should continue to have a solid 2003 in the second half. First Half Grade: B

Reserve: Wilson Delgado - .167-8-0-3-0 - The only middle infield backup that the Cardinals have, Delgado won't see much time the rest of the way, and has done little to show that he deserves to steal playing time from Hart or Renteria. First Half Grade: F

Rotation

Matt Morris: 8-6, 4.19 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 91 K - Morris has had a rollercoaster season, and is certainly on a down-trend right now. Many would blame a knot in the pitching shoulder of the ace who once underwent Tommy John Surgery, but Morris, Larussa, and the Cardinals continue to say that it has nothing to do with Morris' problems. In order for the Cards to compete in the second half, they'll need Morris to right the ship, and he's quite capable of it. For right now, he's falling drastically short of reaching his expectations. In his last start, his fastball was topping off in the mid-80's. First Half Grade: C

Woody Williams: 12-3, 3.01 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 87 K - Without Williams, this team is far from playoff contention, and he continues his quiet dominance since joining the Cardinals almost two years ago. Thirteen of his nineteen starts have been quality starts, and he is the only starter that can be counted on right now to give the woeful bullpen some much needed rest. Williams' success so far this season is far from unprecedented, as he has improved to 28-8 with a 2.68 and a 1.04 WHIP since joining the Cardinals in August of 2001. He should continue to have a strong season in the second half. First Half Grade: A

Brett Tomko: 5-6, 5.80 ERA, 1.62 WHIP, 62 K - Tomko has been the bust of the year on the Cardinals, and may not have actually been worth Luther Hackman in the offseason trade that brought him over from San Diego. Tomko was supposed to come over here and chew up innings, ala Andy Benes, but he's looked much like the Andy Benes that showed himself before he retired and "un-retired" last season. Tomko has gone through spurts that have actually had him removed from his spot in the starting rotation at some points, and continues to throw only one good start every five times out. First Half Grade: F

Garrett Stephenson: 4-9, 4.58 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 63 K - Remember when everyone headed into 2002 looking for Stephenson to return to his 16-game winning form of 2000? This is it! Stephenson's ERA is just .09 higher than it was in 2000, and his WHIP is actually .01 lower. Somehow, despite the best offense in the National League behind him, Stephenson just isn't getting the support, and has lost his last four decisions (a span of five starts) while throwing three quality starts. At this point in time, his consistency in the rotation is second only to Williams, and he fits in as their only real option as a true number three starter without acquiring help through a trade. Expect a better record to go with his decent secondary numbers in the second half. First Half Grade: C+

Jason Simontacchi: 8-4, 6.04 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, 50 K - Simontacchi has pitched so poorly as a member of the rotation that he has been shipped to the bullpen, where he should stay until the end of the season. Danny Haren has assumed Simontacchi's spot in the rotation for now, and if the Cardinals should acquire a starter through trade, this would be the spot that the new guy would likely pitch in. Simontacchi may end up being solid in long relief, where the league won't see him as much. First Half Grade: D

Bullpen
Cal Eldred: 3-2, 8 SV, 3.96 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 38 K - Eldred was a pleasant surprise in the absence of Jason Isringhausen, and helped keep the shakiest bullpen in the majors afloat. Eldred's numbers are deceiving, as he gave up twelve of his seventeen earned runs in four games, five of which came in his first two appearances in the major leagues in three seasons. His WHIP is still high for a reliever, and he stands no shot at reclaiming the closer role unless Jason Isringhausen suffers another injury. First Half Grade: B

Steve Kline: 3-4, 3 SV, 3.93 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, 15 K - Will the real Steve Kline please stand up? Kline has settled down since the return of Jason Isringhausen returned him to a more familiar bullpen role, and should continue to improve in the second half. He is one of the top 10-15 setup men in the game when he's on, and is still a quality option in holds leagues. First Half Grade: C-

Jason Isringhausen: 0-0, 5 SV, 1.32 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 11 K - Izzy has been strong since his return from the disabled list, and could be one of the better closers in baseball in the second half. He looks to have his stuff going full-strength, and the only question is how his shoulder will hold up. First Half Grade: C... can't be higher because he missed over two months

Rumorama

J.D. Drew is still rumored to be on the block for the Redbirds, and could certainly be wearing another uniform by July 31. The former Sidney Ponson rumor appears to be a bust, as the Orioles are trying with all their might to re-sign him before the deadline, and would likely require some upper level prospects in return if they were to deal him. Ponson continues to pitch lights-out ball for the Orioles, and his value continues to rise higher and higher than what the Cardinals will make available.

Corey Lidle of the Blue Jays has been mentioned as a possibility, and would seem to be a likely target for the Cardinals. Drew likely wouldn't fit in with the Blue Jays outfield-loaded organization, so the Cardinals would have to find a few upper level pitching prospects in order to make any kind of deal happen.

The Dodgers appeared to be a fine trading partner, and it remains to be seen how active they'll be in the market after trading for Jeromy Burnitz earlier today. One of the most important factors for the Cardinals in preparing for a trade could involve Fernando Vina's health. The unfortunate fact is that he will likely be out until mid-August, but Hart has shown that he could be a worthy replacement if the Cardinals were able to send Vina packing to a team that needs middle infield help. It's unlikely that any team looking to acquire a second baseman at the deadline will be willing to take the risk of not having Vina until late August.

Injuries

Fernando Vina - Vina will be out until at least the middle of August recovering from a torn right hamstring. Bo Hart has improved upon Vina's spot in the lineup in his absence, and Vina may become available before the deadline.

Joe Girardi - Girardi is spending yet another stint on the disabled list with a strained back. The Cardinals most important free-agent acquisition was really only supposed to back up Mike Matheny, but has played in just 7 games so far this season.

Miguel Cairo - Cairo still looks to be about a month away with a fractured hand.

Kiko Calero - After showing tremendous promise in his rookie year, Calero's season ended when he sufferred a rupture patella tendon. He may be back some time in 2004.

Eli Marrero - Marrero still looks to be at least a month away from returning from ankle surgery that was required in the "Game that wasn't" against the Cubs in May.

Rick Ankiel - Though he didn't reach the big club at any point this season, it's still news. Ankiel's season ended last week when he tore a ligament in his shoulder.

Chris Carpenter - Carpenter has looked solid rehabbing from surgery last season. Some rumors actually had him rejoining the club in the next couple of weeks, but expect him to join the club some time in early August. Carpenter will likely return in the bullpen, but may end up in the rotation depending upon how he's progressing. Either way, he looks well on his way to having his option picked up and becoming a member of the rotation in 2004.