ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Jen Langosch, Senior Content Manager for MLB, joined KMOX's Chris Hrabe live in-studio for the Wednesday edition of Sports Open Line and discussed a number of baseball topics including what the future roles of St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter and pitcher Carlos Martinez could be.
Starting with the infielder who will turn 34 in November, Carpenter's progression this offseason could be very similar to what we saw with Dexter Fowler last year, Langosch says, meaning "an awful year that he wants to put behind him."
"I think we're going to see the same with Carpenter," Langosch says. "I think they are going to send Matt home to clear his head, to work on his swing. I don't think any of us have to worry about Matt Carpenter not putting in enough work. If anything we may worry about him putting in too much work. And I think they are going to give him an opportunity to come into spring training and recement himself as the third baseman."
So if Carpenter comes back as a starter, then what happens to Tommy Edman? Well, Langosch says the best part about Edman is that he can play almost anywhere and can be plugged in at another spot and the team "will be better for it."
Then one of the biggest Cardinals question marks this offseason is Carlos Martinez, Langosch believes. Does St. Louis think he can be a starter again, or do they keep him in the bullpen? One thing is certain, his stuff is "nasty."
"That's why you want him to start and that's the thing that you want every five days," Langosch says. "But if he can't physically handle that, the bullpen is a backup option. We saw for a couple of months there that he could be a darn good closer."
Langosch believes the bullpen may be the best option for him, moving forward due to his recent injury trouble.
You can listen to the full conversation between Hrabe and Langosch in the audio at the top of this page.