Just one month after a crushing World Series loss, the Cardinals already appear to be poised for another deep playoff run in the 2014 season. With a plethora of young pitching, the Cardinals considered trading away a pitcher or two to help fill needs in the batting order. Luckily, they were able to fill the voids without losing a single pitcher.
The number one priority this offseason was upgrading the shortstop position. The duo of Pete Kozma and Daniel Descalso provided little offensive help and shortstop became the clear weak spot in the Cardinal lineup. The Cardinals signed former Detroit Tiger shortstop Jhonny Peralta to a 4 year, $53 million deal. Peralta, 31, is coming off a season shortened by a 50-game-suspension due to links to performance-enhancing-drugs. While the Cardinals took a lot of heat for rewarding a PED-user with $53 million, Peralta will provide a major upgrade to the lineup.
Another need was outfield help. Between the struggling center-fielder Jon Jay, and the departure of Carlos Beltran, the Cardinals needed to add another outfielder to help fill the void. They did just that by trading away hometown hero, David Freese. While several fans were saddened to see Freese leave, it allows Matt Carpenter to move back to his natural position, third base. Also, the young Kolten Wong will get more time at second base with Carpenter at third. Freese was sent to Los Angeles to team up with former-Cardinal Albert Pujols, and the Angels sent back the speedy center-fielder Peter Bourjos. Bourjos will provide the Cardinals with excellent defense and speed on the basepaths, two things Freese lacked. With all the holes in the lineup filled, here is a projected batting order for the 2014 season.

3B. Carpenter
SS. Peralta
LF. Holliday
RF. Craig
C. Molina
1B. Adams
CF. Bourjos
2B. Wong
P.

The Cardinals do have a problem with their pitching, however. It’s a problem several teams envy. They have too many good pitchers and not enough slots to fill them in. There are seven worthy starting pitchers for only five spots. This causes quality pitchers to move to undeserving spots on the roster, and will cause some pitchers to be sent to the minor leagues until there’s simply more room at the major-league-level. This is how I project the starting rotation to look like at the beginning of the season, barring any injuries.

1. Wainwright
2. Wacha
3. Garcia
4. Lynn
5. Miller

That leaves the bullpen. I imagine this is how it will shape up.

CL. Rosenthal
SU: Motte
RHP: Martinez
RHP: Kelly
RHP: Maness
LHP: Siegrist
LHP: Choate

The Cardinals have all the pieces it takes to make it back to the World Series. With these key additions, they seem to already be a pick for 2014 World Series Champions.