At Future Redbirds, a game is afoot to guess the Redbirds opening day roster. Naturally, I had to play along. I’m going to dress it up here with links and annotations.

Lineup:

• Johnson C:
  

  Veteran catcher expected to play the Crash Davis role. If he can maintain the great hitting he showed last year, he’ll be valuable depth.

• Phelps 1B:
  

  Slugging 1B/DH provides decent depth for Albert

• Hoffpauir 2B:
  

  Puny on-base machine finds his wood-bat extra-base power at age 24. Expectations are high.

• Freese 3B:
  

  Lafayette grad blocked in the Padres system is traded for legendary CF Jim Edmonds leapfrogs AA. Pressure’s on, but he has the coaches’ confidence and a solid statistical record.

• Jimenez SS:
  

  30-year-old with a reputation for getting on base may end up being valuable if Izturis is as useless as expected.

• Stavinoha LF:
  

  Fast-moving outfielder had difficulty adjusting to AAA in 2007, needs to rebound in age 26 season.

• Rasmus CF:
  

  Power. Speed. Smarts. Instincts. Scrap. Grit. Hustle. Don’t be distraught by any early season struggles. Don’t be surprised if he sheds that reputation by not battling a sinus infection while advancing a level. Memphis fans rejoice for a few months.

• Mather RF:
  

  Winner of 2007 Terry Evans Jr. Award for late-blooming outfielder looks to continue raking his way to the majors

Bench:

• Gonzalez OF/DH:
  

  Two-time AL MVP attempts comeback, takes AAA roster spot from Amaury Marti. Rakes and gets traded.

• Haerther OF:
  

  Is he eligible for the 2008 Terry Evans Jr. Award? Competition for Jon Edwards and Daryl Jones, if so.

• Barden IF:
  

  Super-slick 3B suffers near total power loss in 2007, aims to become useful utility infielder. I’m a big fan, and would love to see his bat come back.

• Washington IF:
  

  Uncle Rico splits time with Freese and Barden at third and gives Phelps off days at first.

• Pagnozzi C:
  

  Tom Pagnozzi’s nephew returns as AAA backup catcher.

Rotation:

• Boggs R:
  

  Fastball-slider pitcher continues his rapid ascent

• Hawksworth R:
  

  Former prospect looks to pitch fully recovered from serious labrum and sundry other injuries and reignite his star potential.

• Parisi R:
  

  Durable groundball machine with a suddenly unfortunate name returns for second season on the cusp of the majors

• Brazelton R:
  

  Exceptionally talented pitcher who was pushed far too hard, far too soon joins his fifth organization since the 2005 season. If you aren’t rooting for him to breakout, you’re a scoundrel. Brent Strom and Dyar Miller have a great opportunity before them.

• Haberer L:
  

  Durable lefty groundball machine desperately needs to improve his performance against right-handed batters to take advantage of his strong body. 2007 (quick n’ dirty) FIP splits: vs. LHB-2.78; vs. RHB-5.28 I’d like to see him add a splitter to complement the sinker against right-handed batters.

Bullpen:

• Perez CL:
  

  I can’t wait to see this guy throw in person

• Motte R:
  

  Catcher-turned-Pitcher has his fastball close to triple digits.

• Worrell R:
  

  Nifty straight-over-the-top delivery provides a different look out of the ‘pen and Worrell cashes in.

• Politte R:
  

  Vianney grad came up as a starter for the Cardinals, left in a trade for Stephenson and Bottalico the offseason after his first call-up, he went on to have several excellent seasons in bullpens in Philly and with the White Sox. Returning from surgery, if he looks good, I’d rather have him that Kelvin Jimenez.

• Scherer R:
  

  Big righty from Poughkeepsie did absolutely everything you want to see after moving up a level. Keep ‘im moving. Needs to improve against left-handed batters.

• Flores L:
  

  Randy’s little brother joins the Cardinals at the same age Randy did, sporting a much more impressive resume.

• Villone L:
  

  If the 38-year-old accepts an assignment to AAA, he and Politte would make valuable mentors for the youngsters on the pitching staff with their nearly 1,500 combined Major League innings. Used properly, he’s a fine lefty out of the bullpen.

Some notes: I like Castellanos to make the ML roster. I expect McClellan to start the year out at Springfield making the transition to starter.

Marti either plays in Mexico again or goes back to AA. If Gonzalez makes the STL roster, I’d guess that he’d push out either Barton or bump Ludwick down to AAA, both undesirable outcomes.