Outfielder, certainly. But your 4th starter starts virtually the same number of games as your ace. The 5th starter likely starts at least 20-25 games as well. Combined, they start probably 1/3rd of your games. They aren't as important for the playoffs, but they can have a huge impact on being competitive in the regular season. It's how St. Louis was so good at winning divisons the last few years. Having Marquis or Suppan or Weaver of whomever as opposed to Wandy or Astacio or Buchholz is a huge difference.
Simply need...to be competitive in the Central. To be a legit, season-long challenger for Rings? They'll need upgrades and/or return to career levels and/or break out performances from 30 - 40% of their roster.
On the position players, these guys (starters & bench) are virtual locks to be on the O.D. roster: Ausmus Berkman Biggio Ensberg AE Lee Burke Scott Lamb Loretta Bruntlett OP Only questions here are: who's the backup catcher: Q or Gimenez? and who's the other backup OF: Lane, Hidalgo, Other (Mike Rodriguez, etc...). This guy really needs to be able to play CF, as Bruntlett & Burke (2 middle infielders by trade) are the only guys who can handle the position. On the pitching front, much more up in the air here: Roy JJ Woody Lidge Wheeler Qualls Miller Candidates for the 4/5 starter: Wandy, Albers, Sampson, Nieve, Other (Paul Wilson, etc...). Top candidates for the last 2 'pen spots: Bork (inside track for the long relief job), Asencio, Holdzkom, possibly whichever of Nieve/Sampson/Wandy doesn't make the rotation. Sampson & Bork have basicaly redundant skillsets, so I'm not sure both would make the bully if Sampson doesn't stick in the rotation. Wouldn't surprise me to see them work out a trade in order to keep Holdzdom & send him to AAA to start the season. Darkhorses who could win jobs with good springs: Juan Gutierrez (SP), Paul Estrada (RP), Mark McLemore (LRP), Mike Rodriguez (OF). These guys, along with Pence, Brooks Conrad, maybe Patton, maybe Josh Anderson, & whatever youngsters listed earlier who don't make the O.D. roster, will be the potential in-season callups.
I love Wheeler. I am glad we get to keep him for another year. I hope we work hard to keep him after that too.
