Cards Lose an Arm

The Cardinals lost their top pitcher today when it was reported that Adam Wainwright would need Tommy John surgery.  Wainwright will miss the entire 2011 season and, depending on his recovery, may not be ready for the 2012 opener.  Wainwright has been one of the most dominant pitchers of the last two seasons.  Last year, Wainwright, who won 20 games last year and was runner-up for the NL Cy Young Award, felt arm stiffness after Monday's throwing session. He had experienced soreness toward the end of last season and didn't pitch in September.  The righty’s devastating twelve to six curveball has made him a stud in the majors since he became a starter following his stint as closer.  Wainwright, who saved the final game of the Cardinals’ 2006 World Series win against the Tigers, has posted sub 3.00 ERAs for the last two years.  This just adds to an offseason of misery for the Cards, who could not agree to a long-term deal with Albert Pujols.  Pujols will test the open market next offseason, and, unless St. Louis ups their offer, it looks like this may be Pujols last year in a Cardinals uniform.  Already troubled by this, the Cardinals now need to replace Wainwright with Chris Carpenter as opening day starter.  That is not a bad trade, but now the once strong rotation looks a lot thinner.  Without Wainwright, St. Louis will start the always interesting Kyle Lohse and the simply awful Miguel Batista.  It is tough to see the Cardinals winning their division, which features the defending champion Cincinnati Reds and the surging Milwaukee Brewers.  The Brewers just got their ace, Zach Greinke in the offseason, as well as a solid number three in Shaun Marcum.  Look out St. Louis, tough times look to be ahead for the Cards without Wainwright.