Is 3B Going To Be A Problem For Cardinals Again?

QUESTION: Coming into the season the Cardinals already have stated they will not play third baseman David Freese every day in order to not overwork his surgically repaired ankles. They signed light-hitting but solid gloveman Nick Punto to help pick up the slack at the hot corner, but Punto already has suffered a sports hernia and could be out the season’s first two months. Allen Craig, who projects more power with the bat, stepped into the fray in Monday’s spring training opener and showed there still is much work to be done with the glove – not all that unexpected given how long it’s been since he’s played third base. All that said, have the Cardinals once again left themselves too vulnerable at a position which traditionally calls for both power at the plate and a solid glove in the field?

STL Today