The Gas House Gang

Shortstop: The Cardinals let fan-favorite David Eckstein walk this off-season and brought in Cesar Izturis via free agency. Izturis does not bring much to the plate offensively but is a defensive whiz who will help make up for the drop-off in range the Cardinals will suffer in the third base transition from Scott Rolen to Troy Glaus. Izturis only signed a one-year deal and is seen as a temporary solution, but with no real major league-ready shortstops waiting in the wings, he will have the opportunity to turn a solid 2008 campaign into a long-term job with the club.