Rick Bowmer / AP

Ace Chris Carpenter, throwing during spring training, will be depended on to lead an inexperienced Cardinals staff.

Perhaps Duncan is comparing and contrasting. Let’s be honest, this year’s replacements don’t have to be world-beaters to outdo last year’s models. Consider that Suppan was 12-7 with a 4.12 ERA in 2006, Marquis was 14-16 with a 6.02 ERA, Mulder and Weaver combined for 11-13 with a 6.21 ERA and the combination of Sidney Ponson and Reyes were 9-12 with a 4.82 ERA in the No. 5 slot.

We’re not talking about the 1965 Los Angles Dodgers or 1970 Baltimore Orioles here. And the Cardinals have made this transition work in the past. During the spring of 2004, management inserted three new starters into the mix — Carpenter, Marquis and Suppan. The club won 105 games and those three went 46-21 with a 3.78 ERA. 

Duncan believes, if necessary, the Cardinals can improvise behind Carpenter. “As spring goes, if we don’t feel good about the five guys we have as starters, we’ll consider some adjustments,” Duncan said.

Two things suggest this pitching potpourri will work and this edition will more closely resemble the 2006 postseason Cardinals than the regular-season Cardinals.

One, the Cardinals will play excellent defense behind whomever is pitching, with potential Gold Gloves in at least four positions. Two, the bullpen should be outstanding, particularly if the starting rotation does not gobble up Wainright. Generally speaking, Cardinals starters should not have to go deep to be successful.

The man who signs the check, club chairman Bill DeWitt, is banking on it.

“I think what we did in October reflects more on the team's potential than the 83 wins during the season,” DeWitt said. “I base that on us having all of our players in October, which we pretty much had in ‘04 and ‘05. I think the team on the field is a very strong team and is very competitive.”

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