With the season just around the corner, I think its time to put your reputation on the line and make some bold predictions for the year. I am going to make 3 cardinal-centric predictions and 3 mlb-centric predictions but do whatever you would like.

Cardinals

1. Ludwick -- 37 homers this year

2. Rasmus -- All-star this year

3. On June 15th, McClellan will be the full-time Cardinals closer.

MLB

1. Pirates will finish in 4th place in the Central, one game above .500. (Zach Duke = Stud)

2. By July 15th, the Mariners will be in last place in the AL West and major sellers at the trade deadline.

3. Rich Harden will be the starting pitcher for the AL all-star team.

Lets see what you got.

I've had this debate multiple times with many people so I thought I would bring up for this board to talk about.

The rule I think needs to be changed is the batter doesn't get a RBI when hitting into a double play. To me, it just doesn't make sense. First define RBI - Run batted in. To me that means a run scored when that batter was up to bat. It doesn't mean run batted in only when you cause one out. Anytime you can get a run in, its a success. At times it can be a rally killer but 1 run is better than nothing. The arguments I have heard for the rule are that you are hurting your team. How can causing your team to score be hurting your team. I don't care if you hit a homer, you ground into a double play, or the pitcher throws one to the backstop and hits the bull,as long as a run scored during your at bat you deserve a RBI.

Looking forward to hearing other people thoughts on this matter. Feel free to bring up othr rules that should be changed also.

First let me say I hate when people post outrageous trades that everyone knows has no chance. However I was looking at some information this morning and noticed that the Cards were one of 4 teams that Todd Helton approved to waive his no-trade clause for.

Now clearly we have our 1st baseman and plenty of backups. My question is: Could Helton play any other position? My thinking is the corner outfield spots. I know we have many bloggers here with first hand Rockie experience that could expand on this question.

He just seems like a perfect candidate for hitting infront of Mr. Pujols. Plus we have the capability to eat some of his salary and Jocketty seems to have a good working relationship with the Rockie organization. Of course if Helton has no ability to play anywhere else besides 1st base there is no reason to even talk about this.

Just looking for some experienced info.

So the other night in my fight with insomnia I was thinking about the future Hall of Famers playing actively right now. After thinking about it, I came to realize that I believe that only one team has more future HoFs on their roster than our very own Cardinals. Therefore I have set out to pick these players out. These are all players that I feel are currently HoFs or are very close to being HoFs. This is only a projections based on my thoughts and opinions. I didn't research numbers. These are just my thoughts after watching too much baseball year after year.

St. Louis Cardinals
    As I see it, the Cards have 4 future HoFs on the roster.

*    Pujols - I believe he will challenge Musial for the distinction of the greatest Cardinal ever.
*    Rolen - Right now I think he is the 3rd greatest 3bagger of all time, behind Schmidt and just behind Brooks Robinson.
*    Edmonds - Our generation's Willie Mays.
*    Carpenter - Still needs to put together 4 or 5 good years but well on the wall to the hall.

Now I will analyze each team. Some players I will comment on, some I won't. Remember there is no real rhyme or reason to my picks, just my thoughts.

NL East

NY Mets
    2 HoFs
*    Glavine - No doubter
*    Beltran - Needs a couple more good years but well on his way
Atlanta Braves
    3 HoFs
*    Chipper Jones
*    Andruw Jones
*    John Smoltz - Man he would look good in a Cards jersey
Washington Nationals
    Ummm NO
Florida Marlins
    1 HoFs
*    Miguel Cabrera - He has a long ways to go but so far his stats are scary good
Philadelphia Phillies
    Right now I don't see anyone coming close yet to talking about

NL Central

Chicago Cubs
    1 HoF
*    Alfonso Soriano - Not a huge fan or him but has big numbers if looked at as a 2nd baseman, still think has a long ways to go but on his way.
Milwaukee Brewers
    No one right now to talk about. If Ben Sheets ever stayed healthy, I believe he could have been the best pitcher in the NL for quite a few years.
Houston Astros
    1 HoF
*    Craig Biggio - lock for the HoF
        If Andre Dawson ever gets in, then you might be able to consider Carlos Lee.
Pittsburg Pirates
        No
Cincy Reds
    1 HoF
*    Griffey - No Discussion needed

NL West

LA Dodgers
    Right now I see no HoFs on this roster. I know the debate can be made for Nomar and Schmidt, but if I were a voter, they wouldn't have my votes.
Arizona Dbacks
    1 HoF
*    Randy Johnson - absolute lock
Colorado Rockies
    1 HoF
*    Helton - This is my thought only on reputation. I need to look more at his numbers to see if he deserves this.
San Diego Padres
    2 HoFs
*    Maddux - 2nd best pitcher of our generation
*    Hoffman - absolute lock
San Fransico Giants
    3 HoFs
*    Omar Vizquel - little Ozzie
*    Barry Zito - needs a couple more good years but on the right path
*    Barry Bonds - I'm ignoring the steroids debate, sick and tired or it.

Now for the American League

AL East

NY Yankees
    5 Hofs - This is the only team I see that has more future HoFs on the roster than the Cards
*    Mariano Rivera
*    Derek Jeter
*    Mike Mussina - this guy very often gets looked over but has put up huge numbers for both the Yanks and Orioles
*    Alex Rodriguez
*    Andy Pettite
Boston Red Sox
    3 HoFs
*    Manny Ramirez
*    Curt Schilling
*    David Ortiz - His debate will be very interesting. I think he better put together a couple more amazing years to have a chance.
Baltimore Orioles
    1 HoF
*    Miguel Tejada - Never gets enough credit for how good he really is.
Tampa Bay DevilRays
    No one at this point in time
Toronto BlueJays
    2 HoFs
*    Roy Halladay - needs to stay healthy but definetly has the ability to put up the numbers
*    Frank Thomas

AL Central

Chicago White Soxs
    Right now I see no one getting in the Hall. I am a huge Thome fan but he seems like a player the voters aren't a huge fan of. He's the only player with a realistic chance right now.
Cleveland Indians
    No one, but we need to revisit this team in a couple of years, lots of really good talent.
Minnesota Twinkies
    1 HoF
*    Johan Santana - He's kinda good.
Detroit Tigers
    2 HoFs
*    Ivan Rodriguez -  He may be the best catcher ever.
*    Gary Sheffield - Despite his character, he has been a good player for awhile now.
Kansas City Royals
    Surprise no one. However give some love to Mike Sweeney, he's an excellent player. Too bad he always played for the Royals.

AL West

LA Angels
    1 HoF
*    Vladimir Guerrero - It has to be a blast watching him hit every day for your team.
Oakland A's
    1 HoF
*    Mike Piazza - I wonder what its like having a catcher who can hit. ( A thought in every Card fan's mind)
Seattle Mariners
    Nope. Ichiro probably deserves it but I doubt voters will take his number from Japan in consideration. At the very least he meant a lot to MLB relationship with Asia.
Texas Rangers
    Not on this roster.

Well I know this will cause great debate and banter but its February, I'm bored, and its something to talk about. One interesting things I noticed, the Cards have more future HoFs than all of the AL Central. But feel free to rip apart everything I said, that's what its here for.