"Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak has been a selective shopper this offseason, searching out bargains to fill organizational blanks. He plucked some low-hanging fruit, then scooped some produce off the ground as well. Critics would argue that some of the pieces were starting to rot, but, hey, at least the price was right. The marketplace flips on scores of veterans every year. GMs always have an opportunity to buy low, as Mozeliak has done many times since the season ended. He has loaded up on veterans who are eager to re-establish their worth. Spirited competition should result. Consider the case of infielder Nick Punto. He signed a one-year deal for a meager $750,000 after earning $8.5 million over the previous two years. He struggled with hamstring injuries last season and hit just .238. Punto is a solid defender at multiple positions, but he is NOT a run producer. At 33 years old, his options for 2011 were limited. The switch-hitter has had two decent offensive years in his career, in 2006 and 2008. If he can hit .280 again, he could play a lot this season – given the much-discussed defensive limitations of other Cards infielders. If he doesn't hit, he could help as a late-inning defensive replacement and occasional starter. Punto is still another guy who plays hard, diving for ground balls and sliding headfirst into bases. Manager Tony La Russa is thrilled to have him, so that alone makes him worth the modest price. He replaces Brendan Ryan's energy with none of that nasty shoulder licking in the batter's box." Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/jeff-gordon/article_9b78c5ec-27d5-11e0-bdba-00127992bc8b.html
