http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/thedailysportsgrind/home Recent thedailysportsgrind Posts en-us Jupiter, Florida- Cardinal Manager Mike Matheny has to replace the offensive contributions of a future Hall of Famer and has to do it with a bits and pieces approach. One of these pieces the Cardinals are counting on is World Series MVP 3B David Freese. Unfortunately, Freese has never played a full season, hasn't even reached 100 games in a season, due to arthritic feet and a surgically repaired ankle. Freese is doing all he can to "push the envelope" to get ready for the regular season, but Matheny wants to take a conservative approach. This brings prospect Matt Carpenter in to take reps  at third, and pressure off of Freese, as well as already working at 1b, 2b, and corner outfield. Carpenter hopes to head north with the big club as a utility player.  Last year's back-up at third, Dangerous Dan Descalso, is in the mix for the starting 2b job, thought more likely to break camp as a utility, as the club has expressed it's desire to see Tyler Greene win the job this spring. That usual Tue, 28 Feb 2012 18:38:51 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/thedailysportsgrind/article/matheny_monitors_fragile_freese_closely/10168843 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/thedailysportsgrind/article/matheny_monitors_fragile_freese_closely/10168843 Matheny monitors Fragile Freese closely http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/thedailysportsgrind/article/matheny_monitors_fragile_freese_closely/10168843 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png