The two most certain positions, other than catcher, going into this offseason were first and third base. Barring a blind siding trade or injury, Albert Pujols and Troy Glaus were locks to be at each respectively. No trade was made, but injuries did happen. No, they weren’t new injuries, but rather nagging ones that finally needed repairing. Pujols’ elbow was finally deemed worrisome enough by him and doctors that instead of blowing out his arm, they got ahead of the game. No one expects anything less than full recovery, especially Albert himself. Glaus on the other hand is a different story all together. I was shocked when i read that he had undergone right shoulder surgery. The first thing that entered my head was, why did they wait so long into the offseason to have it done. But the second thing was even more daunting. Is this going to be a rerun of Scott Rolen’s shoulder woes? Lets hope not.

So who are the principles in the mix for first and third? Albert Pujols, Troy Glaus, Chris Duncan, Joe Mather, Brian Barden, Brendan Ryan, David Freese, Brett Wallace, Tyler Greene, Joe Thurston and Allen Craig. That’s a lot of names with very few of them really having a shot.

First Base is as locked up for the forseeable future as any position on any team in the majors. Albert Pujols will be patrolling his accustomed turf as always. What is in some doubt is who will give him his five games off this year. I think the likeliest competition comes from Chris Duncan and Joe Mather. Duncan has played first more than Mather and it seems to be his more natural position. Once again though, Duncan’s playing there is all predicated on his health and possible trade. Mather on the other hand is very intruiging. His versatility is extremely coveted by a manager such as Tony LaRussa. Able to play all three outfield positions, third and first makes Mather a very attractive roster guy. I’m looking for Joe to be that guy with Duncan to be sent down to Memphis to get at bats until needed or eventually traded. I could be wrong though and Chris has a great Spring raking with the bat and either making the club or traded before the season starts.

Third base is much more of an open battle. With Troy Glaus being sidelined with shoulder surgery, there are many candidates for playing time. David Freese, Brett Wallace, Joe Mather, Allen Craig, Tyler Greene, Brendan Ryan and Joe Thurston are all eager for a chance to hold down third until Glaus returns. Freese seems to be the odds on favorite to get most of the time, but Wallace and Craig are both on his heels. Freese and Craig are both natural third basemen with Wallace still improving his skills there. Mather once again shows his value by being able to play third as well. The others are more of the utility ilk. Ryan didn’t look comfortable there last ear, but then again didn’t really look comfortable any where. Thurston has played some, but once again, i know little of his skills. If Tyler Greene can show that he’s comfortable there it will go a long ways to his making the club. My pick is Freese. He’s the most polished and accomplished of the candidates and we’ll need stability and consistency at the hot corner.

Now you are probably saying to yourself, what about Brian Barden? Well in my mind, while he is an excellent third baseman, there are just too many options there to include him seeing as how i’ve annointed him the front runner for the every day second base job.

Third should be fun to watch this Spring.