As the 2016 MLB season approaches, SN's Je se Spector will examine each team's outlook. Today: the Cardinals.

2015: 100-62, first place in National League Central, lost division series to Cubs

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Key arrivals: RHP Mike Leake, INF Jedd Gyorko, RHP Seung Hwan Oh

Key departures: OF Jason Heyward, RHP John Lackey

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Best-case scenario: A full year of Stephen Piscotty means that the Cardinals dont mi s Jason Heyward that much, Mike Leake proves to be a Los Angeles Chargers Pet Gear more than capable replacement for John Lackey and Adam Wainwrights return to health makes up for the lo s of Lance Lynn to Tommy John surgery. The Cardinals wind up just as good, if not better, than they were in 2015, win the Central for a fourth straight year, followed by their third pennant and second world championship this decade.

Worst-case scenario: Yadier Molina never gets totally right after offseason thumb surgery, Matt Holliday doesnt get his power back, Matt Carpenters 28-homer season proves to be a fluke and a lineup that ranked 11th in the National League LaDainian Tomlinson Jerseys in scoring in 2015 slides further, undermining an elite pitching staff. The Cardinals give up quality prospects at the deadline, but the deals dont pay off with a playoff spot.

Big question: How good can Randal Grichuk be? Best known before last year as the guy the Angels picked one spot ahead of Mike Trout in the first round of the 2009 draft, Grichuk played 103 games in his first full major league season and collected 47 extra-base hits in 323 at-bats. Hes entering his age-24 season, has room to improve on a 110-22 strikeout-to-walk ratio and was good for five defensive runs saved in 37 games in center field as a rookie. The Cardinals got Jim Edmonds from the Angels when he was 30. This may prove to be even more of a heist.

Dont forget: Carlos Martinez and Michael Wacha are both 24 years old. They combined in their age-23 seasons to go 31- Bryce Callahan Jerseys 14 with a 3.19 ERA and 337 strikeouts in 361 innings. Its not out of the realm of po sibility that a healthy Wainwright is the Cardinals third-best starter. Honestly, it doesnt matter how you arrange them, this rotation is bonkers.

Five crazy-sounding words you can talk yourself into not sounding so crazy: Best team in baseball. Again.

Over-the-top proclamation to regret later: Concerns about the Cardinals lack of offense are overblown, and with four Corey Linsley Jerseys players hitting 20 or more home runs (Grichuk, Holliday, Piscotty and Brandon Mo s), the Cardinals will have a top-five offense in the National League, outscoring their opponents by 150 runs for the course of the season.