La Russa: Players union pushing Pujols

Where the three-time NL MVP plays in 2012 cannot be of much concern for manager Tony La Russa, as long as it doesn't disrupt performance.

"I can't feel better about Albert if he was on a day to day contract or a 10-year contract," the 66-year-old manager said. "He's got too much pride, he's too committed.

"No matter what happens, Albert will be Albert, and thank goodness for that."

Even with Pujols heading an everyday lineup that appears set and a rotation that ranks with the best in the National League, there can't be any cockiness. The Cardinals have missed the postseason three of the last four years, sagging to second place in the NL Central last year with a disappointing 86 wins, and enter spring training with their share of concerns.

Lance Berkman is trying to bounce back from a season so poor he briefly considered retirement, and make the transition back to the outfield at age 35. Often-injured third baseman David Freese is coming off surgery to both ankles and will be gradually nursed back to a full-time role.

Fifth starter Kyle Lohse had an encouraging finale in 2010 coming off unusual forearm surgery that hindered him for 1 1/2 seasons, but must show he's all the way back.

There's plenty of optimism, too.

"I feel like this is a legitimate World Series contender, I really in my heart believe that," Berkman said. "I'm not trying to do like Rex Ryan and put something out there and make everybody mad, I feel like we've got a great team."

While noting improvements made by other NL Central contenders, cleanup man Matt Holliday made no concessions. He'd match the starting five of Adam Wainwright, Chris Carpenter, Jake Westbrook, Jaime Garcia and Lohse against any team "including the Phillies."

Wainwright (20-11, 2.42) was the NL Cy Young runnerup last year and Carpenter (16-9, 3.22) finished second in 2009. Westbrook and Lohse are former 15-game winners.

The switch-hitting Berkman has six 100-RBI seasons but batted a career-worst .248 last year while hampered by a left knee injury. He struggled particularly against left-handed pitching with a puny .171 average.

Berkman has shed about 10 pounds to mount his comeback on a one-year free agent deal. La Russa said he will hit fifth behind Pujols and Matt Holliday, allowing Freese and youthful Colby Rasmus to develop in less stressful lineup spots.

"I'm not on a rampage to prove people wrong, that's not my personality," Berkman said. "I never in a million years thought I'd hit below .250, I don't care what the circumstances, but I did last year."

The last time Berkman was primarily an outfielder was 2004, but he believes straight-line running in the outfield will be much easier on his legs than first base, with requires frequent changes of direction. La Russa decided last month against asking Holliday to move from left to right field, and said as long as the offense returns, Berkman need only make the routine plays.

"He's got a hell of a bat and he's going to be an average, at least, outfielder," La Russa said. "So I don't feel like we're conceding anything."

While Berkman looks forward to stretching his legs, Freese must show he can handle the stops and starts required at third base.

"I think I lost all privilege on telling them I feel fine," Freese said. "They're going to watch me like a hawk. If I'm out on the field, I'm going to produce. I've just got to go out and do it, that's the bottom line."

The Cardinals will give prospect Allen Craig work at third in the spring, and they signed Nick Punto for depth. Last year there was no good option when Freese went down for good in late June.

"The one thing we're certainly going to do is make sure David's projectable playing day is opening day and not first day of spring training," general manager John Mozeliak said.

Both Rasmus and La Russa reiterate that the old friction between the veteran manager and a player entering his third season is long forgotten. La Russa said "when we're at our worst, we have a good relationship, when we're at our best we have a great relationship."

"Everything's gravy, everything's good," Rasmus said. "We're all grown men. Water under the bridge."