Cardinal's franchise player

[maddash]

So, now that Albert's gone, who's the Card's "franchise" player. Not necessarily the team leader, but the player who currently represents the Cards in most people's mind.

Holliday, IMO, really doesn't exuded personality. He's just kind of a good player who's.... there. Yadi probably comes closest to representing the Cards to me, but I don't know if his national profile is really big enough. Berk will always be an Astro. This might be the year that Carp represents the Cards nationally and also the year he passes that torch to Wainwright.

[ilstu24]

John Mozeliak

[Fat Strat]

At the moment it's without question David Freese.

But, for me personally it's Chris Carpenter with Wainwright ready to take over as soon as he actually starts pitching again.

It's too bad that Holliday doesn't seem to have whatever it is that he needs to have to take on this role. He's probably the most talented player on the club. He just doesn't have that "moment" yet with the Cards. Freese, Carp, Yadi, AW, they all have it.

BTW, don't underestimate Motte, either. He's nowhere near that level now, but he has star potential.

[cards2468]

Ryan Theriot

[CardsofSTL]

I voted for Wainwright...but now that I think more about it I think Yadier might be the better choice. It should be Holliday with the dollars he is pulling down; but he hasn't established that type of cred yet. He might in the years to come but I don't think he is that kind of player.

[cards2468]

Too bad Carp is getting up there in years. He's a complete badass to me.

[TGantz]

Matt Holliday. Period.

[AdmiralKird]

Albert Pujols.

[OmahaCard79]

None of the above at this point. Right now, the Cardinals are really a franchise without a face. Someone will have to step up and take that crown. No one can just be annointed the franchise player. They have to earn it. Waino and Freese are good candidates. Let's see if they can take that step.

[Leroy]

I think I would choose Carpenter. Some here like him, some not so much. But I'd say fans of pretty much any other team can't stand him. Pujols' shoes in that department won't be filled. I would also say it could be Yadi. Waino is great, but he seems so mild mannered, not that this should disqualify him. Freese will have to do what he has done for awhile, of course he'll be the hometown favorite.