Three of the eight everyday starters from the Cardinals 2004 National League Champion team are gone. Edgar Renteria became number three, signing with the Red Sox Tuesday. Renteria agreed to a four-year deal worth $40-million with the defending world champions. Finding a replacement for the four-time All Star and two-time Gold Glove recipient will be the Cardinals’ toughest off-season taskt. There are plenty of free agent short stops looking for jobs this off-season. Amongst them is Olando Cabrera, who finished the season with the Red Sox. Former Cardinal Placido Polanco is also available—he was sent to Philly in the Scott Rolen trade. Future Hall of Famer Barry Larkin is also a free agent. The Cards will also have to find replacements for second baseman Tony Womack. Yadier Molina will be promoted to starting catcher after Mike Matheny signed with the Giants earlier this week.
