We're getting there. The signs of a new season are in the air. Pedro has reported to Mets camp early, I'm dreaming about a February exhibition at Wrigley between the Cards and Cubs (not a good idea), and the generic "X Questions" piece has shown up in the Post-Dispatch. Strauss does a nice job covering all the issues, but this article is a classic example of the constraints under which sportswriters work. Really the top four questions should read:

(1) Health of Pujols' feet
(2) Health of Rolen's knee
(3) Health of Edmonds' whole body
(4) Health of Mulder's body and psyche ("he put too much pressure on himself in 2004")

Beyond that you have the health of Isringhausen (hip surgery could be very good or very bad), the health of Morris and Carpenter, and the health plus age and post-Coors issues for Walker. Oh, you could probably throw in the health of Anthony Reyes and Adam Wainwright too. Ankiel and the middle infield certainly are legit concerns, but if the fate of the season rides that heavily on whether Luna or some Nuñez makes the roster -- Strauss lists that as Question #1 -- then I don't want to watch.

Am I the only Cardinal fan who while watching KU basketball thinks Keith Langford should have a decent P/FGA with a lots of air balls and lots of FTs made?