Carpenter eager to get started: St. Louis SP Chris Carpenter said Saturday he is ready for the start of spring training next month as the Cardinals open defense of their World Series title. “I’m looking forward to getting down there and getting going,” Carpenter said. “Obviously (there’s) a lot of excitement around this ballclub after everything that went on there towards at the end of the season. It’s been short.” Carpenter, who signed a two-year, $21 million contract extension in September, began throwing two weeks ago. He led the National League in innings last year with a career-high 273 1/3. “Everything feels good,” he said. “I always start throwing at the new year. I’ve always said, you can’t control what happens.” (Updated 01/14/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 2/12/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Though just an 11-game winner last year, Carpenter was 10-2 in the second half of the season. The right-hander stayed hot during the postseason, going 4-0 with wins in Games 1 and 7 against Texas. Carpenter remains one of the club’s leaders and said he embraces that position. “My role never changes. We all work together and trying to control things we can control,” he said. Fantasy owners can count on the St. Louis ace for wins and innings in 2012, and makes for a strong middle-round SP option in drafts for next year. (Updated 01/14/2012).
02/10/2012 13:27 2012 Draft Prep: 12-team, mixed H2H draft
Which picks stood out in our initial 12-team Head-to-Head mock draft for 2012? Check out the results and read what Scott White has to say about some of the more interesting selections.
02/09/2012 05:02 2012 Fantasy outlooks: Chicago Cubs
Chicago has a new front office and several new names to consider on Draft Day. Our Scott White breaks down the Cubs in a Fantasy team outlook.
02/02/2012 12:21 2012 Draft Prep: Our 12-team, mixed Rotisserie draft
It's time for owners to start looking ahead to Draft Day. We get you off and running with our 12-team Rotisserie mock draft. Check out the results!
02/01/2012 13:21 By the Numbers: Pitchers with a new look
Why should owners have even higher hopes for Cole Hamels in 2012? Could Homer Bailey finally be able to deliver on his potential? Our Al Melchior profiles four pitchers to remember of Draft Day.
Chris Carpenter continued to be a horse for the Cardinals last season but did not get off to the best of starts. He went 1-7 with a 4.47 ERA over his first 15 outings before hitting his stride. His ERA would not reach beyond that mark after that point as he would go 10-2 with a 2.73 ERA in his final 19 starts, and also went 2-0 with a 2.84 ERA in the World Series. He ended up with 191 strikeouts in 237 1/3 innings and walked just 55 while posting a 1.26 WHIP. The right-hander will have the benefit of Adam Wainwright back in the rotation this season and as long as he can stay healthy, he should be able to make 30-plus starts for the third straight year. Carpenter can be a solid Fantasy option when going well and has showed no signs of slowing down at age 36 so consider him a middle-round pick on Draft Day in 2012. (Updated 1/30/12)
Actual 
AccuScore Projections) Note: Points are rounded down.
= probable start