With the first official team workout slated for tomorrow, here is a list of players to watch as the team begins preparation for the 2008 baseball season.

Albert Pujols - Pujols insists his troublesome right elbow is fine, and for Cardinal nation it better be.  Should the elbow cause problems this season and Pujols is forced to miss extensive time, this team could be in for a very long summer.  Last fall, the Cardinals and Pujols considered surgery to repair the strained ligament that has bothered Pujols since 2003 but Pujols, in consulation with team doctors, decided to to try a non-surgical approach.  Rest was prescribed, as was a plan to Pujols from unnnecessarily straining the elbow.  This has been Albert Pujols' team for a long time, but never anymore this year given the departures of Scott Rolen and Jim Edmonds.  With new faces and questions mark galore, the Cardinals need to keep Albert Pujols on the field in order to have any success in 2008.

Colby Rasmus - The youngest and most gifted of the prospects and newcomers who could highlight Cardinals spring training.  The Cardinals will grade Rasmus, who led all Class AA players with 29 homers in 2007, on how he carries and prepares himself as much as how he performs.  As a centerfielder and potential leadoff man, Rasmus fits the Cardinals needs and is expected to be in the majors sometime this year.

Brian Barton - The former Cleveland Indian farmhand was said to be one of the prizes of the Rule 5 draft but several teams passed because of his recent knee surgery.  He slipped to the Cardinals, who believe the Barton could be the speedy righthanded outfielder they're missing.  He'll have this spring to show the knee is healthy as well as that he's ready to for the majors, despite having fewer then 100 at bats in Class AA baseball.

Cesar Izturis - Since 2005, Izturis has been a utility infielder.  The starting job at shortshop is his to lose after the Cardinals and David Eckstein parted ways this offseason.  Izturis is fit for the No. 9 spot, a tradeoff that only works if he's elite defensively.  Plenty of playing time awaits him to show his glove is still golden and what his bat can offer if he has an everyday job.

Chris Perez - Perez, the 42nd pick in the 2006 draft, boasts a fastball he can throw in the high 90's and arguably the best slider in the Cardinals' system.  He is being groomed as the heir apparent to Jason Isringhausen but this spring, his first with the major league team, he could throw well enough to earn a sprt in the bullpen aside the Cardinals closer.

Cliff Politte - Politte, missed all but a few Class AAA innings last summer because of shoulder surgery.  The former Cardinal farmhand, has a career ERA of 4.40 in 330 appearances and his ability coupled with his experience could give the Cardinals a replacement for Troy Percival.  In 2005, Politte helped the White Sox win the World Series title as a set up man and if he has his health and stuff this spring, he could help fill a role until Josh Kinney returns from Tommy John surgery.

Chris Carpenter and Mark Mulder - both players have started light tossing off the mound and both could conceivably be options for the major league team this summer should there recoveries from arm surgeries go as planned.  The Cardinals will have to shoulder the load with Adam Wainwright, Matt Clement, Joel Piniero, Braden Looper and either Brad Thompson or Anthony Reyes until then and if they can, either Carp or Mulder could give this team a boost around the All-Star break, provided the Cardinals are still realistically in the race. 

Troy Glaus - acquired in a trade for Scott Rolen, Glaus is the man that will protect Albert Pujols in the Cardinals lineup.  His defense isnt up to par with Rolen's, but Glaus is a better power hitter who should drive in more runs for this lineup, provided he's healthy. 

This season seems to be a new beginning for the Cardinals, with a new attitude and younger players seemingly having legit chances to make this club.  The future is now for this organization, time to let the kids play and prove themselves.  There is a nice mix of veterans and youngsters, but expect some bumps along the way as I'm not 100% certain the Cardinals have the talent to compete with the Cubs, Brewers and Astros in the National league Central.  Regardless, baseball season is here, let's PLAY BALL