ST. LOUIS -- Taking a question about his projected 2016 lineup at the December Winter Meetings, manager Mike Matheny joked that it had taken reporters longer than usual this offseason to start inquiring about lineup possibilities. Perhaps he'll appreciate that respite given that he's about to field plenty more.
The Cardinals will open Spring Training later this week with most of their position player jobs settled. What isn't, however, is the order in which they'll be listed on the lineup card.
• 1B battle | Prospects | Comeback candidates | Newcomers
Is the club ready to explore the possibility of moving Matt Carpenter into a more run-production spot? Will Kolten Wong get his wish and have a chance to bat leadoff? Does Matt Holliday leave the No. 3 hole for the first time in five years? And where do young outfielders Randal Grichuk and Stephen Piscotty fit best?
While these and other questions will be sorted over the next seven weeks, as part of the continuing cardinals.com Spring Training preview package, here is an early projection of how that lineup could shake out, as well as a look at how roles line up on the pitching side of things:
2015 record
100-62, first place in the National League Central
Projected batting order (with 2015 statistics)
1. 3B Matt Carpenter:
.272 BA, .365 OBP, .505 SLG, 28 HR, 84 RBIs
2. RF Stephen Piscotty:
.305 BA, .359 OBP, .494 SLG, 7 HR, 39 RBIs
3. LF Matt Holliday:
.279 BA, .394 OBP, .410 SLG, 4 HR, 35 RBIs
4. 1B Brandon Moss:
.226 BA, .304 OBP, .407 SLG, 19 HR, 58 RBIs (combined between Indians and Cards)
5. CF Randal Grichuk:
.276 BA, .329 OBP, .548 SLG, 17 HR, 47 RBIs
6. SS Jhonny Peralta:
.275 BA, .334 OBP, .411 SLG, 17 HR, 71 RBIs
7. C Yadier Molina:
.270 BA, .310 OBP, .350 SLG, 4 HR, 61 RBIs
8. 2B Kolten Wong:
.262 BA, .321 OBP, .386 SLG, 11 HR, 61 RBIs
Projected rotation (with 2015 statistics)
1. Adam Wainwright: 2-1, 1.61 ERA, seven games (four starts) 
2. Jaime Garcia: 10-6, 2.43 ERA, 20 starts
3. Michael Wacha: 17-7, 3.38 ERA, 30 starts
4. Mike Leake: 11-10, 3.70 ERA, 30 starts (with the Reds and Giants)
5. Carlos Martinez: 14-7, 3.01 ERA, 31 games (29 starts)
Projected bullpen (with 2015 statistics)
Closer Trevor Rosenthal: 48/51 saves, 2.10 ERA 
RH setup man Seung Hwan Oh: 41 saves, 2.73 ERA (in Japan)
LH setup man Kevin Siegrist: 28 holds, 2.17 ERA