Finding solutions

While the offseason nears its end, there are still several contending clubs that have some glaring holes on their rosters.

Whether it comes through promoting a player from the minors or picking out of the bargain bin of what remains in free agency, these five clubs each will need to be creative to get production from a roster spot that could prove problematic in their chase for a playoff spot in 2012.

St. Louis Cardinals: second base

Last year, St. Louis used a rotation of veterans at the keystone position, giving the majority of the playing time to Skip Schumaker, Ryan Theriot and Nick Punto. Theriot and Punto have moved on, however, and Schumaker is better served in a utility role. For a veteran team coming off a World Series, there will be temptation to just stick the veteran in there or look outside the organization, but the Cardinals should stay in house and give Tyler Greene an opportunity to show what he can do on a regular basis.

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