"A face of the franchise, Freese is also in many ways the nexus of the current Cardinals. He is a star forged out of a championship, the measure of the organization. He’s a Lafayette High grad and grew up cheering for the team. He came to the club from San Diego in exchange for Jim Edmonds, one of the heroes of the previous era, and he was in general manager John Mozeliak’s first trade. Now with Matt Carpenter, a third baseman by trade, starring at second base and prospect Kolten Wong rising to play second in the near future, Freese is in the vice of progress. As the Cardinals look to utilize the game’s top farm system, higher-priced players can be replaced.

“I see it,” Freese nodded. “I understand with our farm system there are a lot of options out there and directions the Cardinals can go.”"

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/freese-looks-back-and-ahead/article_13553f2a-7b8f-55db-8049-a9c488cb4497.html