Robinson is a step ahead in race for left-field job

JUPITER, Fla. -- After years of bench duty, Kerry Robinson is eager for his shot to become the starting left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Albert Pujols is moving to first base this season, now that Tino Martinez has been traded to Tampa Bay. That leaves a vacancy in the outfield. Robinson, 30, believes he's the man for the job and compares himself to the table-setter for the world champion Florida Marlins.

"I think I can be like the Marlins' Juan Pierre, play the outfield as a regular, be the leadoff hitter and score over 100 runs," Robinson said.

So far, he hasn't proven it. Robinson is fast but stole only six bases in seven attempts in 116 games last season. He hit .250 last season, has a lifetime .263 average and .301 on-base percentage. Still, he believes the numbers would improve if he played regularly.

Robinson is among many auditioning for the left field job as the Cardinals prepare for their spring opener Tuesday against Florida Atlantic University. Among the others: So Taguchi, who has shuffled between Triple-A Memphis and St. Louis the past two seasons; longtime Cardinal left fielder Ray Lankford; another former Cardinal, John Mabry; and Colin Porter, who hit .320 at Triple-A New Orleans and played briefly for Houston in 2003.

"Right now I would say Kerry has a step up on the opposition, but that step isn't much," manager Tony La Russa said.

In addition to speed, La Russa would prefer a left-handed hitter for a lineup already stacked with right-handers.

"The spot is wide open," La Russa said. "We are watching everything they do -- drills, defense, offense and base running. They have to put it all together and we will take the best player."