Cardinals GM John Mozeliak is getting plenty of unsolicited help from concerned fans, who fret every day the Cardinals don’t sign somebody or trade for somebody else. Here are some of their issues.

Q: If the Braves and SD do make the Peavy deal and shortstop Escobar is traded to SD,that means  Braves 2nd baseman Johnson is off the trade market. Who will the Cards look at then as the middle infielders they most want??
Who do you thank the Cardinals need at short and second for the 09 season to make the playoffs?? We need 1 more big bat. Without trading Ludwick!!! Any free agents big bats the Cardinals are looking at ??Any trades for a big bat the Cards are looking at??
If SD does get Escobar what player or players would it take for the Cards to get Greene??
Any chance we can get Jose Valverde from the Astros i here they want to trade him??

A: At second base, Johnson would be out of play if Escobar goes to San Diego. Lopez still in play for the Cardinals at second base and Renteria very much in play at shortstop. I don’t know if that combo gets you in the playoffs or not, but it is better than the Cardinals had last year. I haven’t heard Valverde’s name mentioned here.

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Q: The Cardinals  showed three disturbing trends last year _ the inability to hold a lead, the inability to get a starter into the seventh, and the inability to score runs late in games. So the team should focus on these problems before they should spend big money on a starter. D. Goold says we only have around twenty one million so spend. That’s not a lot in today’s market. We need relievers, another starter and possibly a middle infield bat. We should be able to land a couple of free agent guys and a Looper type starter. Then I’d like to see the team make a big play for Furcal. And it seems obvious that Mo will have to trade some outfielders. Still, it’s a big job to fill all those holes.
Commish - do you see the cards signing ANY front line free agent, and if so who?

A: I think teams are backing off Furcal because of, yes, his back problems of last year. Don’t be surprised if he stays with the Dodgers for one year and tries to establish himself again. I’m not sure what defines front-line free agent after Sabathia and Manny, but I can see them making a significant deal.

A: Percival broke down physically in several areas last year and also reportedly had some family issues in California, too, that likely  would preclude him from playing anywhere outside the state.

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Q: .hmmessage P { margin:0px; padding:0px } body.hmmessage { font-size: 10pt; font-family:Verdana } Dear Mr. Hummel,
I really enjoy reading the QA on the STL Today sight. It’s great to hear news on the Cardinals since I live all the way over here in Korea. I was recently watching the Korean World Series and some the pitchers I saw were pretty good. Do you think the Cardinals would ever look at any of these guys? I think St. Louis would be a perfect entry into the MLB. Great supportive fans, good atmosphere, a family friendly town and environment, and many more. I think the Cardinals should look more at Asian players since I believe they can get good talented players at a fraction of the price. What do you think?
Matt Schroeder
Bucheon, South Korea

A: Good idea. And, I think, with the World Baseball Classic coming up this spring, scouts will be watching not only the Japanese but Korean and even Chinese players, too.

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Q:
Hi Commish:

Man, to have such a high quality insider to talk to.  Yummmmm…  What’s wrong with the Cardinals filling their needs, middle infield, lefty RPs, and maybe a serviceable starter and then going with the kids.  I know that TLR doesn’t like to play youngsters, but the Marlins and Rays did well with youthball.  Do you think the Cardinals have enough young players to play the roles they need?  I think some folks might be surprised at how well they do with a HoF manager, and Albert leading the way.

A: Thank you. That might be precisely the way it shakes out. They don’t need an overhaul but they do need to fix up their bullpen and middle infield. If we knew how long it would be before Perez and Motte were really ready to close, this would be a lot easier, wouldn’t it?

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Q: The Cards need to use Whitey’s philosophy and get away from pitchers that routinely have arm problems. Peavy would be nice to have, but if he breaks down, which he probably would at one time or another, then the Cards are in the same boat. Give me another solid innings eater any day over someone who often gets hurt. Also, how close is Todd to making the rotation? Maybe we can do this in house. If Carp comes back that is a bonus, but I wouldn\’t count on it. I\’d also give Looper some serious consideration.

A: Todd probably a year away. No need to rush him yet. Looper would be a good get if the Cardinals don’t have to go any higher than two years.

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Q:

A: Lee, thank you. I took into consideration where the Cardinals player ranked statistically in club history and if a particular  team won a world championship or came close, largely due to that player’s contrbutions.

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Q: {font-size:70%;font-family:monospace;direction:ltr}What is your thought on Indians SS Jhonny Peralta.  He has never been
mentioned as a possiblity.  I know his salary is at $2.5 mil a year but I’m
not sure how many years he has left on the contract.  He is only 26, and has
above average power and is a terrific gap hitter.  He did cut his errors
this year and also topped over 100 RBI for the first time.

They have Choo and Sizemore as outfielders but it drops off after that.
What are your thoughts on him as a player and a possible trade for one of
our outfielders and maybe a prospect.  Any news on our 07 1st round pick
Pete Kozma?  Thanks and enjoy your blog.

Orlando Rodriguez
Fenton, MO

A: Thank you, Orlando. The fact that Peralta doesn’t make all that much money leads to Cleveland wanting to keep him although you always ask about talents like that. It certainly  would take a topflight outfielder and more to get him. Kozma progressed at Class A Quad Cities but surely is two years away, at least.

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Q: Commish -There are more reports that Roy Halladay may be available from Toronto.  I know the contract is high, but really not much higher than Peavy.  He also appears to have less of an injury history.  I believe his contract is only for 2 more years, so the injury risk should be less.  The front office always claims that the money is there for the right player, and I’m not sure you can get a better pitcher.  Would the Cards be interested if the price wasn’t too great in terms of players/prospects

A: Of course. But I don’t think he’s that available. I think Blue Jays feel they can be the Rays of this season in 2009 but would need Halladay to have that chance.

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Q:  Why is Kyle McClellan considered a better SP option than Mitchell Boggs? I understand that Boggs didn’t fare well against the Mets, but his track record as a starter is much much better then Kyle McClellan. KMac has never started a baseball game above A ball. Maybe my opinion, but I believe Boggs is grossly underestimated in St. Louis.

A: I feel McClellan is more advanced as a big leaguer, having had at least four months of success rather than four games for Boggs.  There may be room for both as starters in another year.

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