Mr. Hummel - hope you have a great trip to Wyoming. The Big Horn Mountains are beautiful as well as the Powder River Valley. Maybe by the time you get back we’ll have that other lefty reliever. Who will it be?

Mr. Hummel, I see the cards signed a minor league contract with a thirty year old lefty from the Detroit organization. His AAA stats are very impressive. With the tigers need for relievers, why did our new lefty not get called up? Thanks Commish

dear commish,why did we send izturis packin ? I thought he was a solid ss.always put th ball in play.

How about this: I know Uggla (Dan) hasn’t been the slickest fielder in the game, but wouldn’t it be ok to sacrifice some range at second for some power as long as we had an above average fielder at short? What would it take to get him? Maybe Schumaker, Brendan Ryan, and maybe even Brad Thompson? They havent seemed to want to use Thompson for anything other than a fill in/mop up role. What could it hurt?

Mr. Hummel: I’ve never before sent an e-mail to Hall Of Fame Baseball Reporter. It’s a pleasure for me. I’m an old, old baseball fan. Erv Fischer was a good friend of mine. My Cardinal loyalty goes back to the days of Jimmy Brown, Ray Sanders, Ducky Medwick, etc. Here is my concern. For many years the Cubs philosophy was why spend money on players–the fans are filling the stands every day with the players we have. I’m afraid current owners may adopt that same philosophy because Cardinal fans are loyal and very supportive. I hope this concern does not come to pass. This stated philosophy of picking from “low hanging fruit” does not spark confidence relative to fielding a quality team. One question have regards the minor league talent. If they are as good as Vardinal management thinks they are someone has to go because there are not enough positions on a major league roster for such talent if they are as good as management thinks they are. What none of us do not know is the marching ordes Mo has from DeWitt. Management promised LaRussa they would make the Cards competetive. I hope they meant it. Thank you for your attention and best wishes for continued success.

Hi, Cardinal farm system has several players, especially pictures, on the verge. Maybe we should take the year to merge young blood with the old and be ready for 2010. Boggs was voted the top starter in AAA. Todd, Mortenson are not far behind, and Garcia will be ready in 2010. Anderson should either be traded or brought up mid season. I believe Mathers, Rasmus, and Jay are ready and should be on the roster by end of season. So there is no need to spend a lot of bucks on a starting pitcher, just beef up the bullpen. As much as I love Ludwick, check his 2nd half stats, and his injury history. Let’s trade him for a top knotch middle infielder while we can. We have plenty of outfielders. What do you think?

GO FOR BROKE and lock up Peavy for several years. Compared to other pitchers of his caliber he’s a steal, and he wants to come here. I have no faith in Carpenter returning. But a Wainwright/Peavy one two punch, with Lohse and hopefully Carpenter would make this one of the best starting rotations in baseball.

Besides- you pay
Loshe 41 million over 4 year for a
(career) 78-80 4.67
(last year) 1.30whip 3.78 ERA (his best)

why would you not trade anything but Albert and Rasmus to get
Peavy -
(career) 86-62 1.19whip .232BAA 3.25 ERA
(last year) 10-11 1.18whip .229BAA 2.85 ERA

This guy is a stud on a bad team, MO should work a deal.
Anyone remember how the D-Backs won with Schilling/Johnson or the Braves with Smoltz, Glavine, Maddux. It’s a no-brainer. Get three starters with Wainwright, Peavy and Carpenter and let TLR change the line-up every night and win with pitching.

It’s also the best thing to do fiscally. Give your team a chance to win 4 out of every 5 games - and the fans will hit the turn-style.

I even promise to buy a Peavy shirt.

Dear Commish,
Why is everyone talking about starting pitching, didn’t the cards blow a major league leading 30 saves? I believe the cards should go after K-Rod or even Kerry Wood to show that they do not want to loose the division because of blown saves. Don;t get me wrong Peavy would be awesome, but lets fix what cost us the division first!!!!!!

Commish,
Long time listener, first time caller as they say. Though signing Trevor Miller is not a groundbreaking deal, I think it is essential in solidifying the bullpen. He is a great improvement over Flores and we need that lefty specialist that can come in and actually not allow a runner to score. What does a deal not being completed because of ”language” mean? Should this be a cause of concern in finalizing the Trevor Miller deal? Also what do you think of the chances of the Cardinals resigning Villone?
Thank you sir,
John

Just FYI - that is not THEblindhomer that posted the previous message. It is an impostor.

Why do people continue to believe that the Cardinals could acquire
Peavy without giving up Wainwright in return. Do they think the
Padres GM is a secret Card fan?

We need to go after Kerry Wood. What are the odds. He would be a great setup man or even closer until the yonger guys are ready.

What would you think about the following scenarios and the chances of them happening? The Cardinals trading for Brian Roberts and what would it cost. Sign Renteria, that could give us two good veterans at the top of the order and also solidify the middle infield (if the trade for Roberts happened). This would allow our talented young outfield to hit from 4-7. Also what do you think about signing Ludwick and Ankiel to deals similar to Yady and Wainwright.

Mr. Hummel, good day to you sir. Have been a Cardinal fan for some time and watch the off season with great anticipation but many questions. (will appologize now this runs a little long) Trever Miller is a good start, and I believe another good LH reliever is very important, aside fron Manning, and including Manning. We keep hearing names like Beimel or Rhodes and Reyes, all good LH relievers, I feel we would need at least one of these along with Miller, and Manning to make our LH relievers strong enough.
As far as starting pitching, I would say that Carpenter could be another Mulder for us, no offense to either of them ,Carpenter is a quality starter without a doubt, but you can’t go into next year on an assumption he will be able to perform all year. Lohse,Wainwright, Wellemeyer had good numbers last year, all with ERA’s under four,unfortunatly Pineiro had a 5.15 ERA, and I’m sorry that just doesn’t cut it as for our starting rotation. I understand Cardinals management wanting to wait to hear how Carpenter is coming along, but if he doesn’t , or even if he does, and is ready for spring training, will he be able to go the distance? The big names (and with that the big $$$), Sabathia,Sheets, Lowe, Burnett, Peavy are just out of reach due mainly to their salaries, or what they need in return.But how about a trade, we seem to have a pretty good farm system at this time and some major league players that would fit well with other teams. What about a LH starter, for instance Danks with CWS, or Maholm with PIT? Or Hernandez with SEA, or Billingsley with LAD (yes I heard he broke his leg, but say he should be ready for spring.) All had quality starts last season ERA’s 3.32, 3.71,3.46 and 3.14 respectivly . Of course those teams would have to want to make them available for trade, but since Bay left PIT its my feeling that maybe we could trade an outfielder and possibly one or even two other players that would complement their team. I’m not a huge Colby fan, some think he is ready for the big leagues, if he is I think he should start for another team.( PIT does have McCutchen up and coming!!)so maybe add Stavinoha AAA or Shorey AA, who have both put up some good numbers in their respective leagues , as backup) Brendan Ryan, man he gives you 110% out in the field , PIT could use a good backup at SS, or I believe I keep hearing PIT is getting requests for Jack Wislon? If they do trade Wilson ,Ryan would be a good fit.PITs other starters Duke, Snell, Gorzelanny, only Duke has an ERA under 5.00, Snell @ 5.42, Gorzelanny was at 6.66, so what if we included Pineiro, he had a 5.15 ERA.? Don’t want to give up the farm , But a quality LH stater would be a hugh benefit to the team. Ryan, Colby, Pineiro and maybe Stavinoha, or Shorey.
I think our outfield last year, Ludwick, Ankiel, and Schumaker were a great match for our team, come on Ankiel or Colby?? Hands down Ankiel is the better of the two. Mather and Duncan as backups. Danks would be a harder pickup. The White Sox have a good starting lineup, in fact Danks had the lowest ERA @ 3.32, Buehrle, Vazquez, and Floyd had ERA’s of 3.79, 4.67 and 3.84 respectivly. Not much we have that would make that deal, but we have to dream sometimes…!! Hernandez, here again starting pitching, Washburn, Silva Rowland-smith, Batista and Dickey, ERA’s 4.69, 6.46, 3.42, 6.26, and 5.21, Pinerio would possibly replace one or two. SS, Betancourt decent numbers, (they have Triunfel in the minors), Ryan, or Hoffpauier AAA, or Martinez AA. SEA may be able to upgrade at first base, Phelps is gone but Washington, with more playing, would be a choice possibly over their Cairo, or Hamilton AA down the road for them. Aside from Ibanez and possibly Suzuki, their outfield isn’t very productive. Sorry but here again Colby would make a nice upgrade to their outfield. And then there is LAD, didn’t they refuse their option on Berroa, and Garrciaparra, and Furcl are free agents? They do have Lung-Hu, but not much playing time, what about Brian Barden, he could be a possible starter, or good back up if they trade for a SS, Barden and Ryan, give them some experience in the majors? What about some backup at 2nd base, Kent is a great asset to their team however getting up there in years, and $$$ maybe they would be interested in Martinez AA, Hoffpauier AAA, or Rowlett AAA ? Guess there are many combinations the Cardinals are lookng at, at each position.
The other positions that we lack productivity is our middle infield I like Lopez and Miles, but would retain them as backups, Lopez probally makes just a little too much for that role, but as full time he really doesn’t upgrade at either position
Have heard ATL will maybe move either Johnson, or Escobar, but not both, either would be an improvement. Yet I don’t believe Vizquel, Guzman,Berroa, Cora,Cintron, Rentria or Everet would improve SS enough, nor Carroll, Easley,Grudzielanek, Iguchi, Loretta or Punto at second. All their numbers just don’t upgrade their positions enough. Kent, Durham,or Hudson, are way too pricy, and Garciaparra, Furcal also, if we have the money to spend on any of these, then we should have money to for one of the quality starters!! Aside from Johnson and Escobar, we should probally look for a trade somwhere. The Florida Marlins have one of the lowest salaries if not the lowest in the National league and will probally need to dump some salary soon?. Uggla,or Ramirez would be perfect.(would they trade both..not likely) but either would greatly compliment our middle infield. Uggla with 33HR, 92 RBI’s,5 SB. Ramirez, 33HR 67 RBI’s with 35SB. Uggla only had 13 Errors, while Ramirez had 22!! Ouch But you know I would probally give up an additional 11 E to get 30 plus HR or 30 plus RBI’s and with Ramirez, the SB would greaty improve our running game. Kinsler with TEX-18HR,71RBI’s,26SB or Cano with NNY 14HR, 72RBI’s, or Young with TEX, 12HR, 82RBI’s or Jose Reyes from the Mets, 16HR, 68RBI’s 56SB ( a leadoff with 56SB ) ? All would be exectly what we would be looking for , but of course come with a price. But again I feel with our farm system and major league players that would be available, that we could put a trade together, someone just needs to sit down and look at the possibilities. Nothing against Cardnal managment, they are the guys, but I don’t think they really know the frustration their fans go through. I feel Mr. Mozeliak jumped the gun last year with Pinerio, so I understand his reluctance to move too quickly, but the clock is ticking, and the notion about the economy slowing down and there will be avalable players because of it? The winning teams will make their deals and we will have the middle of the crop to choose from and sir, that just isn’t good enough. Look at the Cubs geez got to playoffs last year and are doing everything they can to upgrade even a first place team, resigned Dempster, with Zambrano, Lilly and Harden, their only problem is Marque,same as our Pinerio. I hear they are looking at Mark Teahan,27 from the Royals, 15HR ,59RBI’s,who playes OF, 1st or 3rd., and the Cardinals are still “working on Language” for the last three day…on our first try????
Boy thats frustration.
Again sorry for the length of this opinion, I’m sure you have better things to do, and are more aware than I of the possibilities avalable. Appreciate all you do and GO Cards!!!
Regards greg feeney

Mr. Hummel,
Thank you for giving fans the benefit of your wisdom and experience. Based on the rumors we’re hearing and the reports here on StLToday, the Cardinals front office seems set to repeat the same mistakes. Case in point: 1.) It appears they will depend on Carp to be healthy next year, despite their disastrous experience with depending on rehabbing pitchers the past couple of seasons; 2.) We’re hearing that it is likely that Izzy will be brought back as closer and no one is reporting any efforts to sign a closer through FA or trade. I don’t understand why the Cards would want to take these chances when they’ve blown up in their faces recently. What if Izzy is signed, has a good spring training and then falls apart at the beginning of the season again? We will be in the exact same spot we were in last year, with no one ready to step into the role effectively and no chances of being able to trade for someone until July, if then. I don’t understand this thinking. Is it just being cheap? Misplaced loyalty? Or something else? What is your opinion of what the FO is thinking? And I also don’t get the movement for bringing Renteria back. He is getting old and his skills are declining, as evidenced by his stats the last couple of seasons, I believe. I’d rather bring Izturis back than roll the dice on Renteria. We aren’t going to be getting the Renteria of old back, so he’s a crap shoot. I thought this team wanted to get younger, but instead they are looking at signing veterans in their 30s. As usual, the Cards’ actions don’t match their words. Thank you for your time.

Hi Mr. Hummel;

It looks as if Edgar Renteria is set to sign a 2 year 18 million dollar contract with the SF Giants and Rafael Furcal has been offered a 4 year, 48 million contract with the Oakland A’s. That leaves Orlando Cabrera as the most attractive free agent out there who has yet to sign. Will these signings, (if they hold true), likely to push the Cards into a trade with Atlanta for Escobar or have they let the SS boat drift away because they did not move fast enough or aggresive enough to secure Renteria? Is the Renteria signing a blow to the Cardinals middle infield scheme?

Thank you Mr. Hummel

Given the Cards’ penchant for picking up “scrap heap” starting pitching, particularly guys who were once highly-regarded. . . what are the odds that they take a flier on Freddy Garcia, Tony Armas Jr., Carl Pavano, or Jason Jennings? If any of these guys are healthy, they could likely be signed cheaply and could thrive in the Dave Duncan School of Pitching.