Commish, Buster Olney at ESPN wonders if the cards are scaling back payroll this year. Though noises from the front office, including DeWitt, say scaling back would begin a dangerous downward spiral. However, this management is notoriously closed mouth. It’s tough to pry information of any kind from them, particularly medical info. Do you think the cards will make any more off season moves, and if so what moves do you anticipate? Do you put any credence in Olney’s speculation? Thanks Mr. Hummel.

Hello commish. The Cards could use some help both in the starting rotation and in the bullpin. Smoltz is a free agent and can fill either role. Would the Cardinals have any interest in him? Mabie a one year deal? Also, is there anybody who can be called up from AAA who could fit at second base? I know Freese and Wallace are both concidered third basemen and mabie too big to play 2nd, but one guy comes to mind when I look at their size. Jeff Kent. In your opinion who is the better hitter, Freese or wallace? Your thoughts please.

Hi, Commish: Thanks for having this blog for us. With the current situations with the Rams and the Blues, this is the best suicide prevention hotline in town. To my mind, Peavy could become “low hanging fruit” if Mo is “patient”. I think San Diego has to get rid of his salary. Right now, San Diego is still fishing, but in the end, I think they have to take the best deal they are offered, even if it isn’t what they want, and it is obvious that they are not being offered what they want. Of course, there is the possibility that Mo might not have enough “dry powder” left when San Diego gets to the point of a salary dump. What do you think? Would the Cards take Peavy if the price in players was very favorable, but his salary caused them to go over their budget by 5 or 6 million dollars? Thanks.

Commish. Any PITCHERS left on the free agent market that the Cardinals thank would help us win in 2009?? If so who @ are they really trying to get him?? I know we have to manny outfielders BUT any chance Manny Ramirez price would get low enough on the tree for the cardinals to try to pick say for 1 year?? Pujols,Ludwick,Glaus,Greene Ankiel or Rasmus with Ramirez. WOW!!!!!!!!! What a line up!!!! THANK YOU!!!!

Commish. Who are the type A free agents left on the market that would coast the Cardinals a 1st round draft pick if they signed them?? NO chance the Cardinals would try to sign a type A free agent so that would let us Cards fans know who we are NOT going to get.

Bryan.. You post here a LOT. Blogs need regular readers and good on ya for being one. Rick’s commentary is nothing short of fantastic, especially during the long winter when we all are craving baseball news. However.. please at least use the word “think” in place of “thank”.. just a suggestion. Now here’s hoping this late night White Castle I am eating right now doesn’t make me regret it tomorrow morning. And my apologies to the other readers of this blog if my comment here seems out of line.. but somebody had to say it!
PS - would love to see Carpenter as closer.. NOT wainwright though. Our starting rotation is anchored by him. Carp, if able to handle the warming up almost every night, would be great for that role. But I also hope that he can start again. I don’t think we can really rely on him for either, so that means we have to sign a guy or let Perez or Motte have a crack at it. I am leaning toward the latter, but wouldn’t hate it if we had a gap filler (like Hoffman maybe?) until those two have another year of seasoning.
And PPS - I am no Commish, but I can tell you that Peavy is not going to be a Cardinal next year. They are already committed to three pitchers for multiple years. No chance they will make it four. Mo has already made that pretty clear. It would be nice though, assuming he is healthy. Happy New years everybody.. be safe out there.

Hello Mr. Hummel;

The hotstove league has cooled. How long do you see this “BEARISH” baseball market lasting? When/if the “BULL” comes back do you think it will run past the Cards, or do you think the Cards will still be players?

Thanks Mr. Hummel, happy holidays to you and yours.

I am astounded that anyone would consider trading duncan, ankiel and skip for a prospect, no matter how good he may become. Assuming they are healthy - which admittedly may not be all that good an assumption with Chris - I’d see those players as bringing something else of use to the cards. Namely Ichiro - the best leadoff hitter in the game in front of Albert leads to wonderful speculation.

That would save the M’s money and give them a starting 1B/DH, a CF and a replacement RF. I’d be willing to toss in a fourth prospect (Parisi?) for ichiro where a 4th prospect for an unproven would just bring on the Big One ala Fred Sanford.

As for Morrow being cheap and thus not available, I suspect that is correct but wonder why it is that Ryan Ludwick keeps showing up as someone they are shopping. After all he is cheap and talented too. If I were GM, there is one player I can think of who I would trade Ryan for straight up - David Price - and no others. Price is more proven than Morrow for sure and such a trade answers a big need the Rays have for a RH power bat. Of course they are trying to trade the lesser stuff on the back end of their stockpile of pitchers to get that bat, but I wouldn’t allow it to happen.

Obviously, neither of those are likely to happen though either could happen if both sides were viewing needs and surpluses properly. Oh well, it is the off season, I am allowed to dream. And while dreaming, if I could pull off both of them, I’d try and get Manny signed for 2 years by whispering Albert and Manny back to back, championships, LA isn’t trying hard to get you just trying to save $, etc. What a lineup that would be - even kennedy should see serious improvement hitting 2nd after Ichiro and before albert/manny. Heck, I’d like to take that spot and I’m old with broken knees.

Dear Mr. Hummel,
Thank you so much for answering our questions. It’s nice to have some new things to think about during the long offseason–and this offseason seems interminable so far! Here’s my question: In a recent article in the P-D, Mo said that he had filled the positions that were necessities and anything else they do this offseason is an upgrade. How do you interpret such a statement? Should we assume that there will be no big (or even moderate) moves made the remainder of the offseason? I would expect the team to pick up another starting pitcher, though with Penney being signed the other day it would seem they might need to get moving on that–but am pessimistic about them getting a closer. Do you think this is a fair assessment? Thanks very much!
Lynda

Dear Mr. Hummel,
This may seem like a stupid question but why have GMs/owners let agents, like Scott Boras, have so much control over the pace of the FA market? It would seem like putting a time limit on offers would prevent them from dragging things out–say yes or no, and move on. I’m just curious about the dynamics that have developed over the past few offseasons. I can’t imagine that the players like not knowing where they will be playing until just a few weeks before spring training. Thank you.
Lynda