Here we are less than three weeks from spring training and opinions abound on what the Cardinals should do to finish off this 2009 product. Some advised general manager John Mozeliak in a recent chat session and Mo had some answers, even some rejoinders.

Q: Commish, if Mo were to call me to ask advice (which for some reason he has not), I would caution him to remain above the fray. When you make decisions that affect so many so emotionally, measure your words with care. The exchange that occurred in his recent chat only cheapens the organization.
On to my real question, will the recent Glaus injury put even more fan pressure on Mo to make a significant trade? If he succumbs, who, when, and with which club?

Thanks, Mr. Hummel

Roger

A: I’m very OK with Mo taking questions on-line and he’s had some good repartee although I think he largely should avoid those questioners who are rude. A legitimate question deserves a legitimate answer. I don’t think there’s any more pressure due to Glaus injury because many fans are aware of the third-base depth in the organization.

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Q: Commish, if they get a lefthanded starter, which pitcher will it be? There is not much out there and we did not have a lefty in the rotation for the longest time. Also, will Motte learn a new pitch to go with his 100 mph fastball?”

A: I don’t think there’ll be a lefthanded starter unless Randy Wolf still is out there. This spring, they’ll try to refine a rough slider that Motte has now.

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Q: Commish, with the Cardinals’ lack of activity in getting new free agents this year, wouldn’t it make sense to bring back Looper? I heard he is asking around three years, $15 million, which seems affordable. At least keep your team as good as last year on paper.  This waiting things out may hurt us.
Also with Tony not having a history of giving the ball to the young guys unless all else fails don’t we need another guy with experience who has closed sucessfully?
Not Izzy! Any closers left? Why did ownership take so long?? They seem to be cutting corners or very patient. Which one?

Thanks,

Mike

A: The Cardinals won’t be giving anybody three years. If Looper is still there several weeks from now and would take two years at a rate the Cardinals deem modest, then maybe yes, although there is some thought in the organization that any of the following group _ McClellan, Boggs, Mortensen, Todd _ would be better than Looper.

Isringhausen probably won’t be back. If a temporary closer is brought in, it might have to be somebody like Chad Cordero, who has had some injury issues, or perhaps Ryan Franklin would be tried again as a stopgap. Management  is OK with Perez/Motte at the end of the game.   Tony isn’t, at least not yet. Patience or cutting corners? Probably more  of the former, but certainly a little of the latter.

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Q: Commish, I love the insight.  I have a quick question though.  With all the buzz surrounding Rasmus, Wallace, Freese, Motte, Perez, etc. is there any news on Peter Kozma?  It seems like a long- term solution is needed at shortstop.  Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Nathan.

A: Thanks, Nathan. Kozma probably is two to three years away, so they’ll need somebody after K. Greene _ unless they like K.  Greene enough to re-sign him or maybe Tyler Greene would be ready. T. Greene likely will get a shot ahead of Kozma, who is progressing, but not by leaps and bounds.

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Q: Thank you for your time.  Do you have any knowledge the course of action the Cardinals took when Glaus was injured _ up to his surgery?  If so, could you please document it chronologically?  I’ve been unable to find any reports on this and I, along with most Cardinal fans are confused about what took place from September until Mid-January.  Hopefully, you’ll be able to make some sense out of this mess for us.

Thank you,
Brian R.

A: Glaus was treated late in the season for some shoulder issues but nothing untoward was found in his exit physical. When he began working out with more diligence in December, he complained of some discomfort. He was examined in Florida and then given a shot. After the shot, discomfort remained and then the surgical course was chosen. It wasn’t like he was hurting all off-season and then suddenly decided to have surgery although it would have been better for the club and Glaus if the time line of most of the foregoing had been a month earlier.

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Q: Commish, any word if the Cards have any interest in B.J. Ryan?  I know he’s owed close to $22 million over the next two years, but considering how much the Canadian dollar has dropped, I would think the Blue Jays would be racing to dump as much off their payroll as possible.  Any chance they might eat a few million of his contract in order to be able to get rid of the $18-$20 million he’s owed?

Sincerely,

Brian

A: I hadn’t heard much about Ryan although he certainly has been a top-of-the-line closer when healthy. I would explore that if the Blue Jays are trying to dump him, but they would have to eat some of the salary and also not demand too much in trade.