THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: The Blackhawks acted quickly and agressively when NHL free agency opened Wednesday, most notably inking Marian Hossa to a 12-year, $64 million deal. This comes on the heels of signing top free agent defenseman Brian Campbell last year. Already stacked with players like Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp, have the Blackhawks now supplanted the Red Wings as the team to beat in the Central division?

JEREMY RUTHERFORD
Chicago began that process even before the Marian Hossa signing. The Blackhawks were 2-2-2 against the Red Wings during the 2009-10 regular season, and even though the Wings beat the Hawks 4-games-to-1 in the Western Conference finals, two of Chicago’s losses came in overtime. Now Hossa and his 40 goals are moving to Chicago, and he’s bringing with him Tomas Kopecky, a nice young player. The Red Wings also are losing Mikael Samuelsson, who scored 19 goals last season

Chicago lost forward Martin Havlat, a big loss, and goalie Nikolai Khabibulin, who had a terrific season, in free agency; but if Hossa can play as well as he has, he should top the numbers of the injury-prone Havlat. And goaltender Cristobal Huet should benefit from being the definite No. 1 netminder in Chicago. If Huet can match what the aging Khabibulin did last year, the Blackhawks should be the team to beat in the Central Division next year.

TOM TIMMERMANN
Well, the last two seasons, Marian Hossa has been a good indicator of who will come in second place. I think it’s too soon to say the Hawks have passed the Wings. The Hawks have a lot of parts, but it remains to be seen if they all fit together. And as Sidney Crosby can tell you, there’s a lot of pressure that comes from the high expectations put on young superstars. I do think that Chicago is clearly the No. 2 team in the West, which makes the Central Division that much tougher for the Blues since they’ll have to play two very, very good teams a lot. Hossa hasn’t shown himself to be a savior the past two seasons — though this year the gap between the Wings and Penguins was pretty small — so I don’t know if he gets the Hawks over the Red Wings hump.

KEVIN WHEELER (Host of “Sports Open Line” on KMOX)
Not a chance. Detroit has won the division 8 straight years and losing Hossa isn’t going to change that much with the depth of talent they still have on that roster.

Besides, Hossa (40 goals, 31 assists, 71 points) is merely replacing Chicago’s 2008-2009 leading scorer Martin Havlat (29 goals, 48 assists, 77 points), who left for Minnesota in free agency. Hossa had 11 more goals than Havlat but had fewer points, though it should be pointed out that Hossa played in 7 fewer games than Havlat.

Oh and the Hawks lost goalie Nikolai Khabibulin, the guy that carried the load late in the season and in the playoffs. A team led by Cristobal Huet doesn’t exactly inspire me. The Blackhawks and Blues are getting closer to Detroit’s level but there is still ground to make up.

ANDY STRICKLAND (Hockeybuzz.com, KFNS)
In my opinion, the Chicago Blackhawks won’t supplant Detroit until they start beating the Wings in seven-game series, winning Western Conference Championships and, ultimately, the Stanley Cup. Last time I checked they have yet to do any of the three.

Obviously they have made some considerable strides over the past few seasons, they’ve spent money in free agency and have collected some impressive names, but with that being said, Detroit isn’t going anywhere in the short-term. Last time I checked Detroit just went to the seventh game of the Stanley Cup finals and are bringing back a loaded roster once again.

Chicago better find a goaltender or it really won’t matter who they have on their roster. Anybody believe Cristobal Huet is the answer in net? Martin Havlat was their best player in Chicago for much of the second half of the season and they replaced him with Hossa, who will receive nearly all of his salary in the first eight seasons of his 12-year deal. Chicago still has some important players to sign this season and moving into next year, and oh, by the way, the cap is expected to go down after this coming season.

I don’t get caught up in hype created by monster free agent signings, but I do recognize they are very, very talented and have a great coach. We have seen plenty of teams make a splash in free agency only to fizzle. Ask the Rangers or Philadelphia where that has gotten them?

THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: On the eve of Manny Ramirez’s return to the Dodgers I ask the following … do you think the average fan really cares about players using performance-enhancing drugs, or do you think fans just want to be entertained and don’t care about PEDs as long as their teams are winning and their favorite players are performing well?

RICK HUMMEL
I think many fans care about players associated with PEDs, but largely when they play for the other team. The more knowledgable ones will note that PEDs are not indigenous to baseball. But, in football, for some reason, a suspension for one-quarter of a season because of a violation of the drug policy, is treated much like a hamstring injury.

JEFF GORDON
I’d say most fans are pretty indifferent about PEDs right now. Most fans can figure out that abuse was rampant and that baseball is making a real effort to clean it up now. Some fans were turned off, of course, and some may have quit coming to games. But Manny Ramirez will get a mostly positive reaction when he returns to action for the Dodgers. The LA fans just want a winning team, like teams elsewhere. ManRam has been a force for that franchise during his brief time there, so most fans will rally behind him.

DAN O’NEILL
I think the latter part of the question is most true. Ultimately fans want to be entertained and want to watch a winner. They have become nearly immune to scandals, steroids, outlandish salaries, off-field shenanigans, etc. Do they frown on performance-enhancement, yes. Do they prefer players not use them, yes. Are they disappointed when the integrity of the competition is compromised, yes. But in the end, it’s not a make-or-break issue. If it turned out Albert Pujols was a user, would the majority of St. Louis baseball fans scorn him? C’mon. You know better.

REID LAYMANCE
I care. I get mad at the players and all of baseball for letting it go on for so long. I loved watching Barry Bonds play for the Pirates and even in his early years with the Giants. One of the game’s best. But in his final transformation in San Francisco (and despite his vows of doing nothing wrong), it has made it hard to still like the Bonds from the early years. Same with Roger Clemens, who’ve I seen play since high school. I still cheer for the players I like, but sometimes not as loudly. And that makes me mad. So I care.

KATHLEEN NELSON
Depends why you watch in the first place. I think fans who love Manny or enjoy the cult of personality don’t care much about performance enhancing drugs. I think fans who love baseball care that the use of PEDs damage the integrity of the game.

LUKE THOMPSON
I don’t think PEDs are a huge concern for the average fan. At this point, it seems like most people are getting tired of hearing about the steroid mess. Some are even attacking the media for blowing things out of proportion or speculating too much, while at the same time lashing out at them for not finding the original story sooner. For most people, the success of their team is paramount, and most fans are willing to overlook mistakes, especially when they can tell themselves things like, “Well, he had to do it to keep up.” But one potential problem that the steroid era created is that fans no longer have the same connection with players and respect for the sport as a whole. They can still root for their favorite team, but they may be less inclined to watch the Fox game of the week or a playoff series once their team is eliminated, because PEDs have distanced players even more from the fans who adore them.

THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: Yadier Molina led Atlanta’s Brian McCann by almost 400,000 votes at the catcher position when the latest N.L. All-Star voting results were released Monday. With two days to go in fan voting, it would appear Molina almost has this one locked up. McCann, while playing almost 50 less games, leads Molina in HRs and RBIs, plus he has a higher batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. Do you think the case could be made that McCann deserves the start in this All-Star Game, or does Molina’s defense outweigh his offensive inferiority to McCann?

JOE STRAUSS
McCann is unquestionably the stronger offensive player and Molina the better defender. McCann may also be on the team as a backup. There is something to be said about a player’s availability when considerations are made for the All-Star Game or postseason awards. Yadier’s brother, Bengie, is a superior offensive player as well and has been available to the Giants for the entire first half. Indeed, the question should be whether Yadi is more deserving than his older brother, who doubles as the Giants’ cleanup hitter and is the only NL catcher with more at-bats than the Cardinals’ Gold Glover. Bengie has twice as many home runs and 75 percent more RBI than his younger brother. It would be a compelling story for both Molinas to make the game. Their family has endured significant loss since last season, including their father. I’d have little problem with either guy starting. After being bruised by Michael Cuddyer’s hard slide last weekend, Yadi might be better served by making a cameo appearance in the July 14 game, no matter how much it “counts.”

DERRICK GOOLD
It’s not a difficult case to make at all. Start with this: Brian McCann may be the best all-around catcher in the National League. McCann has seven fewer hits than Yadier Molina in 45 fewer at-bats. He has more RBIs, more home runs and an on-base percentage that is significantly better. All that’s missing is playing time. He missed time with blurred vision earlier this season and that’s allowed other catcher’s to surpass him in the offensive categories that are usually his, and often his alone. Molina has the certain edge in hometown favor and defense, but defense isn’t the dent in McCann’s resume that it is for other catchers. He’s got the profile and the substance of an All-Star catcher. But as you look at the numbers and consider both candidates mentioned in the question, another answer emerges: Neither. My eye for the All-Star drifts west, to another NL catcher named Molina …

JEFF GORDON
Molina’s defense is so exceptional that, yes, he has earned the starting nod. He is the rare shutdown catcher. Nobody is picking runners off first base like this guy. Few catchers are as adept at getting the lead runners on sacrifice bunt attempts. And he controls the running game, too. And his offense is good enough to boost his All-Star credentials.

RICK HUMMEL
Sure, you could make the case that McCann should start, but Molina’s defense has been good and his average has been decent, albeit his modest run production. I have no problem with any player of quality being able to start an All-Star Game in the city in which he plays.

KEVIN WHEELER (Host of “Sports Open Line” on KMOX)
Sure, the case could be made for McCann over Molina, but it would be wrong. Catcher is the most important position on the field and a catcher’s defense must take a higher priority than his offense because of the nature of the position. The catcher is in on every single pitch of every single game he plays and while that is also true of pitchers, the guys out on the mound only have to “handle” themselves. The catcher has to handle the whole pitching staff.

Yadi is the best defensive catcher in the game and far too often defense is ignored in the MLB All-Star Game. It’s nice to see players recognized for the “other half” of the game — you know, the half where teams try to prevent runs from scoring.

THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: Should the Blues have traded for Chris Pronger knowing that they were just a few days away from buying out Jay McKee?

JEREMY RUTHERFORD
No. The price tag was simply too much for Pronger. The Ducks wanted a package of players and the names mentioned were Patrik Berglund, T.J. Oshie and David Backes. I would keep them and take my chances signing Pronger next season. The decision to buyout McKee came Monday, as the team tried to free up enough money to re-sign Mike Weaver and Brad Winchester, and a goalie in free agency.

DERRICK GOOLD
The bundle of players and picks Philadelphia had to pay to get Pronger borders on absurd, so even though a move for Pronger made so much sense for the Blues — especially with the release of McKee imminent — the p.r. and the performance just wasn’t worth that price. But buying out McKee leaves the Blues exposed to a bigger question. Now that they’ve alleviated some cap space on their payroll, how will they spend it? Will there be goals at the end of the stick they can now woo? Bring on the scoring forward. Because as swell as it would be for the Chattering Class to have Pronger back in front of the mics, ready for that red light to pop on, or back for another round of those screaming scrums in the hallway, the Blues don’t need a talker, even if he plays a mean blue line. They need scorer.

TOM TIMMERMANN
Every trade hinges on what the other team wants, and if the Ducks were looking for more than the Flyers gave up, that would be a pretty steep price. But even at a good price, the Blues might not “need” Pronger. (If he were free, then by all means …) They’re not replacing their No. 1 defenseman. They’re replacing their No. 5 or 6 defenseman. At that price, McKee was way overpaid. If you move Eric Brewer and Erik Johnson back into the equation, and maybe Alex Pietrangelo, pretty soon the words most associated with McKee would be “healthy scratch.” The Blues don’t need a high-priced defenseman. Pronger’s salary would also limit their ability to spend money on a goalscorer.

ANDY STRICKLAND (Hockeybuzz.com, KFNS)
When looking at the Chris Pronger situation, it’s important to understand one thing. Ducks GM Bob Murray was determined not to trade his largest asset, and one of the best defensemen in the world, to another Western Conference team. If you think the Flyers gave up a lot (which they did) just think what the Blues would have had to part with to acquire the greatest D-man in the history of the Blues organization. (Yes I said best D-man to ever play for the Blues.) I love how teams like Philly and the New York Rangers year after year chase the Stanley Cup only to get bounced early in the playoffs. The Blues are trying to build a Cup winner, not chase one. Do I wish the Blues were able to land Pronger? Absolutely. But it had be realistic in terms of what they needed to part with. The cap hit for the next two seasons for McKee is around $1.4, now they can go out and get another player for around $2.5 which adds up to the same $4 million number McKee would have cost if they had hung onto him.

KEVIN WHEELER (Host of “Sports Open Line” on KMOX)
No, not at the price that was paid to get him. The Flyers gave up three first round picks (2010, 2011 and 2008 1st rounder Luca Sbisa) and a 25-year-old Joffrey Lupul, who has 102 career goals. All that plus a conditional 3rd-round pick is too much to pay for a guy who makes a lot of money and can be a free agent after the 2009-2010 season. Heck, if Pronger doesn’t like it in Philly (wouldn’t that be a shock given the nature of the sports scene there) the Blues can try to sign him next offseason without having to give up a player.

There are deals I would have made to get Pronger, like a player off the roster and the No. 17 pick, but not what Philly parted with. He would certainly make the Blues a lot better for this season and I’m all for trading kids for impact players heading into a year where you expect to make the playoffs, but you can’t mortgage too much of the future just yet.

THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: The Cardinals made a long-awaited move this weekend in acquiring Mark DeRosa from the Cleveland Indians. With this team still hovering near the top of the NL Central and with a chance to win the division, do you think they are done dealing, or do you think there is still a chance they make a run at someone like Matt Holliday to fortify this lineup?

JOE STRAUSS
The Cardinals are not done exploring other deals but they may have bought some time. GM John Mozeliak said Sunday he will take the next couple weeks to assess DeRosa’s effect on the club and act accordingly. Five weeks remain until the trade deadline. The club may believe its greatest need is a pitcher. Should Troy Glaus go on a rehab within the next couple weeks, there will be additional willingness to wait. The benefit of acquiring DeRosa now is first his production, but also assessing where he fits best on the club. He appears slotted as the everyday third baseman with Khalil Greene returning to the DL. But should Glaus progress, DeRosa also becomes an OF option, freeing up chips to acquire a starter or set-up man. Holliday will apparently remain on the market for awhile given Oakland’s heavy asking price.

BERNIE MIKLASZ
Another move is possible, but Matt Holliday is probably too big of a fish to reel in next month. I wouldn’t be surprised if they pursued a starting pitcher to fill Todd Wellemeyer’s spot in the rotation.

DERRICK GOOLD
Adding DeRosa is clearly the move the Cardinals had to make — and make as soon as possible — because it keeps them in contention. It isn’t, however, the only move needed to cinch their intent to contend for a title. What they have done by adding DeRosa is put themselves in position to make a deadline deal with an eye on being better in August, September and then, in a Larry Walker-esque way, October. That includes — but isn’t exclusive to — monitoring the market for Matt Hollliday and seeing if the cost of doing business with Billy Beane drops as the clock ticks toward August 1. Pitching should also be on their radar. DeRosa fills a need. Now the Cardinals can look to augment. The bottom line is the, well, bottom line. Swallowing the remainder of DeRosa’s $5.5 million contract is palatable enough for the Cardinals that they still maintain that “payroll flexibility” to offer any trade-deadline fruit that hangs low enough some dry powder to land in.

GERRY FRALEY
Mark DeRosa batted cleanup on Sunday in his debut with the Cardinals. If that does not say the lineup needs one more bat, nothing does. DeRosa is a solid hitter, but he does not belong in the cleanup spot. He is an ideal No. 6 hitter, maybe with some time in the fifth spot. Given righthander Todd Wellemeyer’s struggles, the Cardinals are going to be in the market for another starter soon, if not already. Wellemeyer is 3-5 with a 6.32 ERA in his last 10 starts and has drained the bullpen by going five innings or fewer in six of his 16 starts overall. That does not fit with a contender.

JEFF GORDON
This team still needs more. If Ryan Ludwick, Rick Ankiel and Chris Duncan continue to struggle with run production, this team won’t have enough offense to make a serious playoff run. Perhaps DeRosa will take some heat off those guys and spur better production. We’re seeing a lot of poor at-bats in critical situations. It’s shocking, really, how badly some of these guys are hitting.

DAN O’NEILL
I would think the Cardinals are done dealing. The Matt Holliday trade never has made sense to me, especially if it includes Ryan Ludwick. Seems to me you’re trading very similar players, trading your only righthanded-hitting outfielder to get a righthanded-hitting outfielder. I think if the Cardinals get Lohse back, they are set with their club for a while, if not for the duration.

THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: Given what’s gone on in the NL Central the last few years, how many wins do you think it’s going to take to win the division this year?

JOE STRAUSS
The division lead now stands at 6 over .500. For arguments sake, let’s say the NL Central leader is 44-37 at the midpoint. That team would have to play .600 ball the rest of the way to push its win total to 92 wins. That appears unlikely within a division that is 10 games under .500 in interleague play.

If a team is going to go crazy, it will likely do so by pummeling its division rivals. The Cardinals and Cubs may be best positioned to do so. The Cardinals have played the Astros only three times; the Cubs have seen the Pirates only three times. The Cardinals so far enjoy the best intradivisional record by percentage points over the Reds. The Cardinals have ripped off three 5-game win streaks; the Reds have so far mustered a single 4-game tear. The Brewers are the Central’s streakiest bunch, having three 4-game win streaks and a 7-game tear. Those streaks account for 21 of their 38 wins. The Brewers also have a mere plus-5 run differential, suggesting pitching deficiencies. (The Cardinals rank behind the Dodgers and Rockies at plus 24.)

At its current pace the NL Central will go to a team winning 88 games. However, that is within a tightly bunched division where injuries have especially hurt the Cubs and Cardinals. Somebody will catch in the second half against a flimsy division.

My answer: 90 wins takes the division…

BERNIE MIKLASZ
I’m thinking 90 wins should do it. I assume that the Milwaukee Brewers will address their pitching woes; GM Doug Melvin is usually proactive about getting help for his roster. I assume that some of those key Cubs bats will heat up, and GM Jim Hendry is never reluctant to make a big move. It looks like a so-so division right now, but the Brewers, Cubs and Reds are capable of playing better. And at least one of those teams will take off and make a charge. That’s why it would be a travesty for Cardinals management to play stall ball and bank on other teams doing poorly.

DAN O’NEILL
The way things are going in the NL Central, I think 88 wins can win the division. The Cardinals appear to be a very ordinary team, yet they are leading the division. If they get Kyle Lohse back, if Chris Carpenter remains healthy and if Ryan Ludwick ever starts hittng, they have a good chance to be there.

JEFF GORDON
At this point, it would seem that 90 victories would be plenty to win the NL Central. Every team has flaws — and there is no guarantee that much help will be available in the marketplace next month. I still believe Ryan Ludwick and Rick Ankiel have more to offer, so the Cards’ front-end starting pitching and solid bullpen could get them to 90 IF the team avoids further injury.

THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: Oklahoma forward Blake Griffin seems to be the consensus No. 1 overall pick in tonight’s NBA draft. You’ve all seen him play in Big 12 action … do you believe Griffin will be a difference-maker in the NBA? Before answering, consider the last 10 surefire picks who went No. 1 in the draft:

2008—Derrick Rose, Chicago
2007—Greg Oden, Portland
2006—Andrea Bargnani, Toronto
2005—Andrew Bogut, Milwaukee
2004—Dwight Howard, Orlando
2003—LeBron James, Cleveland
2002—Yao Ming, Houston
2001—Kwame Brown, Washington
2000—Kenyon Martin, New Jersey
1999—Elton Brand, Chicago

BRYAN BURWELL
The NBA draft, like every other draft, is more inexact science than a guaranteed method for finding great players. But I have seen more than enough of Blake Griffin to believe that he will be an immediate impact player. He is a better athlete and a superior post player than Micheal Beasley, who has already shown that he is capable of being a 20-10 guy in the pros.

VAHE GREGORIAN
Seems to me there’s every reason to believe Griffin will be a fine-to-very good NBA player. But I don’t see him at all as a difference-maker along the lines of LeBron James or Dwight Howard among recent overall No. 1 picks. And that will be especially true if he indeed becomes a Clipper, where he’ll more likely be swamped than able to pull them out of the mire.

JEFF GORDON
Griffin is extremely agile for such a big guy, so he will be a solid NBA player. He can jump and he can finish. He is a mediocre free throw shooter, though, and he doesn’t have a “long” physical build, so there reason to doubt his potential as a defender and shot blocker. He dominated as a man among boys at the college level, so it’ll be fun to watch him evolve against more powerful competition. I don’t believe he is a sure NBA all-star by any means.

LUKE THOMPSON
Griffin still has some work to do before anyone compares him to the elite big men in the league, but he’s earned the No. 1 spot based mostly on his impressive performance (22.7 points and 14.4 rebounds per game), rather than potential. That’s what separates him from previous busts like Kwame Brown, Andrea Bargnani and maybe Greg Oden after a couple more years. Obviously, his strength and quickness advantages won’t be the same in the NBA as they were in the Big 12, but he’s dedicated enough and smart enough to find other ways to succeed. He needs to step up his defense and extend the range on his jump shot before he becomes an All-Star, but he looks like a solid starter at worst as long as the Clippers don’t ruin his career like they have so many others.

CARLOS AYULO
There’s no doubt that the overall No. 1 pick in the NBA draft has been a crap shoot the last ten years. But the Los Angeles Clippers get lucky for the third time with Blake Griffin falling in their lap. Griffin should help the Clippers contend for the eighth spot in the Western Conference playoffs next season, especially with Phoenix and Dallas on the downside. The Oklahoma forward can play the low post, has a decent mid-range jumper and should win Rookie of Year. Griffin could be a star and keep the Clippers competitive as he matures, BUT, there is always the fear that being drafted by arguably one of the league’s worst franchises may hurt Griffin’s long-term potential. As a history lesson, former LA Clippers’ 1988 No. 1 pick Danny Manning was an All-Star twice. Their other No. 1 pick was Michael Olowokandi, drafted in 1998. ‘The Kandiman’ is considered one of the worst No. 1 picks ever.

THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: Is there a specific area of need you think the Blues should address in the weekend’s draft, or do they just take the best available player at No. 17 overall?

JEREMY RUTHERFORD
The Blues have the No. 17 pick, but they believe they’ll get a player on their Top 10 list. That’s not an uncommon feeling heading into a draft. When the Blues drafted Patrik Berglund No. 25 overall in 2006, they felt they could get a player who was in their Top 15. They had to move up from No. 30 to do so, but they did it. Every team has a different list, so players you don’t expect to be available sometimes are.

The Blues don’t have a No. 1 (Erik Johnson) or a No. 4 (Alex Pietrangelo) draft selection like they’ve had in recent years, but they’ll get a good player at No. 17 . . . assuming they stand pat. Remember, T.J. Oshie went No. 24, Berglund went No. 25, David Perron went No. 26 in their respective drafts. Those three make up the youthful core of the team.

As far as this year’s draft, I believe the Blues will take the best player available, but they’re probably hoping its a forward. At some point, the Blues are going to trade one of their young forwards (not saying Perron, Berglund or Oshie, but somebody), and they’re going to have to keep the cupboard filled. So listen for names like RW Jordan Schroeder, C Scott Glennie or C Louis Leblanc at No. 17.

JEFF GORDON
They need to draft a forward. Which one . . . well, that is a toss-up, since nobody can predict how the draft will unfold after the first three picks. I’ve seen at least a half-dozen forward prospects linked to the Blues. Scorers, power forwards, skilled two-way centers — every description has been mentioned as possibilities for this team. Adding talent in any of these categories would be nice.

TOM TIMMERMANN
It’s unlikely they’ll get anyone who can make an immediate impact that far down, so I think it’s wrong to draft for immediate need. That being said, if there’s someone out there who has any kind of potential as a goalscorer, I say grab him. While Larry Pleau has told me one million times you can never have too many defensemen, if you can develop your own goalscorers, you save a bunch of cash and a lot of headaches on the free agency market. I say: Go for the offense.

DAN O’NEILL
Drafting at 17th, the Blues can’t approach things committed to filling a specific need. They have young forwards, they have young defensemen and they have young goaltenders. At the same time, they are a team that was eliminated in four games in the playoffs, so they can use help everywhere. I would be thinking forward, but I would be looking for the best player available.

THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina leads the N.L. All-Star voting at his position. Molina’s defensive prowess has long been known, but what are your thoughts on the plate discipline and production Molina is showing in his at-bats this season?

JOE STRAUSS
Molina is much improved as a hitter over three years ago. But with the exception of a recent 7-game hitting streak, his numbers have lagged since a scalding April (.333, 12 RBI). Molina is an above-average contact hitter but his plate discipline does not translate into walks. Relative to NL catchers, he is a “plus” offensive player. Only 2 NL catchers have scored more than 25 runs, only five have more than 5 home runs and only three have more than 25 RBI. Molina owns 6 extra-base hits and 11 RBI in his 150 at-bats since April, numbers that did not make him a good fit for a recent bump to No. 4 in the order. Many believe Molina could evolve into more of a power threat. However, Molina also carries a heavy load defensively, rarely sitting when healthy. One wonders how that wears on his bat.

DERRICK GOOLD
Molina is a pure contact hitter and that means he gets all the benefits … and drawbacks … of being able to put the bat on the ball even if it sometimes means throwing the bat at it. As a contact hitter Molina is difficult to strike out but his speed also costs him many hits over the course of the season. Saw that Monday as Molina put a ball in play on the ground only to give the fielder ample time to dive, stop, get into throwing position, complete a sodoku puzzle and throw him out. What will truly determine Molina’s success as a hitter — now that he has settled on a stance — is not his speed or his ability to put the ball in play, but his ability to put the ball in play sharply. Struck doesn’t always mean well struck.

JEFF GORDON
This is just the continuation of his development. It is hard to believe this is the same guy who floundered at the plate and constantly changed his stance earlier in his career. He doesn’t have the power of his brother Bengie, so he wisely uses all the fields. That he has become one of the toughest outs in the lineup is a testament to his work ethic and baseball acumen.

THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION OF THE DAY: The Royals chose to pitch to Albert Pujols with the bases loaded on Sunday and he responded with a grand slam. Only six players in MLB history have been intentionally walked with the bases loaded. Would you pitch to Pujols with the bases loaded?

RICK HUMMEL:
Always. Why give the Cardinals a run? Even at ..330, you get him out nearly seven times out of 10.

BERNIE MIKLASZ:
Pujols has four at-bats with the bases loaded this season. Result: three grand slams. Doesn’t that answer your question?

BRYAN BURWELL:
I hate the intentional walk. From a pure competitive standpoint it is a strategic capitulation. I hated it when they did it to Barry Bonds. I hate it now.

DERRICK GOOLD:
Yes. Because he’s only 3-for-4 this season with the bases loaded and in his career he’s just managed a .404 average with the bases brimming with ‘Birds. So there’s a chance. There’s a slim, itty, bitty, teeny chance that he does not produce the run you would be gift-wrapping with a bases-loaded walk. Besides, if you’re in a situation where your pitcher is facing Pujols with the bases loaded … it’s already too late. Why fool yourself. Face it: You’ve clearly had an epic fail in executing the plan on pitching to the Cardinals. Let the rest of the lineup have their whacks and then pitch around Pujols. Not the other way around, silly.

JEFF GORDON:
This depends on the scenario. Do I trust my pitcher to get the next guy? Late in a game, with two outs and a three- or four-run lead, I would walk in the run IF I had a strong reliever on the mound. Albert hits anybody, so walking him, even to force in a run, is a thought. But if your pitcher walks the next guy, too, or throws the sort of meat that Ryan Ludwick hammered in Kansas City . . .

Albert is a given. He hits in that scenario. We know whoever is hitting behind him is NOT a given. Every other manager knows that. With this bases loaded, though, a lot can go wrong if your pitcher can’t handle that pressure. Doing this with a shaky starting pitcher early in a game could prove disastrous.