Joe Strauss: All right, we're a little late this week due to wading through the tsunami of interest in what Cardinals GM John Mozeliak had to say. Even though he's butting into JSL!!! time, the ChatMeister has to give it up for a guy who declined a chance to give live when things were going well in April but takes quesions after the team loses six of seven. I don't know of another GM who engages his fan base in a similar forum. Of course, there is no forum like Joe Strauss Live!!!, as those of you addicted to Wednesday's at 1 p.m. can well attest. OK, let's move past the organizational spin cycle and into some hard-core, down-and-dirty exchange of ideas. JSL!!! isn't here to provide what you want. JSL!!! is here to give you what you NEED!!! So let's get it on!!!

Catman: O Wise Chatmeister,
I'm sure glad that your "cup half empty" optimism exhibited at the beginning of this season hasn't effected the Cardinals! As long as the starting pitching continues to excel and our BA with RISP is in the top half of the NL, do you see the Cardinals winning the NL Central?

Joe Strauss: The ChatMeister never made an advance booking to ride shotgun on Bill DeWitt's '08 World Series float. (I couldn't. FSN toastmaster Jim Hayes already had reserved the seat.) Who would dare point out the concerns of a team that defied expectations to roar to a 2 1/2 game lead over an improved NL Central? What party pooper would cite an inefficient offense that had no trouble placing runners on base but plenty of trouble scoring them? And how dare someone suggest the starting rotation might not carry a 2.50 ERA through an 162-game schedule? Hey, I still believe this team is better than most expected during spring training. But I also maintain it is a reach to expect it to overpower the Chicago Cubs, a legitimate 90-win team, or even the Milwaukee Brewers. This team faces some serious challenges, as the recent road trip revealed. Next...

RJ: Joe Joe JOe:
How can we continue to live with a closer with an ERA over 6????

Joe Strauss: Last time I looked, Ryan Franklin's ERA stands at 1.80 and Russ Springer's at 5.63.

Dave Mustain: Joe, What is it like to be so adored by Cardinal fans? Only we mere mortals can only imagine.
Yes, Joe, it is early in May. But yet, from what I am seeing I firmly beleive they will be in contention the entire season. The Cardinals' largest issue is going to center around the closer role. To Izzy's crdit, he is willing to let Tony do what he has to do untill he hopefully gets strainghted out. I have zero problem with a closer by committe because I think they have the personnal to do it with and do it well. Any comments?

Joe Strauss: The view from Olympus is fantastic, Dave. The problem with a closer-by-committee is that each night's uncertainty can make a manager more reluctant to pull his starting pitcher. With a defined closer, other roles are defined as well. With Isringhausen in dry dock, La Russa is working with a short bullpen, a tough thing to do when your team is constantly playing close games. The Cardinals are 1-3 since Izzy left the role. A case can be made that two of the losses were influenced by his absence. Believe me, you don't want the current situation to remain the status quo. For reference: the 2003 season.

de-vo-59: HI JOE IAM A CARDINALS FAN FOREVER QUESTION WHY IS TONY LA RUSSA SO AGAINST GOING WITH MIKE PEREZ?????

Joe Strauss: Probably because Mike has been retired since 1997 and hasn't pitched for the Cardinals since 1994, when he saved 12 games. However, Chris Perez remains a future possibility while gaining experience at Triple-A Memphis. Mike Perez turns 44 in August. Who knows? By then the Cardinals may have interest.

drelboc: Thank You Joe;
Thank you for all you do for us Cardinal fans. Your efforts to get John Mozeliaks second appearance in this chat forum is very telling of just how much YOU care about delivering the best for us fans. Your efforts and expertise help us fans to stay closely in touch with the team we love. Perhaps Mo should recommend you to be placed on "DEWALLETS" payroll. ;>)
My comment to you Joe concerns the shake up of the Cardinal bullpen. My heart goes out to IZZY. It seems to me this man deeply cares about his game, his team and the fans. I would bet he feels all alone right now and distanced from his team and fans he loves. It's easy to cheer for a guy when he's going well. IZZY needs our support now. This guy is not a quiter. It takes courage to stand out there and continue to perform after you've blown a lead. When he steps on that diamond back in St. Louis I'd love to see the SPIRIT OF JACK BUCK at Busch through an erupting standing ovation from the GREAT Cardinal fans. .
With that said, my question is; do you think some of his blown saves are due to having a fear of failure due to his recent tough outings? Do you think his mental makeup is lapsing for fear of failure or are his machanics flawed?

Thank you once again for your time here Joe! You are truly the Pujols of sportswriting proven by your efforts and delivery to keep us Cardinal fans informed!

Joe Strauss: You were doing so, d'boc, until you made the payroll suggestion. Izzy's problems are described as primarily a crisis of confidence that has developed over the last three weeks. He has publicly doubted his cut fastball and curveball, which pretty much leaves him naked. Watching his body language, I can see how some might draw the conclusion that he is expecting a bad outcome. TLR and Dave Duncan have not provided a timeline for his return to the role, which goes to the depth of the problem. I'll be honest here: It's every fan's right to boo any player he or she wishes. But barring injury, Isringhausen has been among the game's most efficient closers since arriving in St. Louis in 2002. You would think the best fans in baseball would save their wrath for those who gave an appearance of indifference. Isringhausen is shut down partly because of his belief that he is killing an otherwise overachieving team.

Jack Renard: It appears to me that the Brentwood/170 interchange plans show an exit from EB 64/40 that would function like a south "outer road" leading to Hanley, as well as allowing a loop to the right back to WB on Eager. Am I reading the plan right? If so, will this exit cross Brentwood at grade or on another overpass just south of the main lanes of 64/40?
Thanks, Jack Renard

Joe Strauss: Jack, you obviously meant to forward your question to the Traffic chat down the block. But since I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night, the ChatMeister would describe the whole project as a roller coaster to hell. Atlanta has Spaghetti Junction. Brentwood has the Linguini Loop. I hope you didn't send your Izzy questions to the Road Crew, Jack.

Snowkid: Truth time: does TLR have the guts to trade Duncan? Regardless of what he says, Duncan is definitely not an outfielder and never will be (not a criticism, just a fact). He would be better off on another team as a 1B or DH.

Joe Strauss: TLR does not make trades. Mo' does. The question was posed to Mo' on today's chat. You can get it from the GM's mouth (or at least his index fingers) there. However, it sounds as though you already have the answer S'kid.

hoot45: With Izzy's unfortunate meltdown in the bullpen, do you see an urgent need to bring Chris "Bluto" Perez up to The Show right now or can we hold off until later in the season?

Joe Strauss: The current arrangement will be tried for a couple weeks. If it fails and Isringhausen does not make progress toward returning to the role, Perez' chances will increase. Sure, the thought is interesting. But I'm sure Baseball's Best Fans realize that closing at Triple-A and against major league hitters before 45,000, a regional television audience and a press box full of ink-stained wretches are two different things. Many are assuming a positive outcome that is speculative at best. Perez may be the future but many remain unsure whether he is the immediate future.

Harvey Watson: Fair Chatmeister: I haven't seen so many people left stranded since the plight of the Cuban boat people. It seems like the Cardinals left the bases loaded about twice a game on their recent road trip. Have they all forgotten how situational hitting works? Do you see any possible solutions to their LOB headaches?

Joe Strauss: You must have heard that a recent stat sheet listed the Cardinals LOB as: Flotilla. The inability to generate a big inning is surprising given a lineup that Albert Pujols considered the most powerful he has seen since arriving in 2001. It is obvious that teams are no longer willing to challenge El Hombre with runners on base. No matter Ludwick's numbers, he will be attacked before teams challenge Pujols. Hal McRae believes Pujols needs to be protected by two, not one, hitters. That means the two hitters behind him must do consistent damage. Get Glaus/Ludwick/Ankiel hot, and matters may change. However, the absence of another "impact" bat causes teams to point to the No. 6 hole.

Chris Rizzuti: Chatmeister Supreme,

Greetings from Todd Wellemeyer's Alma Matter Bellarmine University.

I am having a friendly debate, and neither side is budging, so I figured I would get the opinion of the god of Cardinal baseball knowledge to weigh in on it.

I know this is VERY premature but, if Mulder's option is not picked up for next year, and with all the money comming off of the books after this year, do you think the Cardinals would and/or be able to make a serious play for C.C. Sabathia, or do you think they will just go after 2nd and 3rd teir starters like in the past and wait and see what we have in the minors?

Thanks for JSL!!!!!! it is the best thing about this site.

Joe Strauss: It appears the Cardinals are philosophically disinclined to commit more than three years to a starting pitcher. Sabathia may be pitched out after heavy use (241 IP in '07) the past several seasons. Given the recent physical problems encountered by Carpenter, Mulder, etc., I doubt the organization will reshape its policy to accommodate Sabathia. Pineiro is signed next year; Wainwright is a keeper. Carpenter will be back. The club may project one if its own (Parisi, Garcia, Wellemeyer) as fifth starter while seeking a Lohse type for No. 3-4. I don't see them breaking the bank for another starter.

Brian, Columbia, MO: Joe,

Maybe I am outta line here but, I really feel like Sir Albert is not fulfilling his role as team leader and resident superstar during the late innings of close games. Specifically, here's my beef.....Albert refuses to expand his zone when his team needs a run late in games. He's willing to take chances on the basepath late (look no further than his 2nd to home dash in Colorado for evidence) why not at the plate?

Last nights extra inning loss to the Pirates is a perfect example. Albert comes up in the bottom of the ninth with 2 outs and the winning run on 2nd and doesn't even take the bat of his shoulder. He took a strike and watched at least 1 hittable fastball just off the plate.

Now, don't get me wrong I am a huge Pujols fan and admire his trust in his teammates and have been impressed with his plate discipline this season but, I would rather seem him strikeout than walk in this situation. He's "The Man" for the Cards, it's his job to be the hero, or goat. Especially this season when he's surrounded by inexperienced players who will probably swing at the first pitch when they come up with the bases loaded and 2 outs in the bottom of the ninth a la Ryan Ludwick. Way to make that Pirate's rookie pitcher work in his major league debut Ryan Ludwick!

Am I being to hard on El Hombre?

Joe Strauss: I think you're riding him a bit hard. If anything, Albert has expanded his zone recently. Last night he knew the Pirates were likely not going to pitch to him. (The first offering was low but called a strike.) If he believes a team is going to all but intentionally walk him, El Hombre is not likely to fish. As it happened, Albert did get a pitch in last night's ninth inning at bat. If he swings at a marginal pitch, he's selfish. If he takes a walk, he's selfish. Instead, Ludwick received a pitch he believed he could drive only to pop up. Safe to say, the lack of chances this season is frustrating El Hombre.

jeffj: The loss to the Pirates on Tuesday night has been so typical of this team and Tony's strategy. Ludwick flies out on the first pitch with the bases loaded in the ninth against a marginal pitcher. Tony brings in Villone, a lefty, in the 10th to face tough right handed batters, and he blows up. It was like watching a car crash in slow motion and not being able to do anything but watch and cringe.....

Joe Strauss: The pitching moves are a byproduct of Isringhausen's role change.

Troy in Florissant: Mr. Strauss,

Despite the early sparkling play, I still viewed this year as a transitional one. I would like to see the team play the season with the future in mind. The "Izzy era" has run its course and I would like to see Chris Perez up to see what he can do. Obviously, the closer of the future is not on the current roster. What do you think about bringing him up and breaking him in carefully with a mind toward him closing games in 09?

Also, I have some philosophical questions for you? How do you view your role as a Hall of Fame voter? What are your opinions on the "Steroid era" poster children like McGwire, Sosa, Bonds, Palmeiro, and Clemens? Do you think that the Hall quality has been somewhat watered down? It seems like a slippery slope when a "good not great" player is elected.

As always, I appreciate your participation and candor.

Joe Strauss: Should the team slip from contention, Perez may receive the exposure you seek. As of now, I have no intention of voting for known steroid users. I was not on the Kirby Puckett bandwagon when he achieved induction on the first ballot. (Albert Belle did not receive 5 percent his first time and is no longer eligible via the writers' vote.) The Veterans Committee, not the writers, is primarily responsible for watering down the Hall. Don Sutton and Phil Niekro won more than 320 games apiece but didn't get in until their fifth year. If 75 percent of my brethren put a player such as Bonds in, I believe he serves as precedent. Just as allowing a player such as Bill Mazeroski in affects the standard, so does inducting a 'roid user. It would be more difficult to exercise a blanket veto if Bonds (or Clemens) is voted in. It's why I've long maintained McGwire's best chance for entry is for Bonds to be voted in.

brad: Why does tony stick with used up veterans like valone, jeff tabaka, izzy , and larue as examples ,instead of trying some new blood hitting 300 + or sub 3 era in the minors? Also it seems the cards had a mini stroke in 2006-07 giving extensions to mulder ( hurt probably never to pitch well-again) , edmonds ( clearly in decline), and carpenter ( he may or not be as effective as before plus paying him 2 years for little or nothing)and spezio ( enough said) . This creates a lot of dead payroll for this year.
thanks

Joe Strauss: I think your first question is rhetorical but I'll address the second. Signing Mulder, Edmonds and Spiezio seemed to be a Gratuity Tour of sorts for winning the World Series. Edmonds wanted only for the club to assume his option for '07. Ownership pushed for a two-year deal. Edmonds would have been insane not to accept a $19M deal. Mulder baffled me at the time, as did Spiezio. A pitcher with a damaged rotator cuff and a utility player do not seem to represent unique value. Obviously, others who had just constructed a world championship team felt differently. You are correct that the club is paying for some of its past contractual sins.

Dustin: The Chat Mange!

Which one of the young arms from AAA gets brought up to the big league club first?

At the start of the season it sounded like Perez, not it seems Motte and Garcia are throwing their way into consideration.

Appreciated!

Joe Strauss: I assume it's based on need. Garcia would fill a LH vacancy. Perez, not currently on the 40-man but only minutes from catching a flight to Milwaukee last Friday, is closer insurance. Motte is in only his third season as a pitcher after converting from catching. He is the most likely to wait.

Tackleberry: JSL,

Tough week for the Cards between JSL outings. The club is averaging just 4 runs a game in May, that is not good. While this club is young and exciting, it is also very dependant on a lot of unproven bats over a 162 game schedule. What do you think this team would gain with a little more consistency in the line-up? I think all the shuffling of the batting order does more harm than good.

Joe Strauss: More consistent time for Ludwick in the No. 4 spot may be warranted, though he is a high strikeout guy. The fan base said it was ready for "young players." Glaus is not young but Ludwick and Ankiel have relatively little exposure at this level. This is what it often looks like. In recent seasons the Cardinals have employed Reggie Sanders, Larry Walker, Jim Edmonds and Edgar Renteria in the No. 6 slot. Yadier Molina (.283) and Adam Kennedy (.287) are enjoying better years at the plate. But neither has driven in more than 55 RBI since 2001. The spot is even more critical with the pitcher hitting eighth. Somehow, all the navel-gazing over the pitching hitting in the No. 8 spot has missed this element.

Rob: Hey, Joe: As a Cardinal fan living in St. Petersburg, I really have my eye on this weekend's series with the Rays. The Cards struggling at the moment, and the Rays on a roll, what's your take on the series?

Joe Strauss: My take is that the Rays may be the best team the Cardinals will have seen this season. This is a brutal scheduling stretch for the team -- 32 of 51 games on the road; a West Coast trip; interleague play against an athletic, solid pitching team (Tampa) and two three-city road swings. If the Cardinals emerge from this stretch 25-26 or better, they should be considered legit.

Tyler: Thank you for taking my question Mr. Strauss!!!
Your boy Rick Horton hit the head of the nail with a sledgehammer last night. Saying that (this so great, mighty, and intelligent) Cardinal Nation has criticized Jason Isringhausen more in his time here in St. Louis than any other cardinal in the last twenty years. Blasting of Izzy is non-stop by St. Louis people. Sure this might be the most he's struggled without being injured really bad, but lets not forget in 2006 he appeared in 59 games with a ERA of 3.55, converted 33 of 43 save opportunity's, which ten blown is a hefty amount, but his total hits and total strike outs were the same as 05 and 07, the problem was the BB's and HR's!!! All of this was on a hip that when the Dr.'s got in there they were blown away at how tough Izzy was. The man is tough. Now let me really hit Cardinal Nation with what they think isn't a quality closer. By the way I'm only going to reach back the last three years because that’s all that is needed. In 2005, (Izzy appeared in 63 games with a 2.14 ERA. Saved 39 of 43 games. That year he was healthy, and kept the ball in the ballpark and had 11 less walks. Same amount of K's as 2006.) In 2007, (Izzy appeared 63 games with a 2.48 ERA, and saved 32 of 34 games. Hits and runs scored similar to 2005, and once again the key to 2007 was he was healthy and his BB's and HR's were kept down compared to 2006.) No I am not trying to argue that Izzy is having a great 2008, I am simply pleading my case that Cardinal Nation, yes you the fan is completely way to hard on Izzy, always has been. People talk of McClellan, Franklin, Flores, Springer, and whoever else to be the closer, in Colorado I believe your boy McClellan loaded the bases, got a big K, than Flores not so good, Izzy gives up two hits from their mess and its the end of the world. Yes McClellan is nasty but if Izzy is out there he’s the man until he totally just can’t do it anymore. Izzy could go on to have a terrible 2008, but his years here are justifiable by the numbers. Especially justifiable when you compare to the rest of the league, that’s the key, no closer is perfect, look around the league. In the two years of 05 and 07, when people still didn't like him: (71 saves in 77 opportunity’s) that’s lights out people!!
Thank you Joe!!!

Joe Strauss: Hugo Chavez has apparently immigrated to the US and is a Cardinals fan. Your Izzy manifesto is posted here for all to agree with or despise. You make some sound points. However, the larger one now is Isringhausen's productivity. The club does not seem confident in a quick turnaround. It is very difficult to imagine a surge without a productive Izzy.

Hal: Dear Chatmeister:

Have you ever seen more ridiculous positioning of the Cardinal outfielders, They seemingly bunch every hitter and leave a plethora of acreage available down the lines and even normal right and left field (A freaking ground ball between third and short went for a double last night).

Has Duncan's opponents spray hitters charts been demonized or who is in charge of outfield positioning. Thanks for your insight on this troubling trend.

Joe Strauss: Part of positioning relies on the pitcher. If he pitches against the defense, all the spray charts in the world don't mean a thing. It was interesting Monday that Glaus was almost standing on the 3B line when Skip Schumaker was playing deep and toward CF. Xavier Nady doubled in the 9th off Franklin but did not score.

Matt C: Where is the favorite poker room of JSL?

Joe Strauss: Commerce Club; Commerce, CA... JSL!!! is currently open to negotiating an endorsement deal with any of the local houses, however.

Richard Waite: I have watched almost every game this year and have really noticed Troy Glaus pulling his head up on every swing he takes. It is kinda difficult to hit the ball when you are looking at the sky when the ball crosses the plate. Am I the only one that notices this? It seems it would be an easy adjustment to make for most hitters and an obvious pick-up for any hitting coach.

Joe Strauss: I'm sure Hal McRae and Mike Aldrete will take note since both are doubtless avid JSL!!! readers.

jtynes: Joe,

Thanks for taking time to answer our sometimes poignant but all too often absurd questions. Mine relates to the medical staff. Why so many players who encounter an injury, are prescribed a couple weeks rest and treatment, and then two months later he needs season-ending surgery that jeopardizes the next season as well (see Role, Carpenter, Mulder, and now, Tyler Johnson)? And then several of them go elsewhere for opinions and surgeries. Is there any organizational skepticism about the medical staff? It seems there has been much more time lost than saved by their hopeful remedies.

Joe Strauss: I'd love to answer your question, JT, but the Cardinals no longer allow their medical personnel to have contact with the media. That alone only causes questions like yours to fester. Tyler Johnson was shut down on March 4 with what was described as a "minor" tear of the rotator cuff. Many of us consider those terms contradictory. What was first called a brief shutdown morphed into surgery today. It's hard to rebut your suggestion when no one is allowed to address the issue.

Matt: Joe,

Your thoughts on Jimmy Ballgame patrolling center for the Unlovable Losers?

Joe Strauss: It's pretty ironic since Jimbo long complained about difficulty seeing the ball under the lights at Wrigley. If your recall, it's one reason TLR played him at first base one night when El Hombre sat.

Larry Harnly: I asked John Mozeliak to critique Post-Dispatch coverage of the Cardinals. I would like to give you equal time. Single out the one area in which management could be more forthcoming in their handling of news. Does it have to do with medical issues?

Joe Strauss: I really doubt anyone outside 900 N. Tucker St. really cares. Remember, we're only here for the free food and to snag autographs.

Hickory: Joe - Outside of the lines, how would you describe Glaus? Clubhouse guy, fire in the belly??? He looks too non-chalant much of the time (other than when slamming his bat down after a K). I'm pulling for him to get on a roll, but am just wondering what kind of role he fills with team chemistry.

Thanks Joe!

Joe Strauss: Glaus arrived with a mixed reputation for dealing with media. I can honestly say he's been stand-up ever since arriving. He does not embrace steroid questions but has not dissed anyone seeking answers about his difficult start to the season.

Ted: Joe,

Has there ever been a position coach named to the Hall of Fame? Is there any possibility that Dave Duncan could be nominated and elected?

Ted

Joe Strauss: Position players and scouts do not receive consideration, which some believe to be an injustice. I've been fortunate to cover Duncan, Ray Miller and Leo Mazzone. All enjoyed tremendous success. All oversaw multiple Cy Young Award winners. Question: If you make coaches eligible, what makes a Hall of Fame 1B or 3B coach? What about a bench coach who pushes many of the buttons for a laid-back manager? I can see how addressing one issue would create several others.

B-Ball Fan: If Yadia is suspended, does Anderson get called up. Who is the emergency catcher if LaRue goes down ? Miles ????

Joe Strauss: Teams may not replace a suspended player on the roster unless that player is placed on MLB's suspended list (e.g. Mike Cameron). It's likely that Molina would appeal. When the appeal is dropped or ruled upon, the Cardinals would likely option a player to promote someone. That becomes complicated because the Cardinals do not currently list another catcher on their 40-man roster. Molina's Monday strip tease could have some interesting aftershocks.... The Cardinals could gamble if Molina is suspended for one game, starting LaRue and using Miles as an emergency backup.

adam_cruts: Joe! It's your world, baby - I'm just a squirrel trying to get a nut! Quick question about what seems to be everyone's buddy Jim Hayes. Why does McLaughlin, Hrabosky, Horton, etc, all seem to give Hayes so much trouble on the air. I even noticed some of your past comments have also said something about him. Maybe I just don't pay attention to him as much as the Cardinals in general, but what am I missing? Obviously something since everyone brings him up so much! Thanks!

Joe Strauss: Hayes is a good guy who enjoys the back-and-forth. He also co-hosts a somewhat edgy, mildly entertaining local morning radio show where grab-a** comments are often exchanged and the ChatMeister occasionally appears as a ratings boost.

Joe Strauss: OK, sports fans, that's going to be a wrap on 3 1/2 hours of Cardinals chat. I hope you enjoyed your hour with Mo. Agree or disagree with his answers, you have to applaud his availability and honesty. Your interest in JSL!!! remains off the charts, testimony to your intelligence as well as the ChatMeister's penetrating wit and wisdom. The last week's been a bumpy ride. It's interesting how the tone of questions has changed. Did the Cardinals play their best ball this season in April? Perhaps. Are they as offensively lost as the last week would suggest? Probably not. The true read lies somewhere in between. As long as this "transitional" team remains in contention, the fan base should enjoy the ride. Stay tuned for further developments. Thanks again for your participation.