John Mozeliak: Good afternoon, and before we start I would like to thank you for opportunity to chat...I will try not to disappoint and I know Joe follows and he will be free to second guess any and all of our exchanges. Let's get it started!

Wing: Mo -

Any interest in Furcal at SS next season if the Dodgers don't resign him before he hits FA?

Are there any potential trades to look at for an upgrade at SS or 2B? Or, what is your take at ways to upgrade at that position? Should we expect to see a move made there?

Bernie Miklasz: Without speaking on specific players, I do believe that is one area for improvement. I think when you look at our club one place I felt we could get more offiense was from our middle infield. I do think it is about having the right compliment with offense and defense, but I do think there could be a way to improve.

redbirdswin: Mr. Mozeliak,

Thanks for going beyond your GM duties and answering questions from the fans. It is very gracious of you and shows a lot about your character.

On to business - Is Jeremy Affeldt on your radar for a LH bullpen spot? He is durable, puts up solid numbers, and could emergency start ala Brad Thompson if need be. I'm wondering if a multi-year deal for Affeldt could be in the Cards?

Bernie Miklasz: Clearly we need to improve our bullpen from the left side, and if we can address that in the free agent market that would be great, if not we will consider a trade.

Ralph: Are you looking to make significant improvements in the roster prior to the Winter meetings, or do you feel it is beneficial to wait until the Winter Meetings to make moves?

Bernie Miklasz: Good question, I do think there will be reason to be aggressive on the trade market and patient on the free agent market. My thoughts here, people are concerned with the economy and how it will effect the free agent market (time will only tell), but trades will gain steam and we need to be prepared to act if it is in our best interest.

BG: John, payroll is always a huge topic this time of year and there are different ways payroll gets referred to; opening day, year ending, and total cost with benefits, incentives, bonuses, etc.

Struass mentioned an $111 mil payroll last year(2008). We've seen stories that suggest a $100 mil or so for 2009. Last year Mr. DeWitt said the team could go as high as $110-115 mil for 2008, based on 3.2 mil attendance.

I guess my questions are, is the $111 mil accurate for this year and does that represent all player costs included or just player salaries? Does the $100 mil or so include the total cost or just salaries for this coming year?

And finally, "IF" the $110-115 mil Mr DeWitt spoke of for last year was player salaries only... why would payroll be lowered all the way down to $100 mil for 2009?

Seems in recent years there were reported offers to Burnett and Schmidt that would have taken the team payroll to that $110-115 mil level anyway... why lower it now?

Sure seems that an extra $10 mil or so would make your job a little easier.

Bernie Miklasz: Your numbers are close, I do not publicly address our payroll however as you stated it is well documented. It is also true that it is accounted for in diffferent ways, I will say that all in for 2009 will be close to '08, but the most important strategy for me will be to allow from some flexability.

dave cobler: Good afternoon Mr. Mozeliak; Thank you for appearing here in this chat. I commend and admire you for mingling with us fans, especially since we can be pretty hard on you and Mr. DeWitt at times. And thank you for answering some or all of my questions.

Cardinal baseball is my soap opra. I have followed the Cards year round since 1964.

Can you give me a preview of what you want to get done this winter?

Do you think you can get done what you want to get done?

Can you tell us fans the number one position on the field you would like to upgrade and who you are looking at that might best fill that need?

As you know, the Central division is pretty tough. Is it a fair question to ask if the "09" Cardinals will be a contender or just a team that competes because they over achieve?

Thanks again for being here today. It is very much appreciated! And thanks to the PD/JSL!!! for making this happen.

Bernie Miklasz: Our outline for addressing our off-season will be fliud but I do think when you look back at '08 there are areas that need to be addressed. So starting with LHR's and then we have to factor in the middle infield and the status of Carpenter. When you wtch the post-season and seeing the starters it is a good reminder of how important that is, so we will also take a close look at that market as well.

Your correct the division is strong and will likely get stronger, but I always believe that you need to worry about your own team and not what others are doing. We have a strong core and we can improve.

John: Is there any new news on Carpenters prognosis and when or if he will be ready, if he is not how much will that change your goals for this offseason, if he is not ready we need another pitcher, middle infielder and relief help. How do you rank those needs when you are looking at free agents or at the trade market

Bernie Miklasz: I just answered this one, but it can not be taken lightly with how we gauge Carp's status.

The Pastor: MO,

I love having a GM who will talk with the folks! Good job! OK...here we go: At the All-Star break, we were in solid contention. We knew our bullpen was a mess--our greatest weakness as a team. Perhaps, this is a bit simplistic, but it would seem that if we had acquired a strong reliever or two, we could have played in the post-season. Would you concur? If so, why did we not pony up for a deal that would have helped us this season and beyond? I have to admit, I expected something of substance from our front office to give legitimate help--and felt a bit disenfranchised when it didn't happen. Two questions: 1. What is the bottom line for why nothing of significance happened? 2. Will this same type of thing again be the story of this off-season, or can I expect legitimate help in the bullpen before Spring training? By the way, I respect the difficulties of the challenges you face...I just hate to see a good team not make the playoffs when we might have been only 1-2 quality players away.

Bernie Miklasz: 1. Because the players we focused on were not traded, and I believe it was not because of what we were offering.
2. It is a different time, you can play in two independent markets free agency and trade...so I do think we will address our bullpen.
Open commentary: Much has been made on our lack of effort or unwillingness to move prospects. This has little truth but I cannot control what is written or said, this ownership, coaching staff, and front office strive to win and we will continue to make that commitment to our fans. But it is also my obligation not to make a mistake just to appease people who want deal for the stake of saying we did one.

Larry L'Heureux: Will the Cardinals consider bringing Renteria back for 1 or 2 years? I think he would welcome an opportunity to return to the Cards and would be another right hand bat that could be counted on to hit .270 and drive in 70 runs. An offensive upgrade over the 20 RBI Itzuris produced. He should come relatively cheap compared to a Rafael Furcal.

Bernie Miklasz: Without speaking on specific players, we will look long and hard at the free agent market.

Ron Kinder: I am a long time Cardinal fan living in Colorado. I have observed you from afar and I must tell you I am absolutely UNIMPRESSED with anything that you have done. You think we can win with the type of bull pen we had and thanks to Duncan we had decent starting pitching, but you sit on your Butt and don't help them when we had a chance. We need your predessor back who at least had some guile and did something rather than you sitting on your hands saying, "Be Patient". I love the Cardinals and we should not be put in the situation that you have us in. Get off your fat Butt and do something for God's sake. Keeping Chris Duncan in left field is an absolute disaster waiting to happen. Go after the Rockies Left fielder and give up some of the pitchers we have. And whatever you do, build a bull pen!

Bernie Miklasz: Thank you for your kind words, and you may want to start looking closer than from a far...I'm not fat. But as for your brilliant ideas, I hear you and will consider them even though you show distain for me. Hey nothing personal, best Mo.

Ten Rings: Mr. Mozeliak,

I have a couple of quick hit questions for you:

1) If you were forced to name which of the OF's (Ank, Luddy, Schu) were most marketable, who would you choose?

2) In general, do you have any idea how the trade market sizing up to be across all of MLB? Do you expect to see a lot of trade activity as opposed to high free aqency signings?

Only about 110 days to Spring Training!!!

Bernie Miklasz: When you look at our OF depth and what we could possibly do in a trade, we have to remain open minded. Trade market vs. free agent market, simply put this is a better year for free agents and our ecomonic world has changed so you may see teams trying to unload large contracts.

drelboc: Mr. Mozeliak;

Fact or fiction;

Can you give us any scoop on Colby Rasmus? How many dog houses does he really have? If the rumors are a fact, what are his chances of being in the Starting lineup on opening day? POOR, FAIR, GOOD?

Truth or myth;

Is Colby Rasmus a clone of J.D. Drew as far as being a great prospect that is "plagued" with injuries and therefore injury prone?

Thank you!

Bernie Miklasz: Fact, if he shows up in shape and has a strong spring, then you will watch him wearing a St. Louis Cardinals uniform.

Myth: I can only think of one injury in his playing a career.

Ross: Are there any surprise players in the system that might make the big league squad in 2009?

Bernie Miklasz: Don't rule out Tyler Greene, he is having a strong Arizona Fall League.

Steven M.: You haven't made a gut trade since taking the job of GM, have you ever made a move without the written consent of DeTwitt? Or do you just use one of those magic 8-balls? Anyone can sign their own free-agents, do you plan on actually doing any work this winter that a MLB General Mgr would do? Or, just like at last year's trade deadline, do you plan on lying to the fans and doing nothing?

Bernie Miklasz: Magic 8-ball, if were that easy.
No credit for Lohse...I see how you play. Just take your ball and go home.

Herrin Redbird: How can you in good conscience tell Cardinals fans you will be looking for "low-hanging fruit" this offseason? Do you not think a fourth-place team with the fan following of the Cardinals deserves better? I'm not saying that a bargain bin player can't be productive every once in a while, but you are conditioning fans to expect that to be the norm. Shame on you for not aspiring to do better!

John,
Herrin, Illinois

Bernie Miklasz: Sorry Sir, but I was simply saying that I felt there we be areas we can address quickly and then focus on the bigger or more difficult task later. It is a about priorities.
Aspirations have always been high, and I'm well aware of where we finished.

Tom: Hi,

Thanks for the chat, and for all of your hard work to put the best team possible on the field. I've been very happy with your decisions.

Joe Strauss recently mentioned in one of his chats in regards to upgrading the middle infield that we should expect a SS or 2B to come via free agency and the other to come via a trade. Was the Chatmeister accurate?

Thanks,

tom

Bernie Miklasz: Thank you it is nice to read a positive question, but with regard to JSL he is never accurate...only kidding.
As stated earlier there could be many different ways to address this and we will have to let the free agent market open before we have a firm grasp of how we best handle this.

Delaine Landrum: Dear Mo,

I've been a Cardinals fan my entire life and I do get tired of all these teams getting the top free agents. While I believe we have the money to spend, I know we won't do it. The needs I see are team speed and a hitter behind Pujols as well as another starting pitcher. I personally am tired of seeing lack of team speed. Do you have any plans of getting us some speed and a hitter behind Pujols?

Bernie Miklasz: I agree and if there is a way to address this I'm interested. I think it is under valued, but speed can change a game.

Don Ford: Adam Kennedy requested a trade last season. Do you need to move his contract before you can pursue other options at second base?

Bernie Miklasz: Adam has requested we explore a trade and I will look into it. But at this time it would be difficult, this one may take some time.

Andrew: At what level in the system do you anticipate Brett Wallace starting the 2009 season?

Bernie Miklasz: Wallace will likely start at AA, but we will let spring training happen first

Cardinal70: Do they install the thick skin when you become GM or did you already have it? I'd think it'd be tough to deal with the irrational fringe of the fanbase.

Bernie Miklasz: Actually I'm very sensative and struggle sleeping because of the media and negative words. Just kidding, I understand the dymanics at play here and I know I will never please everyone. I can appreciate fans passion for wanting to win and I'm driven by those same desires.

ramses: Mr. Mozeliak,

I understand that it is difficult for you to answer certain questions, but so far your answers on here have been fairly vague. I do not mean that as an attack, but I'd like to know why Cardinal fans should believe we are going to see action this off season. I love the kids and don't want to trade the farm for a short fix, but we've heard the rhetoric for a few years now. We are too close to stand pat - again. Please give us some specific hope.

Bernie Miklasz: I don't mean to be vague but as we sit here today there are many differents ways to change the face of our club. I don't want to state something today and then change directions in a week. This is a process and even the best laid plans may need to be adjusted.
I agree we are close and I want to see us get to October.

John Mozeliak: Thank you all I wish I had more time as the questions were well thought out. I will beg Joe to give me another shot at this just prior to the holidays unless he deems me unfit. I have been informed he is not Live after this one, so there is a brief moment of silence.
Over the next few months things will be fun as we prepare for '09, we have a better starting point than a year ago and my entire staff is looking forward to the challenges that lay ahead.
Enjoy the off-season! Mo