David Cobler: Hey Gordo;
With 3rd, 1st and catcher positions locked down, it seems to me the remainder of the feild could be up for grabs, which leads me to think the competition will be good within the Cardinals clubhouse, but leads me to question will it be good within the NL CENTRAL? There are just a lot of "IFS" to answer the potential of this team. Then to we have Albert already making a statement that leads me to believe he is not planning on playing the whole year due to his on-going elbow problems. So he may not be a lock at 1st base either.

Not looking at the pitching side of it, I just do not know what to expect from the squad on the field. From within the context of this statement, do you think this new Cardinals team will be interesting to watch or an embarrasment in the NL?

Thanks for your time here Jeff!!

Jeff Gordon: The team could go a lot of ways. All the ifs could go the wrong way -- the pitchers don't heal, the kids don't develop, Albert's elbow blows -- then this could be a terrible season. If all the ifs go the right way, the Cards could actually contend.

What is likely -- some of the ifs will pan out, some won't and the team will meander through a rebuilding year.

Marc Furtado: I have been patient, understanding and even supportive of Scott Linehan, despite what his record says (see Bill Parcells, "You are what your record says you are"). I expressed my strong reservations about his choice for OL coach, and now Madison Hedgecock comes out and reveals something very very unsavory. If you look at what people wrote about him prior to the draft, when he was still at UNC, you would have to agree that his assessment of himself is probably more on the mark than what the Rams organization had to say about him. This outburst buy a quiet, team guy and ex-ram did it for me. Linehan has to go.....

Jeff Gordon: Madison held nothing back, eh? People that know the kid say he is a straight-up guy. Those comments stung. Linehan's popularity rating has hit an all-time low.

Craig: Jeff,

Inquiring minds would like to know. When guys who are described as "quiet" start trashing Scott Linehan, does he even pay attention? Perhaps he hugs his collection of FOSL's for moral support.

Secondly, I live in the same town in GA where Mitchell Boggs played high school ball. I hear he'll be in camp. Does he have a realistic shot, or is a September callup more likely?

Jeff Gordon: Boggs is on the radar screen, but he doesn't have electric stuff. If he can put up good minor league numbers this year, though, he will be nearly first in line to get the call from the minors. The Cards don't have many other front-burner prospects.

Of course, Chris Narveson got to this point before breaking down. So there is work to do.

Ryan Wampler: In looking at teams that might be willing to trade an outfielder, one can't help but notice the Los Angeles Angels. What would it take to pull Juan Rivera or even Garrett Anderson from them?

Jeff Gordon: IF the Cards would sign another FA pitcher, the team could get to the end of spring training with a surplus there -- IF everybody else healed or stayed healthy. In that scenario, dealing an extra pitcher for another outfielder makes since. Right now, though, it is tough to consider such deals.

roger from lake tahoe: it looks like the nationals are looking for help at catcher and outfield. do they have any pitching that might make for a deal?

Jeff Gordon: They offered something like 35 invites to pitchers for spring training. They are scraping the barrel after the Cards scrape the barrel. So I don't see much happening there . . .