Catman: Gordo,

Ankiel's best position is obviously RF. Since he is a liability in CF, what's all the talk about him starting there when the season opens? Aren't the Cardinals hiding the obvious that unless he totally flops in spring training, Rasmus will be the Cardinal's opening day center fielder?
When Brendan Ryan played SS last season he looked very good. His poor play at 3rd and 2nd led to his high error total. Won't he be the one to beat out for SS? Izturis can't hit his own body weight despite his defensive skills. In this line up the last thing we need is an automatic out!

Jeff Gordon: Izturis could hit .265 again, but with no walks and little speed. Even with that, Ryan could take that job at some point. Ankiel is OK in center, and then the team has Schumaker, Ludwick and Barton capable of playing there too. So Rasmus will have to earn his spot, not just wait for Rick to flop.

pdub: Gordo:

Sedrick Ellis, Glenn Dorsey, Chris Long, Jake Long, Darren McFadden (or anyone else)... who do you like w/ the Rams' first pick?

Jeff Gordon: I've been persuaded that Chris Long would be the best pick. But Mel Kiper Jr. I'm not.

Scott L: I know there are lots of reasons to be a fan of coach Murray, but a week or so ago he was quoted as saying something like if the team doesn’t make it in the playoffs it doesn’t deserve to be there. Can these same words be applied to the coach given the recent winless streak, and apparently solid if not spectacular team skill level.

Jeff Gordon: Murray holds himself accountable. The playoffs were the goal, but everybody knew it would take a push. Murray's winning percentage since taking over -- compared to the team's extending winning percentage under Kitchen -- speaks well of his ability. But he knows he has to find solutions. If the Blues miss this year, I'd expect major personnel changes and a big run at it next year. Then the pressure would shift to the coach.

Will Patterson: There is a lot of debate about who is going to bat leadoff in 08. Why is no one talking about Ryan. He seems to have all of the tools to be a good leadoff hitter. He has gap power, and he has some decent speed. I hear all this talk about getting on base being the number one priority. Look at Ecksteins on base percentage. It was not that great and we loved him.

Jeff Gordon: He could end up there. He has to zero in, clean up his baserunning and dedicate himself to making the pitcher to work hard (as Eckstein did). He has the tools. Like a lot of things this year, the leadoff spot is an open competition.

joie: Just a comment living on the East Coast and with the Cardinals visting Fenway again this year thought it would be a good chance to see my favorite team forget it the Cardinal games were the first to go to single tickets / SRO only and not only that the bus trip from a local company to the Saturday game sold out as well just shows though it could be a long year record wise this Cardinal team is still a great draw

Jeff Gordon: Cardinal Nation still stands strong!