therealdealankiel: Gordo,

I hear you, but the only reason I have even considered the thought of Manny coming back is because it seems the 2 year $40-50 million is no longer on the table for Manny. I thought I heard 2 years $30 million. Manny doesn't need money, we all know he is on an ego trip...which is why I see him taking less to play in a place like STL, where he would have a great shot at a title, on a one year deal.

However, there are very few teams that can spend on Manny, and in the above scenario, he would have alienated 2 of them in one year's time (Boston and LA). That would leave him on next year's market trying to land a gig with NYY, LAA or NYM.

Jeff Gordon: The concern with Manny is that if you get him cheap, he will play cheap -- he will act offended and be all pouty. He is moody, to say the least. If he feels like he is not respected, look out.

Griff21: Is Mather back to 100% i think he missed some time late last season with a wrist injury

Jeff Gordon: The diagnosis was pretty good when he had the procedure done. Off the top of my head, I haven't heard any concerns about it.

Leecard: Do you think Wallace will be in the starting lineup in St. Louis sometime this year? I know it is hard to know now, but what does your gut tell you? He seems to have some special talent.

Jeff Gordon: Starting lineup? I wouldn't say that, but I would expect him to mix in by September anyway. Can he field well enough to play anywhere but first.

Mike: Thanks for answering the questions. Why do you think the Cards weren't more interested in Jake Peavy? Do you think something like Ankiel or Ludwick for Peavy would have been enough for the Padres, and if so do you think that is too much to trade for him?

Thanks.

Jeff Gordon: San Diego demanded quality young starting pitching, good enough to help right away. The Cards didn't have a lot of that.

Joe Stafford: Jeff, what free agent centers are available this year? The Rams could use a more beefy line.

Jeff Gordon: Again, from Scout.com:

2008 Team Signed Team
C 1 Jason Brown UFA 4 6-3/320 North Carolina Baltimore
C 2 Matt Birk UFA 11 6-4/309 Harvard Minnesota
C 3 Jeff Saturday UFA 10 6-2/295 North Carolina Indianapolis
C 4 Brad Meester UFA 9 6-3/300 Northern Iowa Jacksonville
C 5 Richie IncognitoUFA 4 6-3/305 Nebraska St. Louis
C 6 Tom Nalen UFA 15 6-3/286 Boston College Denver
C 7 Eric Ghiaciuc UFA 4 6-4/300 Central MichiganCincinnati
C 8 Melvin Fowler UFA 7 6-3/310 Maryland Buffalo
C 9 Jeremy Newberry UFA 11 6-5/315 California San Diego
C 10 Rudy Niswanger RFA 3 6-5/301 LSU Kansas City
C 11 Matt Lehr UFA 8 6-2/290 Virginia Tech New Orleans