Tim: Well here we are. A few days away from spring training and we look back at another offseason filled with dumpster players and false hope. Now Im not going to be Immature or whinny here against Dewitt and Mozeilak even though it WILL sound like it I just want to state my thoughts.

1. We didnt trade for Holliday. Im sorry but that was stupid. Ludwick came out of nowhere and did what he did who knows if he can do it again no offense to him but hes a question mark. Schumaker is probably now a 4th outhfielder at best in a crouded area for the Cards so keeping him makes no sense to me and Boggs was just a throw in. So we basically missed out on an elite cleanup hitter to protect Pujols and for what. Because we didnt want to lock up long term an elite hitting outfielder. So basically .MONEY

2. Traded for Greene. Stupid in my mind. Another one year rental so now we need another SS for next offseason to add on to needs and we added a low average, low on base percentage, high strikeout guy to a lineup that already strikes out alot and needs some guys to get on base for Albert but dont have. And hes being paid 6.5 million for all that when we could of just forked an extra 3.5 million at Furcal. So again another Cheap one year fill in. But hey thats 3.5 in Dewitts pocket

3. Signed Miller and Ring. Seriously is this really an upgrade over Villone and Flores? Ones 35 and has shoulder problems and the other one had and 8.46 ERA. And why? They were cheap

4. We STILL need a SP, a reliable 2b, and and experienced closer and we dont have them because why? They cost money and they dont want to spend the money to have a good team

So my offseason outlook: F. They Apparently were aggresive with Rodrigez and Fuentes but didnt go that extra step to get them. They put a team together that competitive enough to keep fans thinking they might make the playoffs therfore fans would come to games and waste their money but they didnt take the incentive to get this team in the playoffs at all costs. One more thing. Does Dewitt not relize that if he gets this team in the playoffs that its more tickets that he sells and therfore more profit made? Um Duh. Hes a terrible owner and I wish he would sell the team and leave us all alone.

Jeff Gordon: DeWitt is a terrible owner? I guess a World Championship, the first since 1982, doesn't impress fans. Whatever.

If the Cards traded for Holliday, then the team would have had to extend him for HUGE dollars at the one position where this team has high-end, long-term talent. I'd rather keep Ludwick, Schumaker, Ankiel, Rasmus et al -- because that will be one of the most productive outfields in the majors. When it comes time to trade one of those guys, Mozeliak can fill a more pressing need.

Brett Wallace doesn't run like Holliday, but he might hit like him in a year.

Greene's shortcomings are obvious and I like Furcal well enough. But Rafael wanted to stay in LA. The Dodgers were willing to go long term with him despite his age/injury issues. Greene will offer an offensive upgrade over Izturis. You're right about the position, though -- the Cards will be back to Square One in a year, because Pete Kozma is still a ways off.

I agree on the LH relief pitching. That still must be addressed.

I agree on the starting pitching. That still must be addressed.

Kennedy hit .280 and played fine defensively last season. If he does that again -- and he has done it almost every year in the majors -- the Cards will be fine there.

The Cards offered more guaranteed money to Fuentes than the Angels did. He wanted to play in California. After Fuentes, the potential FA closers were pretty iffy.

This is another position that could be addressed if Perez and Motte struggle.

The unresolved issues will be fun to track, because a lot of good players are unsigned and a lot of teams are still looking to dump salary. There will be ample opportunity to adjust the roster.

BrandonRAMS: Hi Gordo,
With Warner uncertain in coming back and Haley getting promoted to HC of the Chiefs, leaving a spot open for OC. How about Martz getting the chance to reunite with Warner? It sounds like a good fit, back in St.Louis Warner put up the greatest numbers of his career. Plus Arizona is a passing team(even though they are not trying to be), and who wouldn't want a offensive passing guru in Martz. Would we be able to see "THE GREATEST SHOW ON TURF(Grass, AZ don't have turf)II". Whats your thoughts on this take?

Jeff Gordon: Martz also told the world that Kurt was finished. I expect Whisenhunt to keep that hire within his coaching family.

elvis26: are the cards going to bring in any 2nd basemen to compete with adam kennedy? also will the cards trade 1 of their outfielders for a starting pitcher? also what are the cards chances we will sign joe beimal or will ohman? thanks
brian

Jeff Gordon: I can't believe this team hasn't jumped at one of the better unsigned lefties. Fans can only hope that one of the current lefties comes up lame to force the team's hand.

At some point, Mozeliak will have to trade outfielders -- unless a bunch of players get hurt. And pitching is his obvious need.

Competing with Adam Kennedy: Skip Schumaker!

Tim: I read that last fall the Rams were offered a first rounder by possibly Tennesee for Holt. My first question is why didnt they take that? My second one is can we still get it? I would love to see it Tennesee is at 30 so I say we draft Phil Loadholt there and Herman Johnson at 35. The bot of them are monsters and very physical. Then If we could sign Jason Brown for center I like the look of our line.

Jeff Gordon: Tennessee offering a No. 1 pick for Holt? That is one of the most amazing things I have ever heard. If the Rams really passed on that, it was owing to the uncertain management structure. Now that Zygmunt is gone, Devaney has full control of the football operation and the new coach is in place, the organization is in place.

One popular theory from inside Rams Park has the team moving Holt's money, drafting Crabtree and then adding a later first-round pick to take a tackle or MLB.

Ray: Gordo:
I read Jim Thomas article regarding the cap. Bottom line is we have to trade Holt and/or Pace. I know it's easier said than done. But Jim mentioned that Tennessee had offered their first round pick last year for Holt. I would reignite that trade possibility with Tennessee. I would even take a second round pick for Holt, and I think a team might be willing to do that. With three picks in the first two rounds, we could draft Crabtree at No. 2, and could also grab an offensive linemen to replace Pace, and an impact defensive player. Your thoughts?

Jeff Gordon: Sounds like a plan. The tougher call is Pace, because left tackles are so hard to come by. What if O.P stays healthy and plays like he did at the end of last year?