SteveW: Thanks Jeff,

I have been wondering something. How do all the starting pitchers feel about going 5-6-7 innings every time out, and have some guy come in and take one pitch, one batter, one inning, and maybe hold the lead, maybe not.
Seems to me most relief pitchers are really overvalued. If I was one of the starters, I would think, 'Well I could lose the game all by myself wothout help.'
Can you straighten out my thinking?
thanks.

Jeff Gordon: First of all, teams need to limit their starting pitchers to the 100-pitch range. Quality pitchers command big money on guaranteed, long-term deals. Managers have to protect this heavy investment by keeping pitch counts reasonable.

La Russa will allow his lead pitchers to push counts higher, but this is dangerous -- as Matt Morris found out.

In this scenario, good relief pitchers have great value. The Cards started well because guys like Reyes and McClellan have been surprisingly good in those key middle innings.

Now, if you have mediocre relievers replacing starters in the seventh inning, I can see your point. That IS aggravating. From the second half of last season on, however, the bullpen has been a major strength for this team.

Rob (Arnold): Hey Gordo, I want to start off by saying that I'm a big puck head so if this question is a dumb one pls keep that in mind. Why on earth is Izturis on this team? I dont know how many errors he has to date but every time I see this guy bat it's like why does he even bother going to the plate? Just say its an out & on to the next batter. Is there a reason that one of the 6 outfielders we have can't play there? Anything would be an improvement. I would even go as far as to say put Okendo in. He can't be any worse. I thought I heard that either Ludwick or Schumaker had played SS before. Why not give one of them or ANYONE else a shot at?
Thanks,
Rob

Jeff Gordon: Izturis fell into part-time play for a reason. Back in '04, he was an effective everyday player. Can he get back to that level? That is asking a lot. Ryan will provide a near-term alternative, if he can settle into the position defensively.

Andrew B.: If the Rams take Dorsey, how quick would they want to grab a DE.

Thanks

Jeff Gordon: If they take Dorsey, I'm guessing any DE they take would be a late-round, hybrid-type guy -- a DE/LB type needing to bulk up. Carriker would move to DE and the team would at least consider Wroten for some work there as well.

Aaron M.: Gordo-

If the Rams are able to get DeSean Jackson in the second or by trading back into the first, do you see them trading Dante Hall?

If we were to get Jackson, you would have to put him as the PR/KR since he is so explosive. The Rams would have Stanley, Haggans, Hall and Jackson if they were too draft him. That seems like a lot of return men for one team with only one of those being a legit receiver.

Jeff Gordon: Hall flashed his old skill last year, but he has been declining for a couple of years now. Ideally the Rams will find a return man capable of helping at WR, which is why Stanley intrigues the staff. If they can draft a WR with some return skill, that would be all the better.

Gene Cooper: No question; Longtime Cardinal fan-70+years;Living in Phoenix area now.Saw first 2 innings of Padres-Diamondbacks game.Cardinals made a good move by letting Jim Edmonds walk.He couldn't get 2 fly balls he would have caught in earlier days,and then struck out on that shoulder-high fastball,as always.The 2 flyballs went for a triple and double.

Jeff Gordon: Ankiel has been terrific in CF for this team. He isn't what Edmonds was in his prime -- but then again, neither is Edmonds in '08.