w.champion: Gordo, Mo is doing a great job as you said in your last column (not signing Miles and all). Do you think you will ever get up the stones to ask Mo any tough questions? Is being liked by the management of this organization, that important to you? Is the kool-aid in the press box sweet as nectar? Do you forsee any more "low hangin fruit" comming our way?

Jeff Gordon: Miles is just a guy. I loved him and argued for his retention, but, to my surprise, it appears Thurston and Barden make the bench better than I expected.

I insisted the team add a lefty reliever and it did. When it becomes obvious that something else is needed, then I'll be glad to demand change.

That was a tough weekend in Chicago for the young pitchers, but it was also tough on Zambrano and Dempster.

Mark Giljum: Jeff

I realize Tony was hamstrung a bit by the abbreviated starts, but I still don't understand leaving T. Miller in the game Friday to get strafed by right-handed batters when he had Boggs ready, or letting D. Reyes pitch to A-Ram (aka The Cardinal Killer) on Saturday instead of walking him to face Hoffpaiur. I know managers almost never walk the winning run into scoring position but with The Cardinal Killer up that runner at first is already in scoring position. Letting A-Ram continually beat us reminds me of the Astros regularly letting Albert abuse them over the years.

Your take?

Thanks, Mark

Jeff Gordon: In Miller's case, he is expected to get both sides out when he pitches in middle relief. That is his job.

In Reyes case, the team believes he is good enough to face more than lefties. He just has to get it done.

I'm not a big fan of walking guys in Wrigley Field. Everybody is dangerous is the wind blows out or is neutral.

NJK1: Are we going to face another season of Bullpen Blunders from the cardinals? So glad they addressed those problems in the offseason?!?!?!

Jeff Gordon: Well, they address it. Izzy is gone. Flores is gone. Villone is gone. Reyes was clearly a nice get. Motte and Perez have had good outings and bad. A lot is on them, due to the unhappy struggle of Kinney early on. I'd say that is the big disappointment, since I was a huge pro-Kinney guy based on how he looked last year.

I like Franklin this year. I like McClellan.

BradV: Hey Gordo, let's go ahead and get this out there.... Is there any scenario where you see Cardinal ownership actually spending for addt'l bullpen help, or another SP? Carp is obviously gone for a couple of months, and it doesn't take a genius to figure out that if they signed a real closer, our lefty specialists, long relief and setup guys could actually settle into their real roles.... don't you agree?

Jeff Gordon: They'll make a move for a starting pitcher if they can't find the internal help, just as they made the move for a LH reliever during spring training.

DFrost: Hello Gordo,

I'm concerned about the Cards pitching as currently constructed. Do you think they will make any moves to add anything to the rotation or the bullpen other than just bring up the kids from the farm?

Jeff Gordon: They have lots of trade assets, so something is always possible. And unlike other teams, they can take on salary as needed.

Mozeliak felt pretty good about the team Thursday. He made three additions from the farm at once, which shows the progress being made. But if it becomes obvious that the team has glaring needs -- and two games at windy Wrigley is a small sample -- then he'll do something.