kevgolf77: I was wondering if anyone in STL has noticed this year's team reminds anyone of the 80's teams with the young talent, speed, and creating runs? Another point is the fact that the pitchers are just pitching and letting the defense do their job behind the staff. Just curious what you and other Cards fans thought.

Jeff Gordon: This team has more speed than the station-to-station teams Tony has generally put on the field, but it has nowhere near Whiteyball speed. But the starting pitchers really do have an idea what they are doing. Wellemeyer needs to take a more economical approach, but the other four guys are buying what Dave Duncan is selling.

matt MVP stroehms: howdy Gordo,


I was wondering what the reason that pitchers all of a sudden lose velocity. IE: Zito, yes he never threw that hard but when he's barely hitting 84 on the gun now, somethings wrong. Another example: Matt Morris. Used to threw 93-94 for us, even threw 91-92 last year. this year: 87. Another: Tim Hudson usually throws in the low 90s but for some reason in one start he was down in the mid-80s. This intrigued me and was curious.


thanks,

Matt

Jeff Gordon: Sinple wear and tear. Shoulders wear out. Overhand throwing is an unnatural motion for the body. No amount of weight training protect a pitcher from lost power. Some guys lose it sooner than others . . . and a few guys, like Ryan and Clemens, remain strong their whole career.

Pitchers can ease the load on their shoulder with good leg drive and clean mechanics, but, again, there is no sure way to prevent velocity loss.

Catman: Hi Gordo,

Is Reyes' demotion to Memphis just another way of saying "trade bait"? He'll have a chance to start regularly and probably produce great numbers.
With Colby Rasmus obviously in the Cardinal's future, who will be the unfortunate Cardinal outfielder who will be on the trading block? I certainly want to keep Ankiel and Schumaker is just too darn good to toss away. He's a solid leadoff man and his defense is superb. We need Ludwick's RH stick and he too plays pretty good in the outfield. It seems that Chris Duncan would be the odd man out. Who do you think will depart upon Rasmus' arrival? THANK!

Jeff Gordon: This could go a lot of ways. Reyes is obviously the odd man out, since he didn't take to his relief role as well as M

Wes: Hey Gordo.

Are the Cardinals currently looking at anything in the trade market? Like another power bat? Heard any possible names?

Thanks. I think we need another big bat behind Pujols...

Jeff Gordon: John Mozeliak notes that the trade mart picks up in June, when teams are vetter defined. At 20-12, the Cards are no hurry to do anything. Their pitching surplus hasn't developed yet and their platoon offense is working.

Dave Cobler: Hey Gordo:
Yeah, we won this series with the Cubs but I am still not convinced we can hang with the Cubs over the long haul without more clout backing up Pujols. I still think the lineup needs to be deeper. What do you think Gordo?

THANK YOU Jeff!

Jeff Gordon: The Cards can stay in the hunt with consistent pitching, a deep bullpen and a decent offense. But, yes, Mozeliak will be on the prowl for One Big Move if his pitching surplus materializes and gives him trade leverage.

If it doesn't, then the team will need more from Glaus, especially, since opponents will go out of their way to use lefty pitching against them.