cbc1b: do you think Pisa would have ultimately best served by moving to safety years ago?


do you hear anything on the blues trade front regarding the numbers of defensemen they have?


thank you

Jeff Gordon: He doesn't have the wheels to do that.

As for the note, moving a defensive salary (McKee in particular) will be difficult in this economic environment. And with Brewer facing an uncertain future, John Davidson has to protect himself.

HEG: Gordo just a few comments regarding the Cardinals; first I have mentioned before that McClellan is a home run waiting to happen; he will look fine then all of a sudden he will give up a tying or go ahead run; when he makes a mistake it seems to really affect the outcome of a game; whether the mistake is a bad pitch or location. I am also wondering if Kahyle Green will be best selection at shortstop; he is slumpling offensively & looks unsure of himself at times defensively; it seems the starters are coming back to earth from their great start; Wainwright has yet to have a real good start and the staff all right-handed struggle with left-handed batters; the Cardinals batters all seem to be struggle with off-speed pitches and all teams start left-handers vs. the Cards; but overall the Cards are in pretty good shape with their record which would pro-rate to between 90 and 100 wins over the season; does any of these comments make any sense?

Jeff Gordon: There are a lot of concerns. The Cards would like to see Khalil Green hit .260. If he doesn't, then he'll move on after the season and either Brendan Ryan or Tyler Greene will take over. All their pitchers keep the ball down -- especially in a place like Cincy. McClellan usually pitches with the game on the line, so, yes, his mistakes do hurt.

Overall, the Cards have scored a ton of runs so the group is not THAT vulnerable to any one pitch, off-speed or otherwise.

virginiatom: Knowing now that the Rams are playing Smith at right tackle, do you think that they should have used the #2 overall pick on a more critical position need, such as WR or LB or DT? It seems that right tackle wasn't the most critical need in the draft and that it could have been filled with a later round selection.

Jeff Gordon: Spagnoulo wants to pound the ball on the ground. Tackle was still a top need, left or right, once Pace left. And Jackson will run behind the right tackle. Smith is considered an excellent run blocker. In time, Smith could move to the left side. Or, if Barron comes around, perhaps he could stay where he is.

But he offers a massive upgrade over Adam Goldberg.

virginiatom: Of all the veteran receivers out there, why did the Rams go for Carter? His resume is full of unproductive efforts on several different teams, which should be a red flag to this organization. What do they see in him which has lead the Rams to by pass those that are still out there that could fill the roll of a possession type receiver?

Jeff Gordon: Carter is a depth guy, no more. The Cards believe they already have traded for (Robinson) and drafted (Foster) their back-up WRs. And Derek Stanley has a real chance if he gets healthy.

Tackleberry: Do you think that the Cardinals feel that, when Ankiel/Carpenter/Ryan are healthy, this team is without the need for a major upgrade?

If you could have one upgrade today (right handed bat, starting pitcher, etc.) what would you choose and what position would it be at if it were a fielder?

Jeff Gordon: The immediate issue is Glaus. The team is due an update on him in a few weeks. If he is not going to play this year, I'd put "right-handed bat" as the top need, assuming Carpenter returns to good health. Barden and Thurston are great utility guys, but they are returning to earth.

I still believe Motte, Perez, Boggs and Jess Todd can shore up the pen if that group starts faltering again.

Now would be a good time for either Freese or Mather to relocate their stroke at Memphis, since the current bench lacks power.