virginiatom: Only a franchise as bad as the Rams would take their #1 overall draft choice in 2 of the last 3 years and then move them out of their natural positions for which they had performed so great, to a new position (Carriker and Smith). Do you know of any other team that has in the last several years drafted a number one pick and then moved them to entirely new positions? It makes no sense to me.

Jeff Gordon: Right tackle is not an entirely new position than left tackle. If he still played tight end in college, then got drafted as a tackle, then you would have a beef.

FloTrain: Ahh Jeff, my worst fear for the Cards is starting to be realized... Ok, everyone goes through slumps, but this rotation is slumping a little too early... Wainright throwing WAY too many pitches every outing, Lohse has been roughed up last couple starts, Welle off and on, Piniero starting to get hit hard now that hitters are looking for that 86mph two seamer... Is Boggs the most reliable starter right now? Carpenter PLEASE come back strong and healthy and make it through a season!....
Don't know if you read Bill Simmons' article about the Red Sox and their '04 run (blatantly asking if the ENTIRE team roided back then) but could two STL teams been cheated out of Championships by Boston Roiders? Especially if a Beantown Homer like Simmons' would be even suggest '04 was tainted in a published article....

Jeff Gordon: But . . . it's not like the Cards have stayed clear of players with steroid pasts or suspected abuse. It's the nature of the sport. I believe abuse is still rampant, despite the crackdown.

At least MLB is getting serious about restoring some semblance of order.

therealdealankiel: Gordo,

Is there reason for concern with Brett Wallace's high strikeout total? I know his OBP is very good, but I always thought his plate patience/coverage was highly lauded. Disclaimer: I realize it is still early.

Jeff Gordon: This guy isn't Wade Boggs. He is a power hitter. The Class AA level has the best young arms short of the majors. He is in his first full year of pro baseball.

The key is plate discipline. The more walks he draws, the more excited Cards management will get. The more he makes pitchers work to him, the faster he will develop.

virginiatom: Is Flajole's defense similar to that which Spagnuolo ran? What do you envision the Ram's defense looking like in terms of style?

Jeff Gordon: This will be Spags' defense. What you saw in Philly and New York is what he wants you to see here. If Little stays healthy and Long progresses, the Rams ought to generate more pressure with front four -- which is critical.

You will recall that Haslett had to run lots of gimmicks to get pressure. Over time, that catches up to a D.

therealdealankiel: Gordo,

Aside from the new buzzkids (Mortensen, Todd and Lynn), what are the overall feelings on once highly-touted arms (within our organization, as I know these guys are not impact arms to most clubs) like Ottavino, Herron and Hawksworth? I continue to wonder what Ottavino's upside is and why he is taking a rotation spot in Memphis.

Jeff Gordon: Adam just can't quite find the consistency. He'll have the rest of this season to do so, but next year Garcia returns from TJ surgery and Lynn ought to be at the Class AA level.

Hawksworth, in contrast to Ottavino, seems close to finally making it.

It'll be interesting to see if Walters quickly regroups and gains better command. He need to build on his big league experience and not regress.