Will: At what point does the Cardinals management stop making decisions based on salary, and start making them based on performance? I am not bashing the Greene trade, but the reason that we were able to get him so cheap was due to the fact that his career was potentially in decline. I feel that it was a good trade and a low risk gamble, but it is looking like 2008 may not have been a fluke. How long will the cards give Greene to figure it out before they stop using him as an everyday player? Wouldn't it be in the teams’ best interest to find out this year if Tyler Greene has what it takes to be an everyday shortstop?

Jeff Gordon: TLR has made it very clear that T. Greene could end up playing a LOT of SS this year. Greene is getting some time to work things out, but this team needs offense from that slot. Again, I could see a DL stint to let him rest that forearm, then some time in Memphis to work on his swing.

Khalil did some decent things before getting hurt this year, so perhaps rest and rehab could bring him back.

Will: Is there any real chance that the Cards will address their need for an impact right handed bat to protect Pujols? Matt Holliday is almost certainly going to be available at the trade deadline. I know his numbers are not that great right now, but he has a proven track record. This year the Cards have the type off prospects to land him, and they could do it without completely wiping out the farm system. I have heard the argument that it will be more difficult to re-sign Pujols if you give another player a large contract, but if the team doesn’t address this need Pujols will leave anyway. It appears that Pujols is more concerned with his legacy (championships) than he is with obtaining the largest possible contract. I believe that unless the ownership is willing to spend the money for a quality player Pujols will leave.

Jeff Gordon: Why spend $16 million for a left fielder? Oakland will trade him this season, looking to recoup the prospects they burned to rent him for a few months.

We all saw what the Cards four OFs did when they were healthy. If the Cards want to rent a bat for the rest of the year, they need to rent a 3B to bridge the team to Brett Wallace.

If the Cards want to trade a LH-hitting outfielder for a comparable RH-hitting OF, that could work, too.

Jim Hall: Could someone please tell me why LaRussa allowed a right hander to pitch to Fielder in the 7th in a 4-2 game when he had both left handers available. I'm sure that no one asked him about it in post game because nothing was in today's paper. I would love to hear Tony's spin on it.

Jeff Gordon: Tony's answer: Boyer had pitched well against the Brewers in the past. Also, the unstated fact is La Russa uses his pitchers differently when trailing.

Miller could have been used there, for sure, but Fielder has one two-run homer in six career at bats against him. (Boyer had retired Fielder in his only previous appearance against him.)

pujols05: What are the chances we keep Boggs in the starting rotation and use Wellemeyer as a long reliever? Thanks

Jeff Gordon: Boggs is back in the Memphis rotation, for now. Todd will get a couple more starts. When he's been good, he's been real good. But when he's been bad . . .

RICH: Jeff: Lots of talk about Carpenter and how's he's experienced no pain from pitching. Has he tried to swing a bat yet, as that is where the injury happened? Also, DeWitt must be in heaven after all these of high priced veterans on the field we saw 6 rookies playing yesterday with probably a combined payroll of under $2,000,000 for all six. He's gotten love that!! Who cares if they can't hit big league pitching, it' s all about the bottom line. I have tickets for a few more games this year and if the Memphis Redbirds going to be playing in Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis at Major League prices like yesterday, you can count of me NOT to buy any more tickets!!

thanks
Rich

Jeff Gordon: Players on the disabled list:

Chris Carpenter $14 million
Troy Glaus $11.25 million
Ryan Ludwick $3.7 million
Rick Ankield $2.825 million

Once again the Cards have more than $30 million allocated to injured guys. DeWitt does not love that.