UCityDave: Football question: Why do people insist on saying they're evaluating NFL teams' drafts when all they do is count up the number of players a team drafts who stay on that team's roster? That mixes drafting together with a lot of other issues, like how well teams manage the salary cap and whether they can convince their own free agents to stay -- neither one of which has anything directly to do with how well they choose college talent. It may seem like I'm picking a nit, but I think that this confuses people and leads them to misdirect their anger at a team's college personnel guys when their team is down, when it's the guys who are managing the roster AFTER the draft that are often more to blame. (And yes, I know sometimes they're the same guys.)

Jeff Gordon: Great point. Pickett moved on and played well. So did Lewis. Bly left for big dollars, as did McDonald. Chillar left for more money. The Rams could still have a LOT of earlier picks had the franchise deemed the players worth they money other teams paid them. A more reasonable knock on the scouts would be their inability to draft Pro Bowl-type players.

They have put a lot of guys in the league, but not many great ones.

CraigMBC: Hi Jeff:

I heard Ricky Horton on yesterday's broadcast say that Yadi was not having as good a year defensively as in the past. Do you agree? Seems to me that passed balls may be up, but I think that may because of some of the cross-ups from some of our pitching staff. Other than that, he seems to be as good as ever.

Thanks.

Jeff Gordon: He also hasn't thrown as many baserunners out, owing, in part, to the failure of pitchers to hold runners. I would agree, though, that Molina is letting more balls get away from him.

Ken Wilson: With Rick Ankiel hurting a little (but improving) why wouldn't the team want to give Joe Mather an audition while he's red hot?

Jeff Gordon: I agree -- but Ankiel has been a special player this year, so La Russa can't stand the thought of sitting him out in a week when he is actually ready to play.

It would be fun to see what Mather could do here. He is proving that last year's power surge was no fluke.

k30: Jeff,

Is it possible that TLR could use Perez and Izzy as alternating closers? Perez already stated he learned quite a bit from Izzy in Spring Training...and it doesn't appear that Izzy can stand the strain of closing every time anymore...however, we would all like to see Izzy get his 300th save...AND...TLR and some others are leary of putting Perez in the closer role all by his lonesome...so, again...do you think it is possible (or even a good idea) that TLR could use both Perez and Izzy to close out games on alternating nights to teach one and rest the other...similar to Matheny's last year here with Yadi as he "taught him the ropes" at this level?

Thanks!

Jeff Gordon: Also, Perez could alternate with Franklin, as he did Sunday. Scaling back Izzy's use might be one way to salvage his season. Does fatigue really cause him to lose command. If so, then it would be better to use him three times a week successfully then four or five times with troubles.

mannboba: Jeff- Will baseball ever make a decesion on the DH? It seems weird having two set of rules, depending on where you play. I the Al you will have a big bat like Big Poppy while you wont in NL. Having two setg of rules is like in the NBA having the three point shot in the west but not the east. I prefer the pitcher batting, but I rather nsee the leagues uniform.

Jeff Gordon: As an old American League guy (born and raised in Detroit, previous stops in KC and Baltimore) I can see the value of the DH. I appreciate the Nl strategy, but I'd almost rather see a DH than the pitcher hitting eighth.