Aron: How does Mr. Irrelevant look so far? According to the website he is slated as a strong side LB, any chance he could compete for the position with Draft and Culberson?

Jeff Gordon: He is in the mix, for sure. Lots of competition there. Could come down to special teams. Training camp will be wide open for LBs.

Matt: With Mulder unlikely to regain his arm position in his delivery, why is there no discussion of changing his delivery to sidearm? This change would make him one expensive left handed specialist, but at least he can contribute some before parting ways.

Jeff Gordon: He does NOT like pitching unless his mechanics are just so. Do NOT look for him to adjust to stay in the game. That's not going to happen.

leo quijano: Gordo,

Thanks for taking questions today. This time of year there always seems to be a groundswell of optimism among fans and certain of us hearken back to '99 and think that lightning could strike twice in the same place. I remember how even the PD polls still predicted Ram losses well into the sixth week of that season and it seems most people have a similar attitude this year.

My question is, what similarities do you see here? I'm hoping you have some tidbits from practices about things that indicate a similar direction. I understand that reporters are supposed to be objective but I'm asking for you to give an unabashed "bright side" take that we won't hold against you if another injury plagued season occurs.

leo from Springfield, MO

Jeff Gordon: Tough comparison. The '99 team had a really easy schedule and cutting-edge coaching. This team faces a rough schedule, to say the least. For this team, 9-7 would be great.

D-Mac: Hey Gordo,
Thanks as always for your chat time. One question, now that Jimmy Baseball is all smiley and happy in Chicago, will he start serving Old Style beer and shriveled up hot dogs at his restaurant downtown St.Louis?

And who is going to go there now anyway???

Jeff Gordon: 15 is a very nice place, but too trendy to me. Old Style is more my speed.

Warren Arnold: Hi Gordo,

Do you see a fundamental change in the baseball business beginning? By that I mean, will GM's be more likely to lock up young talent rather than risk signing a veteran to long term contracts and potentially have wasted money the last couple of years of the deal? Or is this just a calm time before the teams go crazy for proven commodities again(and usually overpay)?

Jeff Gordon: All those 40-something former all-stars out of work -- that may be a trend. There is no need to extend so many careers with good talent coming up. But as more teams have money through revenue sharing, that will create big free agent spending. It just will.

Except in Florida. The Marlins threw money at Ramirez, but that may be it.