Kyle Row: How much Adam Kennedy do you think we will see the remainder of the season? More Miles than Kennedy?

Jeff Gordon: We'll see a lot of Kennedy, given his contract and his past success. Tony loves Miles, but this is a business. If the Cards want to move Kennedy and use Miles more, than they need to prop him up with some success first.

jim: What are your thoughts on the amount of money spent on free agency by other teams in the Rams division? What effect it will have on the playoff race this upcoming year?

Jeff Gordon: Hard to say. Same with the draft. To me, it comes down to how well the second- and third-year players progress. Look at the Wrotens and Barrons and Incognitos on this team and how pivotal they are. You can add a price FA or two, but still slip when you previous draft picks fail to make an impact. (Hello, Damione Lewis, Jimmy Kennedy, Ryan Pickett . . .)

Martin Osterman: Jeff,

Is it a given that Tony LaRussa will not be back to manage next year's Cards team? Would he go elsewhere or retire? Or do you think he'd extend and stay another year?

Jeff Gordon: Right now, the odds of him returning don't look great. But a strong finish and the promise of a roster overhaul could excite him.

Frank Wild: Tony LaRussa recently became only the second manager to win 1,000 games as the Cardinals' manager. I haven't seen any recognition for this. Have the Cardinals made mention of it at all. Winning his 1,000 game wheter he passes Red or not seems to insure that he will go into the hall with a Cardinals cap and end up with the rest of the retires on the outfield wall. Speaking of the hall, do you believe that Ted Simmons has any hope in the future. I will admit that I never thought much about him until you view his numbers compared to some other catchers like Gary Carter who were considered locks for the hall. Has anyone in St. Louis thought of taking up his cause like Bernie did with Roger Wehrli for the football Cards. Do you know why Simmons has never gotten close to hall consideration.

Jeff Gordon: Simmons faces a tough road, because the veterans committee seems to dismiss all candidates as unworthy. There is a great case to be made for him, but the ball writers never bought in. I'm guessing his Piazza-like defense worked against him.

That's all for today. Thanks!