ogbk20: Ok Gordo..Brewer is a 3rd line Dman at best on this team. I realize what EJ can do, BUT we need to go outside of the organization for another Dman. Our defense was exposed in the playoffs and Ej isnt enough to take us to say the WCF. Will the Blues make a move..Bouwmeister anyone?

Jeff Gordon: Florida wants a No. 1 pick for his negotiating rights -- and other teams may pay that. So, no, that doesn't look like a good fit.

williemcgee51: Gordo,

If this team were to fall out of contention with their brutal July schedule, would you see the value in shopping Chris Carpenter? If proven healthy, he would be a CC Sabathia type addition for an eager team. I have to believe the Phillies, Mets, Dodgers, Yankees, Rangers, White Sox, etc. would be all too eager to secure their success by adding Carp.

I know Carp is a TLR guy. And a STL guy. When healthy, I'd take him over any other pitcher. He's got the arm and he's got the mindset. But he also has the medical reports. It's no secret that his contract paralyzes this team when he is on the DL. If we got a fair return via trade, and spent his money on the free agent market, I have to believe this team could still compete for the division with a healthy Wainwright and Lohse in 2010 and beyond.

My question for you is: What is a fair return for Carp?

Jeff Gordon: A young blue-chip starting pitcher, plus a potential all-star position player.

StubbyClapp: Gordo, two topics: (1) What are the chances of Clayton Mortenson being called up with Lohse out for another 3 weeks and Wellemeyer struggling? How much of a role does Thompson play into that decision? (2) When we promote someone from Memphis for the first time, does it raise the payroll by the league minimum (I think about $400,000)? Thanks!

Jeff Gordon: If a guy comes up, somebody goes down -- so that doesn't impact payroll unless the spot is created by a DL move.

Jeremy: If Tejada is making 13 million this season, and the season is just about half over, how much would the cards be on the hook for if a deal was to occur, assuming the cards weren't going to eat all the salary? I guess what I'm trying to say, is how much have the Astros paid for Tejada this year so far?

Jeff Gordon: It's pro-rated. If the Astros deal the guy, odds are that club will pay at least half is deal for this year.

bshivepoker: gordo..

i guess i dont understand what "UNTOUCHABLE" means...if you can get a proven major leaguer for someone who maybe has "potential", i would run, not walk, to the phone and make the deal.

if someone (Cleveland, for example) wanted Wallace, Todd, and Daryl Jones for Cliff Lee and DeRosa, to me its a no brainer, because "the future " is basically a crapshoot. Some guys pan out, but most dont.

Jeff Gordon: Why would Cleveland make that deal? That would be nuts. Throw Wainwright in, for starters.