Rambunctious: Hi Jeff, Do you think the Rams are hurt by losing out on Sims, or was he viewed more as "just a guy". Thanks in advance!

Jeff Gordon: He is more than a guy, but I wonder if the Rams needed more than just camp depth at this point. They already have six guys fighting for five sports, plus two rookies and a couple of reliable back-up types. It is hard to attract a decent free agent because of that -- agents will tell a guy to find a more needy team.

Dave Cobler: Hey Gordo;
Brendon Ryan has the slick hands and feet on "D". He takes good enough at bats to be that #9 or #1 hitter. I was impressed with his play last year and the more I watch this guy the better I like him. Do you see him in the equation for 09 or do you think the Cards will upgrade with an impact bat at SS? Who are the SS that are free agents that the Cards would be interested in?

Thanks Jeff!

Jeff Gordon: Renteria could become a FA, if Detroit doesn't pick up the option. Cabrera is another mid-range possibility. Furcal will likely cost plenty. Is Ryan an impact bat? Perhaps, as a top-of-the lineup guy. But then the team might want more impact at second base. Either way, Izturis' injury allows Cards fans a better look at Ryan on the left side. So far, so good.

roger from lake tahoe: is there any chance the cards would go after lowe from the dodgers. i think he is in his contract year, he's older and less likely to demand a long term contract, and his pitches to contact and gets ground balls. i know he is no longer a front line guy, but you know you'll get a good number three and great consistency. what rumors have you heard? thanks

Jeff Gordon: Unless this team took another big pitching hit, it is hard to imagine them going after anything but an insurance guy. Wainwright will return at some point. Carpenter is less certain and Mulder is just a reliever, for now. Still, Lohse, Looper, Pineiro and Wellemeyer are better than most of what's out there. Boggs has been fine this far and Mortensen and Garcia are both elite prospects in Memphis. Thompson is also available . . . and there is always Tony Reyes, too.

roger from lake tahoe: though i'm somewhat happy to see scott rolen doing ok, i am much happier seeing troy glauss with two birds on a bat. hitting a hard two fifty, double digit home runs, forty some rbi, same number of walks as strike outs and looking much better than expected on defense. my question - where is the troy glauss fan club in st.louis? he seems to me to be under appreciated.

Jeff Gordon: Glaus has been better than I expected defensively. He makes most of the plays. Offensively, he is OK -- more a No. 6 hitter than anything else, but he adds a little heft to the lineup with none of Scott's baggage. So far, this deal looks very good. Under the circumstances, Mozeliak did well to replace Rolen with a solid player.

roger from lake tahoe: gordo, what is your opinion of moziliak (sp?) so far. i'm thinking he has the golden touch. besides glauss and lohse, what do you think have been his best moves?

Jeff Gordon: Mozeliak hit home runs there, for sure. The Cards added some solid veteran guys with Izturis and LaRue. Villone was a good get, since Johnson went down. (Although Villone has been used up here of late). Otherwise, his strong suit has been staying patient and letting the Cards fill their needs from within. That has worked so far this year -- and it sets the stage for a huge '09 season.