Dunder: Past, Present, Future: I'm not a TLR hater and I know he has a past of mixing and matching, but given the present make up of this team would they really be any worse off in the present if they trotted out a Pujols, Ryan, T. Greene, DeRosa infield with Schumaker, Rasmus and DuncWickiel for the outfield each day? It would be a little more small-ball than Tony is used to, but might be more production and would certainly give a better glimpse into answers for the future.

Jeff Gordon: I'm a big Tyler Greene fans, but he is still adapting to big league pitching. And this team needs more muscle to reach the postseason. So I'd like to see a lot of DeRosa at third base, as you note, but the four heavier hitters fighting it out for three OF spots.

And if Duncan, Ankiel and Ludwick continue at their current pace, I'd like to see the Cards add another outfielder with some pop while leaving Skip at second for now.

Now, if Wallace keeps hitting, how about putting him at third with his power next year. Re-sign DeRosa and put him at second with HIS power and move Skip back to the outfield with Rasmus and Ludwick.

Thomas: Gordo,
Do you see the Cards making another move after the DeRosa trade? A pitcher?? Matt Holiday?? What are your thoughts?

Jeff Gordon: The Cards are open to either move, but it would come in a few weeks after Lohse returns (or doesn't) to the rotation and DeRosa settles in. Maybe DeRosa will take some heat of Ludwick and Ankiel, allowing both to relax and hit like they did last season.

williemcgee51: Gordo,

I love the DeRosa move and it is nice to see the team trying to win now. That being said, there are other areas of need that have to be addressed before July 31. A veteran bat for the bench, a veteran arm for the pen (Springer would look nice out there), or possibly another arm for the rotation (assuming Wellemeyer and the AAA guys don't grab the bull by the horns) are areas of need that I see...how would you rank these in order of priority, and how likely do you think the FO is to make another move?

Jeff Gordon: Right now the rotation is the top priority. Even with Lohse returning, there are issues. That may need to be addressed by trade.

If Josh Kinney can't get the job done in the pen, then Jess Todd from Memphis might be the answer. This kid could be in Cleveland next year as part of the DeRosa deal, but for now he can help this group. If the A's want to move Springer for a reasonable return, the Cards would like that, too.

A righthanded pinch hitter would be nice, but Stavinoha deserves at shot at returning to that gig. He is hitting well in Memphis.

ken: Jeff: It plain to see that LaRussa is trying to try Thurston into the next Aaron Mills. That said, how much more will LaRussa put up with Thurston’s inability to run the bases correctly? Another BIG blunder yesterday and No you can’t lay the blame on Oquendo.

Jeff Gordon: Those baserunning mistakes could very well end his big league career. It happens again and again.

steinjr11: Do you think that the Cards will go and get Holliday and if so will they try to get something in the deal saying that he will sign a new, longer contract before the trade is done, so we are not giving up all those players for a possible rental player?

Jeff Gordon: Boras is the agent and Matt is one of his stars in the next free agent class, so that will be very difficult to pull off. Since Matt is just a rental, right now, Oakland ought to be happen to get, say, Ryan Ludwick and a mid-level prospect for him. Ludwick is a ways removed from free agency and he can help that team.

As you know, though, I'm not a big Holliday fan. His power outage in Oakland is shocking.