Ray: Hey Gordo:

During the recent spate of lefties the Cards faced, Glaus batted cleanup. When we traded for him, it seems that I recall reading that he has a history of hitting worse in the 4 spot than elsewhere. That seems to have continued this year. He did little in the cleanup position last week, while he has been a decent hitter when batting fifth or sixth. For the year, what is Glaus batting in the fourth spot vs. in other spots? And, if I'm correct, why doesn't TLR recognize this fact, and bat Ludwick or Ankiel at cleanup (even if they are struggling). It seems the offense was better earlier in the year when this was being done.

Jeff Gordon: You are right about Glaus. He is a natural No. 5 or No. 5 6 hitter. But Ludwick fell into a rut when Albert was gone, so La Russa wanted to get him going by putting him higher in the batting order for some games.

Glaus is batting .235 in 81 at bats as a No. 4 hitter this season and .287 in 247 at bats as a No. 5 hitter.

All this explains why Cards fans still want to see the team add another impact bat, despite the weekend's barrage in Pittsburgh.

Tackleberry: The bullpen is looking UGLY (except Springer)! How did the collective unit come unglued so fast?

Can the topic of Izzy getting 300 saves in a Cardinal uniform please be shelved? The Cards need wins, period. If, by chance, Izzy stops blowing up long enough to be put in a save situation than so be it. But the notion that Tony should make Izzy's milestone a consideration as a game winds down is ridiculous!

I've never missed Tyler Johnson and Josh Kinney as much as I do right now.

Jeff Gordon: Yeah, Johnson and Kinney were studs in '06 as the Cards made their world championship runs. Yes, they are missed now. The bullpen has worn out. Not only did Izzy, Flores and Villone fall apart, but the kids have taken more hits as the summer progressed. Chris Perez's ERA has steadily climbed since his May debut. McClellan's trends are similar.

Only Springer has remained steady. Hence the need for this team to add some help before the waivers-free trade deadline.

M. Skaistis: What game previous game to the June 13 20-2 loss to Philadelphia was the Cardinals worst loss?

Jeff Gordon: Last year the Cards lost 18-1 to the Astros at home, on Sept. 20. Aaron Miles had a tougher time in that game, allowing two runs on three hits while working the ninth. Other Cards relievers in that game: Andy Cavazos, Brian Falkenborg and Kelvin Jimenez.

SteveW: Hi Jeff.

I hate that the all-star game counts. What if you are, for example, a Yankee, and you are in the all-star game. What is your incentive to win a game so the Red Sox can get home field? Or Albert Puhjols' incentive to get the cubs home field?
Why not rather let the world series winner decide where the all-star game will be played the following year or year after that? Makes more sense to me.

If Rasmus is the untouchable of the cards minor leagues, then where is he? I know he's hurt now, but why isn't he on the big club with all these other guys coming up?

Why is it so hard to throw the last 3 innings of the game? The cards starters go out there almost every night and throw 6 or 7 innings, giving up 2 to 4 runs. The releivers come in and can't go an inning without 2 or 3 runs. Are all our releivers just that bad? And don't tell me they are tired. How many innings do they throw compared to the starters?

thanks for your time.

Jeff Gordon: The frequency of use -- both warming up and in the games -- is what wears out relievers. La Russa tends to use a lot of relievers even in good times, so his bullpen really gets taxed in more difficult times.

As noted earlier, even the rookie relievers have shown signs of wear and tear this summer.

As for Rasmus, had he not suffered that groin injury, he would have been ready for recall after the All-Star break. But the Cards won't bring him up and give him a Mather-like role. He is 21, Mather is 25. Colby still needs at bats. That will be the case when he heals, unless one of the top four Cards outfielders gets hurt or gets traded.

You're right about the All-Star Game. The current set-up is ridiculous.

Dave Cobler: Hey Gordo;
TLR has expressed he needs an IMPACT BAT to hit behind Pujols. The presence that Barry Bonds brings to a lineup is the ingredient that I think gets Pujols better at bats. It will spread the rest of the lineup whereby the guys will be better fitted. One might ask, well, what do you do with the outfield mix that we currently have. My answer; Start clearing the roster for Rasmus arrival NOW...we need pitching help. We've got guys on the 25 man roster that could be traded who would get us some good pitching. CARP and WAINO should provide help soon and that will have a domino effect on the pitching staff...and is Mulder done OR NOT???
Personally, I think Ludwick would be the best trade chip RIGHT NOW. But, I think TLR would rather have Ludwick over Schumaker because of LUDS power. But I like Schu's game. I do not know what to think of DUNC other than continue to platoon him or trade him. Rasmus could platoon with BONDS for the rest of the year. Bonds might even be a GOOD TUTER. But I say give Bonds a chance. He is the best PRESENCE out there to get for 2 months to help in a pennant race as he has seen it all. He would come cheap and if the move proves to be not a fit the Cards could always say good-bye to him. But I beleive in TLR's strong leadership and with Pujols as well, I just think Bonds will conform to this team. Bottom line; THE CARDINAL OWNERSHIP TRIED TO BEAT CHICAGO and that is ALL Cardinal Nation can ask for!
What do you think Gordo?

Thanks Jeff!

Jeff Gordon: Bonds would be a fascinating addition in every regard. His addition would make sense IF he really is in playing shape -- 30 pounds lighter than the last time we saw him -- and he can really play the OF without hurting himself and the team. Also, he would have to come with zero-tolerance guidelines concerning his behavior. If he caused any clubhouse trouble at all, he would have to depart immediately.

This guy caused massive disruptions in Pittsburgh and San Francisco. La Russa can handle a guy like this and Albert would love to have him, but what about everybody else?

Although the Cards outfielders have put up impressive overall offensive numbers at the break, it is instructive to see that Albert has been walked intentionally 22 times and the next Card has three- Chris Duncan, the player who would have to depart to make room for Bonds.

Does Ludwick have trade value after two really good half-seasons? Probably not. The Cards ought to keep him and sign him to a two- or three-year contract for a LOT less money than Jason Bay will command in free agency. Aren't they the same guy? Bay's numbers haven't been as good as Ludwick's numbers the last two years and Ryan is a better outfielder.