Michael Kent: Jeff ...

Two questions:

1) Sunday, Izzy lets another 9th inning lead slip through his hands. Any chance that Kyle McClellan gets his shot at the closer role? I know he's a rookie, but as I recall, the Cards won a World Series the last time they replaced Izzy with a rookie in the closer role.

2) Offensively, so far, the Cards have clearly ended up on the better end of the Rolen-for-Glaus trade. Who has the advantage defensively so far ... the Blue Jays or the Redbirds?

Thanks.

Jeff Gordon: Glaus made a rare error Sunday, but otherwise he has been reliable at third. He will never match Rolen as a fielder, though. Scott is one of the best defensive third basemen ever.

McClellan seems destined for the rotation next season. Unless Franklin falters down the stretch, he'll stay in his current "Josh Kinney Role" for the rest of the season. Kyle has been invaluable so far this season, taking the ball over and over and over again. His ability to get lefties out is huge, since the Cards lefties aren't the best.

If Franklin crumbles and Carpenter does come back, perhaps Wellemyer could move from the rotation into a late-inning role. Or maybe Perez could come back if he masters his slider at Memphis.

HEG: Gordo here we are on Monday morning and somehow the Cardinals won 4 games over the week-end; but I am getting dizzy with Izzy trying to close games; it is so obvious that he is not going to help the ballclub in any capacity he probably has no value on the trade market and the team is stuck with his salary; the greatest need is in the relief corp and I don't know if the team can improve with what is available on the market; maybe they will just have to grind it out with the present team juggling with the AAA roster and hope for the best and early return with Wainwright and Carp; what is your take on their status now?

Jeff Gordon: Well, the situation is fluid. Right now Isringhausen can't pitch with the game on the line, so the bullpen could use another proven arm. Mozeliak ought to be able to land somebody before the waivers-free deadline by dealing an outfielder (Duncan, Mather, Stavinoha or Jay.)

donald s box: How much longer are the cardinals going to run izzy out there. I think he still has something wrong with his hip.Watch how he puts his foot down when he make his delivery. And why not give this kid barton a chance to play shortstop.

Jeff Gordon: Barton is a natural outfielder. He also has, by comparison to most Cards outfielders, a subpar arm. He is on the disabled list with a broken hand I'm guessing that he will eventually do the maximum rehab stint in Memphis before returning to the majors.

As for Izzy, it may be a while before he pitches with the game on the line again. La Russa hasn't given up on him, but he knows he has better late-inning options right now. Jason just can't hit his spots with any consistency.

Jack: I've noticed the Cardinals making alot of moves bring people up and down in there farm system this year already. So do other teams make as many moves involving there farm system as the Cardinals team.

Jeff Gordon: The Cards have made it a point of emphasis to upgrade their farm system address major league needs from within. That said, this team HAS suffered an unusual number of injuries. It is quite unusual for a playoff contender to have 10 or more players make their big league debuts in a season.

So far, anyway, the Cards have done OK while plugging Memphis Redbirds into their roster holes. But can that success continue as their rivals add proven big leaguers for the stretch run?

tim: I dont think the Cards should even consider parting with Rasmus unless Holliday is involved in the deal. Would you make that trade. I know hes expensive but look at that lineup when you got Pujols Holliday Ankiel Ludwick and Glaus. Its almost irresistable.

Jeff Gordon: Holliday is a fabulous player, but I could certainly live with a Rasmus/Ludwick/Pujols/Ankiel/Glaus/Molina lineup while investing in more power at either shortstop or second base. Rasmus would offer a significant power upgrade over Schumaker. Do something similar at shortstop and you would really have something.

Holliday will command Pujols money on his next deal. This team has many outfielders on the rise, so the organziation is better off investing the dollars elsewhere.