Larry: What will the cornerback depth chart look like. After Hill and Brown, who will be right after them?

Jeff Gordon: With Brown out, Ron Bartell has stepped in again. My only concern: Bartell is so handy as a utility guy -- and might be one of the best options to fill in if either safety got hurt.

Faris Chehabi: Is there absolutely no way that John Greco starts?

Jeff Gordon: Well, a LOT of guys would have to get hurt. He appears better suited to play guard than tackle and the competition there is fierce. It appears thjis team still needs a quality third tackle to push Barron and/or fill-in for Pace if the Big O gets hurt again.

zimmy: When spezio was around i think he was our emergency catcher. since his departure who is the emergency closer now ? Miles?

Jeff Gordon: I don't know there is one -- which is why Josh Phelps, just killing the ball at Memphis this season, would be a welcome addition to the bench. That is one of the roles he could fill.

theimpossibleemu: With this season proving how important the closer position is, and with Perez's lack of command leaving no internal options for next year, what are the chances of the Cardinals dropping big dollars in an attempt to sign the leagues most dominant closer K-Rod in the off season? Or, even though the Cards will have 7 million of Izzy's money free, is 12 million a year too much for a relief pitcher even if they are lights out in the 9th?

Jeff Gordon: No, it would not be outrageous to pay that sort of money for K-Rod. But it would be very difficult to outbid Angels for him. And the closer role is an odd thing -- many of the best candidates come out of nowhere for the job. Right now the best internal candidate might be Kyle McClellan -- and that could be a real option should the team coax Lohse into sticking around. Otherwise, Kyle seems headed to the rotation

Rick: Hey, what's going on with Mulder? I have heard that they want him to rest for 2 more weeks - but not what they think is wrong. Is it scar tissue? Does he need more surgery? Does he go on a rehab assignment? Or is he going to retire?

Jeff Gordon: At this point, Cards management assumes he won't pitch again. A lot of doctors looked at him and none saw any need for more surgery. And if he DID need more work, he would retire.

It would be nice if he tried to throw again, especially with the roster expansion looming and the Cards hungry for lefty help of any description. But at this point, his issues are much mental as physical.