Tackleberry: Gordo,

On Friday during the game they flashed DeRosa's stats at each position in the order. The 7th spot looks like his strength, but it would seem that hitting him at #2 makes the most sense. I don't like seeing two "light" hitters stacked infront of Albert, nor do I like the "boom or bust" Ankiel fronting DeRosa behind Ludwick. Why won't Tony commit to an order and establish some consistency?

Jeff Gordon: I agree on DeRosa. That is a good stick. I'd rather have him grinding in the No. 2 hole or hitting either fifth (when Ludwick sits) ir sixth (when Ludwick plays.) Other teams understand Ankiel's weaknesses. He has been better, but he still a mistake hitter. I'd rather see Rick hitting seventh with his all-or-nothing approach.

St.Louie Louie: Hey G,
Don't get me wrong I'm happy with Mo's moves (Lugo move was slick) but wouldn't these have worked just as well or better and saved a ton?
Let's say instead of Holliday, Lugo and DeRosa we would have gotten Cliff Lee, Felipe Lopez and Russ Springer...and called Wallace up for 3rd?
To me it seems like that would have been way smarter and cost effective.
Thoughts?

Jeff Gordon: Here's another factor: David Freese is back from ankle surgery and hitting well in the minors. He would offer a good glove at third and some bottom-of-the-order pop.

Lugo for Duncan was a great deal, one that brought a free hitter while unloading some dead offensive weight. Not sure why Boston was so eager to dump Julio. So that deal could have done anyway, regardless of what the other moves were.

On Lee, I'm not sure this team could have made that deal with the pitching left on the cupboard. But, yes, adding pitching instead of hitter stacked on top of hitter would have been an interesting alternative.

Nick Rolando: Gordo, first of all was that you Friday at the Cards-Astros game in the front row third base side? Also, I was wondering if you thought that the Rams rebuildong effort was equivalent to the Blues and what they faced? Seems like the same task for Devaney, Spags, Demoff, etc. with trying to replinish the roster.

Jeff Gordon: Not me. I was in the stands Monday, down the first base line.

The Rams deal is similar to the Blues' challenge, but there is hope for a quicker turnaround. In the NHL, most draft picks need years to develop. It can take several years to turn a team.

The Rams can turn this thing in two years if the draft well and reallocate their salary money wisely. The Rams had a lot of high-priced guys go south at once, so this could be a painful transition year. But Year 2 should be much better than Year 2 of the Davidson regime.

John W: Jeff,

The Cardinals keep charging, and a big reason has been the success of Chris Carpenter. I know he missed several starts this season, but his numbers have been phenomenal. Do you think he has a chance at the Cy Young? Look how they stack with (arguably) the frontrunner, Tim Lincecum:

Carpenter: 10-3, 2.10 ERA, 0.95 WHIP
Lincecum: 11-3, 2.18 ERA, 1.05 WHIP

What say you, Gordo?

Jeff Gordon: Tim strikes out a LOT of hitters and that is sexy. Plus he has been among the stat leaders all year. Chris just made the list because of the innings=pitched factor. I can see Chris winning most of his remaining starts with this lineup behind and leading the NL in wins.

But Lincecum is a media darling AND there is that big K total. Hie teammate Matt Cain and Carp's buddy Wainwright could also be there at the end.

jjones2113: I came over from the Kansas City area this past week and saw one of the Dodger games. We stayed at one of the downtown hotels, and experienced the difference between seeing the Royals, and the Cardinals. The stadium was packed, its downtown within walking distance of the hotels, and I talked to fans from as far away as DC. Because Royals stadium is on the edge of town, we'll never have a similar experience especially since the team in last place or close to it. The only disquieting moment for me was when Todd Wellemeyer was booed after giving up a hit...very poor.

Jeff Gordon: Well, forgive the fans for that. Todd's had a rough year and everybody knew that was coming.

I worked in Kansas City in the early 80s and loved Royals Stadium. But lived almost within walking distance and I can verify that there is little else to do out there.That is the pitfall of building a stadium in, say, Earth City -- an area that always comes up when a new football stadium is discussed.