Zimmy: after an exciting and frustrating season, it seems as tho we are all but out of the playoffs, barring a miracle. The team had a solid foundation, but as needs/ injuries arose MO fell flat on his face and let the team wither & flail. Jocketty always found a vet to fill a hole, usually at the expense of a couple mid level prospects.
Loshe was an awesome stroke of luck. but I have to say if this is how MO operates the next few years will be very long and arduous.

Jeff Gordon: Lohse was a good signing, not a stroke of luck. The Glaus-for-Rolen deal was one of the best in major league baseball this year. Lopez was a nice pick-up, ala Jocketty. So Mozeliak's track record is fine. The dearth of meaningful deals at the trade deadline -- across both leagues -- tells you that there wasn't much out there.

This winter will be a different story. "Mo" knows what he has and doesn't have. He needs left-handed relief help, middle infielders who can produce runs and a couple of starting pitchers with Lohse and Looper reaching free agency. He will have money to spend and assets to deal.

He will be on the clock.

Zimmy: Do you think the Blues will make a move yet? Mckee to LA, Mckee for afinaginov(sp?) If we move him will we have enough veteran Dmen?
& then theres Shanny, i was intrigued but not really thrilled by that rumor. for the numbers being bounced around I would have liked them to look at a younger player. Unless its pure PR...

Jeff Gordon: Shanny still seems destined for the Rangers, since his kids are back in school in New York. A D-man deal is always possible, especially if the front office likes what it sees from Junland this month. If he makes a quick adjustment to the North American game, that will really give the team blue line depth.

Things seem quiet on the Blues front. The team might bring in a veteran forward for a tryout, but otherwise the emphasis is still on the kids.

kat89447: Hi Gordo,
I am sure my question has been asked and answered, but I was curious to see if the state of Cardinal Nation has changed your opinion. Who do you think we re-sign, Looper or Lohse? In my opinion it would seem the smart money goes after Looper, he has similar stats to Lohse and we know how to use him and he seems more willing to go where needed in (bullpen) an emergency. I think his senority as a Card also should be rewarded. While I think Lohse is a great pitcher, I hate paying the Boras rate.
One other thing, with the Cards seemingly out of the run for postseason, wouldn't it be wise to shut Ank down till they figure out what is really going on with him? We have the call ups on their way and it would be nice to see the team do the right thing and keep him from getting worse, instead of beating him up some more and later saying he's out due to a sports hernia. I hate to see him out of it, especially if we pull off another miracle Sept., but I hate to see him take a chance to injure himself to the point of being out the beginning of next year even more.

Jeff Gordon: Can't argue with point on Ankiel. Playing hurt (twice!) was a bad idea for Duncan. He lost his stroke and never really got it back.

With Lohse failing to add to his win total/market value, he will come in well under the Sabathia/Sheets price. I would make him the top priority. I would try to keep Looper, too, unless his price inexplicably got too high. Both pitchers embrace the Duncan system and both would fit nicely behind Carpenter and Wainwright.

If these guys get away, the Cards must sign two free agents capable of winning 12 to 16 games. Since the team knows these guys can succeed here, the Cards ought to pay a little more to make sure they stay.

DeRam4life: the rams have taken an undrafted linebacker and made him into one of the best in the league(London Fletcher). i still dont know why he was allowed to leave, our defense hasnt been the same since, and now we get "Q". Will this guy be as good as advertised?

Jeff Gordon: Culberson will be solid, but he's not another "dot.com." Obviously the previous regime made a big mistake letting Fletcher go. The guy was a playmaker.

DeRam4life: Why did we not resign Isaac Bruce? Drew Bennett all but showed last year that he is really a fringe player. Isaac should have gotten that money instead. I looked at our payroll and Bennett is one of the highest paid rams. This is a travesty and makes us look like a joke. Bennett came from the Titans, my home team, and we all know that they are 3 yards and a cloud of dust team. What idiot made this decision? Also, in the past our front office would not have signed Manning Jr. Im liking Devaney more and more every day. Your thoughts Gordo.

Jeff Gordon: Devaney is a sharp man. This draft underscores that. Everybody picked can play. Bennett was clearly a mistake, especially at those dollars. I'd rather have another year of Bruce, who would have helped Avery and Burton adapt to the NFL.