DisCard: I don't understand all the doom & gloom. If the ball Ludwick hits off Weaver is fair, the Cards may well win game one. One miscue caused the game 2 loss. This wasn't a steamroller job.

The rush to sign DeRosa confuses me. Does he really want a backup role? Surely Freese gets the start and if Holiday stays, do you really platoon Schumaker as well as his hitting came along against lefties. Plus you already have Lugo for free. Shouldn't they settle Holiday first and then look to DeRosa if Holiday moves on?

Not that anyone would dare ask him, but do you think Duncan believes the Bosox were in on the conspiracy to drive his CD out of baseball?

Jeff Gordon: With Boras handling Holliday, there are no guarantees there. By locking in DeRosa, the Cards management team will make sure its offense will be solid again next season. Maybe Freese will break out, ala Ryan this year, or maybe he will need to ease in as a part-timer. DeRosa offers protection. He could play some 3B, platoon against lefties at 2B and also play some outfield. When healthy, DeRosa is a sturdy .270/20/80-type player.

If Holliday goes elsewhere -- and if the Cards can't get Bay away from Boston -- then DeRosa could pull regular OF duty as a fallback option. The Cards could then allocate more money for pitching.

Mark: Gordo-

I think I speak for all of STL when I say I am very nervous about the Albert Pujols situation. I think its going to be very hard to pay him what he deserves and keep quality players around him. Our minor league system is on its way, but its not there yet. Money may not be everything, but he could get paid and have a good team around him in a bigger market.

How real is the chance that AP may not be in a Cardinal uniform in 2012?

Thanks!

Jeff Gordon: The Cards ownership will make him leave a lot of money on the table to reach free agency. He will have to take some real risk, especially with an elbow that will someday need reconstruction.

The Cards can easily afford to pay him Teixeira money (who goes a long way in the STL)while keeping a good talent base around him.

Keeping him AND paying Matt Holliday top dollar would be more challenging. That's why there has to be a ceiling for Holliday offers.

Sean B: It seems like every year Dunc gets a project to work with and turns their career around. Do you think that will be the case this offseason for our 5th starter? Any names in mind?

Jeff Gordon: There will be plenty of guys out there. I see Jaime Garcia getting every chance to join Carpenter, Wainwright and Lohse. I see Smoltz taking one more shot here. Assuming Pineiro and Wellemeyer both depart as free agents, the Cards will definitely be in the market for a veteran candidate to compete with those two.

A Garland-type or a Wolf-type would fit well.

Sean B: Who could be some potential bullpen help for us the offseason? Would Billy Wagner be a fit?

Jeff Gordon: Billy hinted at retirement, but his agent squashed that. He would certainly be worth a look if he wants to pitch again. Valverde and Chad Cordero are others.

Cardsfan112056: Gordo, if the Cardinals do not land Holliday, it looks like Pujols is setting himself up to leave for greener pastures. Wouldn't it be prudent to put him on the trade market now to acquire good starting pitching while the getting is good for his value as the player he is now? Given he is an MVP 2-years in a row but it looks as though Albert is out for Albert so shouldn't the front office take the same tack for the Organization? After all, TLR is always saying good pitching shuts down good hitting!! Thanks for the time!

Jeff Gordon: Trading the best hitter of his era is never a good idea. Bad franchises may do that, but not good ones. Anybody acquired for Albert wouldn't be nearly as good, so why bother?

Why deal for multiple players? A GM can always build depth through player development and smart free-agent buys. There is no reason to trade great players for good ones.

If Albert leaves in two years, he leaves. In the meantime, the Cards will try to reach two more postseasons. After the 2011 season, the Cards would collect the compensatory picks and spend the $20 million-plus per season to retool the roster.