DisCard: Good Afternoon,

Okay, color me stunned. They asked 4 Post writers the number one remaining priority and none said closer. If the Cards had a closer last year they would have been in the playoffs, even with a weakened rotation.
Add a closer and the right side of the bullpen falls into place and could be exceptional. They have one lefty (not counting the two minor league signings) and I could name you several teams that made the playoffs with only one lefty.

Depth on the staff would be nice, but you could see from last year that even in a leaner market, last minute pitching was available and almost always is via trade. Wainwright, Loshe and Wellemeyer could well go +20, so a couple of .500 pitchers may be all it takes.

I keeping hearing this closer by committee pitch. I've seen it tried often; but I have seldom seen it work.

Where do you see the closer ranking? If the Mets go K-Rod, what’s the excuse for not signing Wood or Fuentes (latter seems a better bet to stay healthy)? Any buzz on Greene’s character?

Jeff Gordon: I still believe the closer role may be addressed. The market for closers will be defined once the Mets decide between K-Rod, Fuentes and other FA and trade possibilities. K-Rod and Fuentes started out dreaming of five-year deal and now they are down to three years.

I'm intrigued by Wood, since the Cards could back him up with top prospects. The Cards would only bring Izzy back to compete for work, not for a guaranteed role. That leaves Chris Perez as the leading candidate with Jason Motte (16 Ks, 3 BBs in 11 innings) and Josh Kinney (8 Ks, 1 BB in 7 IP) as competitors.

Michael Kent: Jeff ...

It's my humble opinion that the Cards ought to keep Adam Kennedy and give him his fair shot in the last year of his contract. After all, similar to your observation about Khalil Greene in your Dec. 4 column, shouldn't Kennedy be "highly motivated to drive up his market value"?

And as your colleague Derrick Goold reported Friday, Kennedy said he "would have no problem coming back if I knew I was going to get a fair shot at starting. I just want to play."

So the big question is whether TLR understands that Kennedy will be highly motivated to perform big in 2009? As a left-handed hitter, shouldn't Kennedy get the lion's share of at-bats for the 2B position?

Of course, Kennedy has a responsibility to stay out of TLR's dog house. If he does that, shouldn't the signs point to a big season for a middle infield of Adam Kennedy and Khalil Greene?

Thanks.

Jeff Gordon: I talked to Mozeliak Friday and he noted that Adam's "aggregate numbers" were pretty good. And that's true. His defense wasn't bad, either. Would he play with more zeal if he knew he was destined for 475 to 500 ABs this year? Perhaps. And since Mozeliak is no mood to eat his $4 million contract -- money he couldn't spend elsewhere, like the bullpen -- he is inclined to give it a shot. Adam did hit .280 with 17 doubles in 339 ABs. Three years ago he hit 26 doubles and drove in 55 runs.

9elbirdos: Gordo,

Would Ramon Vasquez be a viable option at second base for the Cardinals?
I know he was a super sub for the Ranger's in the past but does his play warrant at least a look?

Jeff Gordon: Right now, Kennedy is the guy. Mozeliak won't deal him unless another team takes his salary. Since Adam is a .276 career hitter, he is not a bad option -- especially if Miles can be secured as the extra infielder.

Tackleberry: I recently read Goold's column where Mo speculates on the possible return of Kennedy, and says he'd be penciled in as the starter. Tough economic times or not, LaRussa is a chemistry coach. He thrives when he can concentrate on the game and not the locker room. The more distractions he has to deal with, the more he tinkers. He is a Hall of Fame coach, but when he gets over-loaded with personnel problems (injuries included) he starts to make very unorthodox decisions. Often times, in these situations, he ignores the obvious and focuses on the obscure. It seems his "genius" flows best when it flows naturually, not when it is forced. I'd fear this same problematic situation arising if Mo brings Izzy back. Why set up LaRussa to battle with loyalty vs. common sense?

Mo can't fix all the problems with this team in free agency, some of it has to fall on LaRussa and the players. But there is a blueprint for LaRussa's success, Mo should review it.

Jeff Gordon: I don't know that Adam is a disruptive guy. He took his half-time role last season pretty well, all considering. The year before was a mess, true.

Izzy is a good team guy, but if he returned, it would have to be on the condition he earned whatever role he got by pitching well. He has exhausted his margin for error. I don't know if Jason would be willing to go that far.

Tim: I really dont like the Greene trade for a few reasons first of all lets say he bounces back and hits 27 homeruns again hes still probably only going to hit .240-.250 at best and is goin to ad 130 strikouts to a lineup that already strike ou quite a bit it you take out Pujols and Molina. His on base percentage is terrible, we need a SS and a 2b that can get on base and cause some meyham on the base path so the four big bats in our lineup can take care of the rest, he cant provide that. Im sick of watching year after year the Cards finding these players at discount prices for 1 year instead of making commitments to solid players that could substantially improve this team. we have the money to spend I just dont get why front office is perfectly content with having a subpar team and dissapointing some pretty god damn loyal fans that provide that money in the first place. Its pretty much a kick in the face.

Jeff Gordon: The Cards aren't looking for Greene to get on base and wreak havoc on the bases. He will be an extra bat, probably for the bottom of the order. He might drive in 50 more runs than the previous SS without sacrificing defense. I'll take that.

The Cards have made big long-term commitments to Albert, Carpenter, Wainwright, Lohse and Molina. In the past, they took care of Rolen, Edmonds, Isringhausen and Mulder for the long haul. In the future, the club will try to lock the best players in, wherever possible.