Tim: If we do trade Ankiel I think we should try everything to work a deal with the Yankees. The way I see it we could get Cano and either Hughes or Kennedy for him. Id rather have Hughes. I think the Cards might have to throw in a little more but it definitly could get done. At that point I would see what we have to give up to get Downs from Toronto. I dont know what that would do to our salary cap but then if possible I would try to sign Fuentes Lowe or Perez. And shop around Kennedy Piniero And mabye Wellemeyer. What do you think?

Jeff Gordon: Mozeliak has learned that Kennedy has no trade value, unless the Cards pay his salary. That's not going to happen. Pineiro has limited trade value, so the Cards are better off giving him another year with Duncan. Wellemeyer is a bargain starter who flourishes with Duncan, so trading him isn;t an option.

Trading Ankiel IS an option, especially if the Cards could convert him into pitching help. The Yankees have a lot of guys in play, so keep an eye on that.

If the Angels stay interested in Fuentes, Anaheim will get him. If Mark Teixeira signs elsewhere, the Angels will have the money to easily outbid the Cards. So, yes, Mozeliak may have to go the trade route.

Michael Kent: Jeff ...

Something that nobody has mentioned yet about the Cards in 2009 is that they start the season with only one off day in the first 35 days. Clearly, this puts the onus on Mo and Company to make sure they have five starting pitchers identified and ready to go.

The discussion has been that the Cards will look for another starter as a Chris Carpenter contingency, but with 34 games in 35 days to start the season, I'd almost wonder if the Cards should be looking for two starters because invariably somebody seems to get injured during spring training (e.g., Joel Pineiro last year).

Or, do you feel TLR and DD have enough flexibility with Brad Thompson, Kyle McClellan, and Mitchell Boggs to cover any injury outbreak that might hit the rotation?

Also, given this marathon start to the season, do you think TLR and DD might do anything creative with the rotation to get through that first month-plus? For example, what about going with a six-man rotation, or perhaps a four- or even three-man rotation with the other starters getting three innings guaranteed (but no more) every other day?

Thanks.

Jeff Gordon: The Cards get April 20 off. Hope they enjoy that.

I agree that additional starting pitching help is needed. As I've said, Mozeliak should use Carpenter's medical updates to sop up coffee stains. They mean nothing. What means something is Carpenter actually making good starts week after week after week. When that happens, then Mo can finally count on them. Until then . . .

Boggs will be a depth guy to start the season. Thompson should be an emergency guy. McClellan is an option IF the Cards add another proven late-inning pitcher.

So, yes, the Cards still need another candidate.

Tim: Would the Cards have any interest in Taveras especially if they start trading outfielders?

Jeff Gordon: This team has a zillion outfielders in development, which is why the Cards are looking to deal one or more of them. Taveras isn't a great leadoff option.

Tim: Are the Senators still looking to trade Jason Spezza? I know they were looking to move him in the summer annd saw the Blues were interested. I would love to pick him up and it seems like we have the pieces to do it.

Jeff Gordon: Spezza would be a cornerstone center, but I don't know that the Blues really DO have what it takes to make that deal. If I'm Davidson, I re-sign McDonald for a couple of years to allow Berglund to grown into the long-term No. 1 here. He looks more and more capable of assuming that role.

Griff21: What can you tell us about Amury marti(sp?) I know the OF is packed. and Marti's age has been an issue, he could be anywhere from 25 - 40. Haven't seen any stats over the winter but this guy can hit so far every level & assignment , he has hit. do the cards see him as anything more than a minor leaguer? can he play other positions than the outfield, or since hes a righty does that give him a boost?

Jeff Gordon: He IS an older guy. He can hit all day, but he offers neither power or base stealing ability. Had this team had less outfield depth, I suppose he could have stuck at Memphis and eventually come up as an extra bat.

As it is, the Cards have about 10 big league-caliber outfielders stacked up, counting still-developing hitters like Jay, Jones and Wallace.