Brett R.: Gordo, the Cards should have some cash avaliable next winter as well. What do you think they'll try to do next offseason. Young, cheap guys like Rasmus, Wallace, Perez, Mortensen will likely be here. A middle infielder, with Kennedy and Greene FA's should be a priority, am I right? Maybe try to get that proverbial impact bat as well. Your insight is much appreciated.

Jeff Gordon: Let's see what they do with Ryan Ludwick, in terms of a multi-year deal. Do they sign Rick Ankiel to a long-term deal? Do they keep Greene or Glaus? I would expect the Cards to allow one of the young third basemen to step in, thus freeing up dollars for other needs.

The expiring '09 contracts do play a part in what happens this winter, since Mozeliak knows he has future flexibility.

Taylor: Will the Cardinals make an impact move yet this offseason? Also, what are the chances we sign Penny to a one year deal? Thanks.

Jeff Gordon: Penny opted for Boston and a chance to win win right away. Can't blame him. His shoulder woes were scary to the Cards, who lived the horror of Clement, Mulder and Carpenter last year.

DisCard: Happy New Year!
Hopefully it will be that for all of us. I find it interesting Fuentes hasn't signed an Angel contract as of yet. Are you reading anything into that or is it just a holiday delay.

Is it your impression the Cards are actively talking with any of these starting pitchers and if so any clue to what they are thinking in terms of an offer? I don't see how Lowe's situation makes all negotiation pointless.

It still seems likely to me that the Cards will try to move an outfielder. I just can't figure out what they would be moving one to acquire. Any decent lefty bullpen guys you think are being offered?

Jeff Gordon: The Fuentes issue is money. What he wanted -- and what he may finally settle for -- could be miles apart. The Angels must also shop for another bat, so that search will impact what gets spent (or not) on Fuentes.

It appears Mozeliak is taking a wait and see approach, since there will be some solid FA starting pitchers who don't get big offers.

As for the outfielders, a trade still seems logical. But what if the team kept all that offense and exploited the buyer's market to fill a few pitching needs.

ramfanoncapecod: ok last game good thing i saw was jackson yelling at hasslet bad thing i saw was again the play calling saunders needs to go we had alot of time to go and we again paniced what do you think? by the way happy new year

Jeff Gordon: Saunders is getting flogged, again, but let's face it: Marc Bulger was NOT going to march the team down the field for a TD. That was just not going to happen.

Tim: What do you think christmas was like for the Dewitt family? Im sure eveyones thinking that their still opening gifts right now due to the hard earned fan money that Dewitt inherits while hes sitting on his a** doing nothing watching a subpar team filled with his budget players not make the playoffs. Im kind of wondering though if its a little like this. I bet its the christmas where dewitt picks up alot of his gifts from the dollar store. I bet he goes through other peoples dumpsters looking for old used up toys that nobody wants to keep his wallet fat. I bet its the kina Christmas where he promised his son or grandson that new top of the line bike he wants so much but because a deal couldnt get worked out because the language was bad or it was too much money for that good a bike or the moon was too full last tuesday he couldny get it for him so instead he got a picture of a bike. I also bet its the kinda offseason where instead of chesnuts roasting on an open fire its Mozeilaks nuts on the fire. Am I in the ballpark

Jeff Gordon: Dumpster players:

Pujols: 7 years, $100 million.
Carpenter: 5 years, $63.5 million.
Lohse: 4 years, $41 million.
Molina, 4 years, $15,5 million.
Wainwirght: 4 years, $15 million.

That's some dumpster.