Joe R. from Pa: Why Ring when there are better, more proven, options available? Who cares if they would want a muti year deal. We need lefties in the bullpen past 2009. I, unlike many, want to believe the ownership is sincere about being aggressive. After this signing one would think they are being cheap. There's even a difference between low hanging fruit and the stuff that's already on the ground. I know counselors are standing by and I may need one. Please explain the logic. Thanks Joe

Joe Strauss: Ring came at the right price ($475,000). The Cardinals have acquired three low-cost options (Manning, Miller, Ring). You should assume Miller part of the roster, barring injury. I doubt both Manning and Ring are on the Opening Day roster, so one represents depth. Though chairman Bill DeWitt recently said there is no budget for payroll per se, the Cardinals obviously work within constraints. Prior to the recent economic meltdown, my understanding was that payroll would be $100-$105 million to open the season. The club says it is leaving wiggle room in case it needs to make a major addition to the starting rotation, and that such a reading will not be possible until early February. There's your explanation. There is also suspicion that pitchers such as Joe Beimel and Will Ohman may fail to command more than one-year deals. But they are not willing to accept such a markdown at present.

GSW: Chatmeister,

A well-written but depressing read this morning regarding Mr. Ring. If this is this really all that $475,000 buys these days, I guess the baseball economy has successfully avoided the recession.

Please share your wisdom to help the rest of us weather the economic storm: Sooners or Gators? Over or under? Boxers or briefs - no, wait . . .

As always, you da man!

Joe Strauss: From the same source who predicted Texas and OSU would end as a one-possession (but struggled mightily with the NFL wild card games), consider this free money: Florida 38, Boomer Sooner 32.

J.Brad: Herr Chatmeister,
Geez, where ya been?
Shouldn't the Cardinals have tendered Miles a contract worthy of starter pay, since he plays several positions and is basically invalubale under the system Tony uses? (needing an all around guy who can rest regulars, play all over the IF/OF, etc...) To me, this one really hurts.
Also, did Fuentes just not want to be a Cardinal? The money didn't seem that much different.
Last question--will we see some movement in spring training or do the Cards have an idea to sign someone we don't know about?
Thanks!
J.Brad in TN

Joe Strauss: Miles was a key reason why the Cardinals overachieved last year. He did a lot of things pretty well but does not have a single outstanding talent. The Cubs paid him to start. I've said before in this forum that Miles can quickly become overexposed, especially on defense, when played daily. That said, he improved as a defensive player in 3 seasons here. He was a great clubhouse guy. There may have been some merit to trying to sign Miles before non-tendering him. Miles said during the season that if the club non-tendered him for a second straight season, he would aggressively pursue other options. He found one. The Cardinals claim they got involved late. That tells me one of two things happened: There was an internal wrangle over whether or not to release Adam Kennedy OR the Cardinals simply got caught flat-footed. Of course, there may be a 3rd option: That they never really intended to retain him. (I believe there was sentiment to bring him back, but not near the Cubs' dollars.)

Chris: Joe,
What's the percentage no outfielder is traded and Rasmus starts the season in triple A again?

Joe Strauss: Since you asked -- 40 percent.

Joel: Joe,

I'm always very impressed with the way you do your business here. You give straight answers, have plenty of wisdom, etc. In addition, you continually churn out insightful and well-done stories. It's no surprise the Tsunami reaches the heights it does! However, I was stunned when I saw you'd been elected Speaker of the Texas House. How do you do it all?

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/firstreading/entries/2009/01/06/the_joe_straus_era_begins.html

Joe Strauss: I'm looking for an agent. You're hired.