Frank: Mr. Strauss

I think the Cardinals are following a pattern seen here before. Win in 60's lose in 70's win in 80's, lose in 90's, win in 04,06 now we are heading into the bad decade.
I honestly do not feel they are attempting to keep up with the Cubs. What scares me is in todays economics, is the Cardinals may turn into the Brewers, or Pirates. I would hate to see Cardinal games looking like Ram games with no fans.
Do you think I am way off ?

Joe Strauss: Come on Frank. The "Naughties" as the English call the decade have produced 98-, 105 and 100-win seasons. two league championships and a World Series win. The team won 86 games last season, not great by local standards but hardly a meltdown. I do expect there to be some significant transition upon TLR's exit. But projecting 10 (or even three) years ahead is tough business. As long as this club retains 3 million attendance and incremental growth of a $100M payroll, there is no reason to expect a Nuclear Winter. Now if resources ebb....

Darin: I remember you saying in an earlier chat that if the Cards don't make a splash in the offseason, we would have reason to complain. So far they have signed 3 questionable lefties, and traded for a ss who is also questionable. None of these moves make me optimistic about 2009. Does Mozeliak have anything up his sleeve, or is this the team we'll see on Opening Day?

Joe Strauss: The club still has at least one trade to make.

Greg: This has been a most uninspiring offseason, in my opinion and I'm sure I'm not alone. Are the Cards really content with waiting for the market to "settle?" Why not be aggressive on a second tier starter and get something done? At this point, do Randy Wolf, Jon Garland, or Kenshin Kawakami get more than two years? Picking up any of those guys in addition to a veteran reliever and/or bench player is all the team really needs if Kennedy is, in fact, their 2B.

Joe Strauss: I believe at least one of the pitchers you named will fail to get three years. Indeed, they all may have to settle for 2 years. However, the Cardinals are not inclined to guarantee money to a veteran starte until Carpenter's situation clarifies. That should take another month. Kawakami, according to Japanese media, has a 3 year, $21 million offer. If that's true, he should accept it yesterday.

rich: Joe: Heard a little bit of your comments yesterday afternoon on Bernie's show. As always, very insightful stuff from you.
My question, or comment is this: With over 100 free agents still all there, plus trades that can be made, do you think we (Cards nation) are overreacting to the Cards lack of signings and trades so far? After all, like Jeff Gordan said in his column this morning 'opening day is still 90 days away' plenty of time to sign and or trade for players.

Thanks
Rich

Joe Strauss: Look, trading for Greene was a significant addition, many believe. When you see the Reds, Brewers and Astros making impact moves while the Cardinals remain static, your concern may be more justified. Right now, the Brewers have retreated. The Astros are on the books for $60M to four players this season with no payroll flexibility. The Reds are doing some interesting things but remain a work in progress. Right now, most I talk to believe the Cardinals the Central's second-best team. It's OK to be skeptical. But it's also OK to look around and see what others are (or are not) doing.

Tackleberry: Big Kahuna,

The reality of this off-season stings; that of course being that the Cards owners have the fans by the short hairs again this year with the All-Star game headed to the Lou. Fans want to get their tickets and so they will renew their season tickets, period. Why does this ownership group need to spend money on the product on the field when fans will come regardless? It's like the Masters, they don't need commercials and advertising to support their product so why would they pay for it?

Do you think rumors of a sale will surface at the end of the 2009 season?

Joe Strauss: There are constant rumors of a sale. BDJ denied those recently during a radio interview conducted by columnist Bernie Miklasz and the ChatMeister. This is not a good time to sell a sports franchise. However, the Cardinals do appear intent of purging long-term contracts. Only Albert, Wainwright, Molina and Carpenter are signed beyond 2009. The recent reluctance to spend on free agents only reinforces conspiracy theories. The Cardinals enjoy very stable ownership relative to the industry. One day that will change. But I can't tell you the day.