Joe Strauss: OK, OK, I know I'm late for this week's edition of JSL!!! I saw where the Cardinals GM was taking a swing as Chatmeister and I have to admit I'm more than a little put out with the number of ChatHead defectors to 'Mo Talk. For those of you looking for unvarnished truth and incessent self-promotion, we'll push on with this week's edition of Joe Strauss Live!!! Mozeliak got more than 53 pages of questions, more than double sent to the ChatMeister. Be warned. There's some keystroke envy going on here. JSL!!! is in a cranky mood. But whatever, Let's get it on!!!

Chris: You are truely the big stick! Only the chatmeister can follow the Cardinals GM in a live chat format and live to tell about it.

What type of 1-2 punch could Barton and Rasmus provide at the top of the lineup over the course of several years? Is there any chance of that happening?

Joe Strauss: Your big stick reference is much appreciated as well as accurate. There is a greater chance of seeing Barton-Rasmus at Memphis than in St. Louis. Raz' will start the year at Triple-A. Book it. But the ChatMeister has been impressed with the maturity of his at-bats even though other have fixated on raw numbers. Barton frankly looked like a stiff the first two weeks in camp but has surged to overcome an indifferent first impression. There is reason to be enthused about both. Barton could stick but I still believe there is a greater chance the club will try to work a deal with Cleveland to give it the flexibility to option him. If the Indians aren't willing, ChatMeister Mo' will have a tough call.

James: Joe almighty,

Is there any chance Matt Clement will pitch in April? I thought they watched him pitch before they signed him. If they had, wouldn't they notice he didn't have any arm strength?

Joe Strauss: His pace has been intentionally deliberate. A setback now would compromise much of his season. Barring complications, it's fair to expect him sometime in late May, but that is purely speculative since the club has yet to pencil him in for a game appearance. There is virtually no chance he will be ready Opening Day. Correct that. There is no chance he will be ready Opening Day. It is the opinion of JSL!!! that this rotation's chance of overachieving hinges on Clement's productivity. You can call me on it later.

Lillian: Hello Joe, We sure missed you during the winter. Ever since the Cardinals let three starting pitchers go free agents two years ago their pitching has been in disarray. Now, it looks like it could be in worse shape next year. What can the Cardinals do to fix this for 2009?

Joe Strauss: Get Pineiro healthy, hope that Mulder's positive vibe translates into a productive season and say a few rosaries. It is too late to "fix" the rotation. The Cardinals must succeed or fail with what they have.

Randy F: Chatmeister, Maybe Tony is the genious he sees himself to be in batting the pitcher 8th. After all the pitchers last year surely batted higher than the .091 our "second leadoff hitter" has done so why not bat Izturis 9th. Maybe we can move him to cleanup to give Albert some protection.

Joe Strauss: I've jabbed TLR on a few occasions about the arrangement. If the purpose is to put another hitter in front of your No. 3 guy (El Hombre), why not just bat him cleanup and the pitcher ninth? That said, Milwaukee Brewers manager Ned Yost is toying with the same concept. My take is this: If hitting the pitcher eighth is such a solid move (and perhaps it is), why not implement it when you have a 100- or 105-win club as opposed to a struggling one? TLR seems willing to experiment with the No. 4 slot. Rick Ankiel and Chris Duncan have received recent cameos there. Unsure whether Troy Glaus will receive further looks. Glaus has historically been a more productive hitter in the No. 5 spot than No. 4.