Calvin Kirk: Joe: Have the Cardinals given any serious thought to Ryan Franklin becoming a starter? He has enough stuff and came to STL to be a starter. Seems Springer could pitch the 8th inning. I think this move could help the rotation.

Joe Strauss: Franklin is open to the move. The club apparently is not.

Irene: I love listening to Memphis Redbirds broadcaster Steve Selby on the radio but the Redbirds have been so bad the last two years, is there anyway Steve gets to call some good baseball this summer?

Joe Strauss: Apparently if Steve does not see some good Redbirds baseball this season he may have the opportunity to watch another franchise's affilate in 2009. By the way, is this Mrs. Selby?
Just kidding: Selby is one of the best Triple-A announcers I've ever listened to. He doesn't try to fool the fans and has a smooth delivery. He and Charlie Lea do a great job in Memphis. I thought the Cardinals missed an opportunity after purchasing KTRS to offer him a major-league opportunity in some capacity. Don't get me wrong. Hadley and Claiborne are great. But Selby also has something to offer a major-league market. Selby does have one major drawback: According to well-placed organizational sources, he exhibits alligator arms every time a dinner bill arrives.

snakestl: Joe, I must ask you again, when are the Cardinals going to construct a major league starting rotation?

Joe Strauss: I'll get back to you. Right now they don't have the answer, either.

Chris: What's the probability our rotation after the all star break is Adam W., Joel P., Matt C., Mark M. and Chris C., and if so, what are our chances of winning the division?

Thanks

Joe Strauss: If those guys are healthy and the Redbirds are within five games at the break, I'll drink Kool-Aid with you. Deal?

Ricky: Hey Joe,

First let me apologize to you. I sent an email last week and I was "venting" alittle and used the four letter word beginning with the letter "H". By no means was that intended to offend any of our great fanbase of the Cardinals. So let me try this again.

Instead of the front office spending 2 - 5 million apeice on 2 or 3 reconstructed or surgically repaired arms each year, why not go out and trade for a good young quality starter (Like a Joe Blanton) and pay him the 5 - 8 million that it would take. Blanton has not missed a start in 3 years. What do you think? And again, my I apoligize for my comments last week.

Joe Strauss: No problem. The ChatMeister is a forgiving type (except when his favorite NCAA five gives up a freebie lay-up at the buzzer to miss the number.) You're assuming that a) the A's would trade Blanton and b) the Cardinals have what it takes to get him. I don't follow. Quality young arms are the game's most valuable commodity. There are other, more legitimate things to critique the club for than this one.