Joe Strauss: All right, everybody up!!! The ChatMeister has remained back in Jupiter to perform his weekly service for those of you who a) Can't get enough thought-provoking, insightful information about your favorite ballclub or b) are looking for any excuse to bag 60-90 minutes of work on a Wednesday afternoon. Either way, I hope you've forwarded your question or comment because YOU are what makes JSL!!! the unstoppable cyber-force it has become. Sorry we couldn't bring back John Mozeliak as this week's warm-up act but based on last week's tsunami of interest, Mo' may be back at some point this season. Meanwhile, you'll have to deal with yours truly. So Let's Get It On!!!

Jeff: What is the deal with Pujols and his elbow issues, he looks awesome this spring. Is there a chance he gets shut down or is he determined to play through the pain?

Joe Strauss: For the 693rd time this spring, Pujols is not in jeopardy of immediate shutdown barring a rupture of his ulnar collateral ligament. The condition has somewhat degenerated over the last five years but is considered "playable." Should El Hombre become unproductive because of the tear, he will have surgery. Based on this spring, I don't see that as an issue at present.

Steve: Oh Wisest One.
How much service time does Ankiel have? With his extended rehabs, trips back to the minors, and I believe brief release when he retired from pitching, he has spent less than 6 years on the major league roster. Is he a free agent after this year? Arbitration eligible?
If he has a good year is it going to be hard to sign him?
Thanks.

Joe Strauss: Ankiel has 4.033 years of major-league service. He was arbitration-eligible this winter but agreed to a one-year, $900,000 deal. He will again be arbitration-eligible after this season. The Cardinals might like to sign him following a strong season but Ankiel's agent, Scott Boras, is philosophically opposed to his clients signing without availing themselves of free agency. So the answer is, yes, it will be difficult for the Cardinals to tie Ankiel up if he hits 30 home runs and drives in 90-plus as the ChatMeister expects.

Dave Laskarzewski: Mr. Strauss, It appears that the feeling Cards' fans had when Mr. Mozeliak signed Izturis is coming true - he is not the answer, not even short term. So. Why not proactively explore a trade? With a plus of outfielders, send Duncan + Ludwick or Barton + minor leaguer to Anaheim/LA for Brandon Wood (kind of the odd prospect out there) + a draft pick. Izturis could become a roll player off the bench, sent to AAA or released.

Joe Strauss: Eating a $2.85 million contract before Izturis had a chance to play a game in St. Louis would be huge admission by a first-year GM. I don't see that happening. Though it's up to Izturis to prove he can again be a productive, everyday player, I believe he will show better defensively during the season than the player who entered today's action with more Grapefruit League errors than hits. Of all the moves the Cardinals finalized this winter, the Izturis deal smacked most of panic. Izturis strikes me as a good guy and a conscientious player who is pressing. He drove in 16 runs in 314 at-bats last season and was displaced in Chicago by Ryan Theriot. Izturis has something to prove. Right now that may be getting in his way.

Bud Floor: Defense is a very important part of baseball as all pitchers know. Can you give some information on defensive abilities of Cardinals players? For example one Cardinal has been called above average and a person who will never be able to play defense at any level or any position. How can we know without great involvement with the team? Has anyone done a study on defensive abilities of professional players?

Joe Strauss: Quantifying defensive value is very difficult. Range factors, zone ratings, etc., rely on outside influences such as pitcher types and ballpark dimensions. This may offend some, but my experience is a scout's eye is typically the best indicator. As one GM suggested earlier this spring when asked your question, "Just watch the game." It's interesting that Derek Jeter can win multiple Gold Gloves and yet be ranked by one statistical formula as the worst starting shortstop in either league. I'm not a Jeter honk, but he's certainly not the position's worst defender.