Joe Strauss: All right, everybody up for the much-anticipated Grapefruit League finale of JSL!!!, the runaway standard for on-line chat in the city, the region and, according to The Morning After on AM-1380, the known universe. I appreciate the tsunami of questions that have inundated the board this week. Things have changed since today's Post-Dispatch was published, suggesting that Anthony Reyes may stick as the final reliever at Kelvin Jimenez's expense. We'll get into it more as the ChatMeister fields your questions with Izturis-like aplomb. I'm going to start today's chat a bit early because I may have to run for minutes at a time to tend to my day job as beat reporter. DON'T PANIC!!! The ChatMeister will get to his normal quota of inquiries from Baseball's Best Fans (copyright: St. Louis Cardinals Marketing Dept.). So Let's Get It On!!!

Tim: Is there any indication Bill DeWitt III will do more with KTRS? It seems the Cardinals are losing out on a great marketing oportunity by loading the radio with St. Louis sports talk dominated by the Cardinals. It would be great if you had a show so you could be the Fireside Chatmeister!!!

Joe Strauss: I don't know if KTRS is ready for the ChatMeister. Inquiries were made this spring about a potential deal but conflict-of-interest issues involving the paper proved insurmountable. (Apparently one conflict is that the ChatMeister might prove interesting in addition to being undeniably well-informed, putting it at odds with much of the broadcast gruel local listeners are fed.) The station is partly owned by the team's owners. Of course, the team is partly owned by the newspaper's parent company. The ChatMeister will stop here before he digs himself a deeper trench.

ron: What happened to the hard throwing minor leaguer that the Cards had in camp last spring. I think his name was Dennis Dove.

Joe Strauss: Dennis Dove was shut down and underwent shoulder surgery shortly after the Cardinals optioned him last season. He remains in the system but is not expected to pitch until well into this season, if not 2009.

Matt Taylor: Thanks for reading my email.
Given that this may be one of the more challenging years the cardinals have seen in a while, what is the likelyhood that we could see Pujols shutdown for surgery (if the injury slowly progresses in getting worse), that way we have a healthy Pujols for a more promising year next year without the risk of the elbow blowing up. Then Duncan moved to first, and the Cardinals trading away the more veteran pitchers and hitters to teams who need them for a playoff push. Trading the vets away for prospects and giving our prospects more time in the big leagues to better assess what we have for next year. Basically a small version of a fire sale and a true movement to the youth development.

Thanks,
Matt

Joe Strauss: Or better yet, if I'm reading you correctly, drop a neutron bomb on the organization.
I'll write this slowly so you and those who have consumed too much media cotton candy can understand it.
Pujols... is not going to have surgery... unless his right elbow... becomes a more significant problem... He is having an outstanding camp... There was nothing new... presented by team doctors... this spring.

I don't support shutting down the game's best righthanded hitter for no pressing reason. Should Pujols' right elbow blow up, I'm sure it will be addressed and the fan base can become hysterical about the club's chances without him. Trading "the vets" away to put a Triple-A product on the field for $39 a pop doesn't make sense to JSL!!! (Don't forget to add $5 per ticket for premium games and $20 per ticket for premium seating areas. Enjoy!) I'm not among those who believe gutting the roster to make room for unknowns proves a higher level of baseball sophistication. Sorry.

Brandon Snyder: I know the Cards won't sign any more pitchers this spring, but I was wondering what the status was on Freddy Garcia? I know he is/was hurt, but is he with any team now? Is he rehabbing? If anybody knows, the Chatmeister will!

Joe Strauss: He remains a free agent. He's recovering from shoulder surgery. He is rehabbing. He has no shot of appearing here anytime soon. He will forever be the guy who outdueled Anthony Reyes the night Reyes threw a one-hitter at the Chicago White Sox. That's all I've got... Next.

Dave Cobler: Hi Joe;
You have been seeing the Cards progress on a day to day basis. Now less than one week from the start of the season, what are you seeing that you like about this team that raises your brow with intrigue? With the insightful eye that you pocess, what kind of a feeling are you getting for this 08 squad? Since this is the last chat before the start of the season, what is your prediction for the NL CENTRAL TEAMS?

God Bless you Joe. Your chats are a real blessing to me!
THANK YOU!

Joe Strauss: JSL!!! was way down on what it was watching 2 weeks ago. I picked the Cardinals fifth in a division preview for one national publication and feared the pick could label me as a homer. The Cardinals have looked like a different team since acquiring Lohse (coincidence, I know). The fielding is still rough but no longer incompetent. The rotation will still thirst for innings early in the season and Pujols may be frustrated by teams going around him. But the outfield has performed very well, C. Izturis now remembers to bring his glove to the field, and Mark Mulder's persistent recovery offsets the disappointment of losing Matt Clement for at least the season's first month.
Predition before camp: Chicago, Milwaukee, Houston, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Pittsburgh.
Current Prediction: Chicago, Milwaukee, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Houston, Pittsburgh.
I see a significant separation between second and third place but believe CIN, STL and HOU will finish within five games of each other. The Pirates would struggle in the International League.
It is the ChatMeister who is truly blessed, Dave, especially if Stanford can cover the number this weekend against Texas.

danielc: hey Joe,
I was wondering if you knew what the cardinals thoughts on Chris Duncan are at this point? Will is unproductive spring get overlooked or is there concern?

Thanks

Joe Strauss: Lots of folks share your concern, DC. Duncan looked lost early in camp and compounded his predicament with a back strain. He still looks jumpy at times in the box but he's much farther along than before the back condition flared. Unless something is physically wrong with this guy, I believe it safe to project 25-35 home runs for him based on 450-500 at-bats.

Brandon Snyder: Mr. Chatmeister, will Juan Gonzales ever be healthy again, and will he accept an assignment to Memphis to prove he can get/stay healthy?

Joe Strauss: The Cardinals have asked Juan G. to participate in extended spring training. He told the ChatMeister less than an hour ago that he intends to accept the invitation. I have no idea what Juan has left. He played one game in the field this spring and has not been in a game since. His abdominal situation needs to improve before Memphis becomes a possibility.

Larry Harnly: If Skip Schumaker had not had such a good spring, would Colby Rasmus have made the team? Or had the decision been made before spring training that Rasmus would start the year with Memphis?

As an aside, hope you enjoyed the comfort of the golf cart during your Saturday interview. And have you noticed the crowd Motte draws when he pitches? The gun seemingly was stuck on 95 Saturday. He said he has not hit 100.

Joe Strauss: Was that you wearing the "I Hit the Board at JSL!!!" button last weekend behind Field 3? Or were you the guy in the T-Shirt screaming, "Chat's Where It's At?" Either way, take a chill pill. You act like you've never come in close contact with a celebrity before.
Seriously, Motte has been very impressive this spring and will begin the season in the Memphis bullpen along with Chris Perez and Mark Worrell. He's raw but he's got a better shot than when he struck out 94 times against six walks Palm Beach's catcher in 2004.
A brownout by Schu' would have enhanced Rasmus' chances, but every indication prior to camp was that Rasmus was ticketed to Triple-A. That said, I expect to see him no later than the All-Star break.

Bill Ruby: Joe,

Cliff Politte seems to have made a nice comeback after a horrendous appearance on March 12 (4 hits, 5 ER in 1/2 IP). Cliff has not been scored upon in 6 of his last 7 spring games, including 4 2/3 scoreless IP in his last 5 appearances, with only 4 hits and one walk in those games.

How has Politte looked in person in these past two good weeks? And if Cliff adds a couple more good games before the team breaks camp, does he have a chance at making the roster? What has Dave Duncan said about Politte's over all performance in spring?

Joe Strauss: Politte accepted a reassignment to Triple-A earlier this morning and has left camp for the day. Politte improved as camp progressed but entered at a huge disadvantage. Duncan has noted Politte's improvement. However, as a non-roster invitee Politte must be demonstrably better than another righthanded candidate to stick. He is 19 months removed from shoulder surgery while with the Chicago White Sox. His performance within what looks to be a stacked Memphis bullpen will be noted.

Ted Glover: Joe,

Once the rotation is healthy (not including Carpenter due to recovery time) the Cardinals could actually have a surplus of decent young starting pitchers. Will they move one or more pitchers for a position of need (SS, maybe 2B) or hold on to them in case Pinero, Clement, or Mulder pull up lame again? Also, fact or fiction: Mulder will have between 15-20 starts and Carp will have between 5-10 starts based on their recovery schedule.

Thanks,
Ted Glover
O'Fallon, IL

Joe Strauss: The Cardinals have committed $6 million to their starting middle infield this season. Barring another catastrophic season by Kennedy, I don't see the club eating that kind of money, which argues against a trade for an established veteran. (Did someone say Brian Roberts?) Reyes is the obvious trade chip. As for fact or fiction: I'm drinking the Kool-Aid. FACT.

Jim hency: Just a comment to let everyone trash me for it. I guess I am an eternal optimist but I can remeber when I was a kid beginning to follow the Cardinals starting in the laste 40's and into the 50's when every year I was always saying "wait til nest yr", because they would always make a Sept. run and just miss out. I know a lot of thing have to happen for us this year but I hear all this negative stuff and I can't help believe that we can't put between 12 -15 more wins on the board than we die last year with all the things that happened to the Card's. I just believe we will do a lot better than people are saying and another 14 wins makes it a 92 win season and I bet most of us will take that. Now go ahead and ask me what kind of acid I am smelling but I am looking forward to this season.

Joe Strauss: Thanks for the trip down memory lane Jim. But, hey, next time use a BMW rather than a buggy to take us on the tour. I'm reading your projections about 12-15 more wins and thinking... Try New Math!!! I don't see this as the complete meltdown projected in many publications; however, I do believe TLR should receive Manager of the Year votes if his club is within five games of the lead after Aug. 1. The division is better, which complicates any equation.
As to your acid habit, Jim... If you were a child of the late 40's does that mean you were at Woodstock? Like, wow, man.

Rich (Sun Valley, ID): Hi Joe, from the melting snows of mountainous Idaho and headquarters of the unofficial Sun Valley Cardinals Fan Club.

I love all the "they have no chance whatsoever" blarney being dished out by the sport talking heads. While I will be the first to admit the start of the season is a question mark for starters, Wellemeyer and Thompson have shown me enough to believe we can hang in there until the Fellowship of the Ring returns. I have been really impressed with our offense, the kids seem to really be stepping up and we FINALLY have a solid farm team at AAA. BUT: it seems to me the largest NEW player under the radar is our back-up catcher, LaRue. This guy, like Molina, has a gun-last year it was a virtual certainly that anytime Yadier wasn't playing, you could count on stolen bases. Doesn't look that way this year, and it seems to me that could count for 2-4 victories. Your read, oh wise one?

Joe Strauss: You may be on to something, Rich. La Rue has had knee issues which may have contributed to his decline as a hitter. But his arm is outstanding. TLR has raved about him numerous times this spring. If it translates into better spacing for Molina, who has been ridden hard when not injured, the move looks even better.

Judy Bardwell: Just getting back from Jupiter where the weather was a lot nicer than it is here.
Could you the starting outfield be: Barton (LF), Ankiel (CF) and Schumacker (RD)? We seen that combination more than once this spring. I know that Duncan will always be a Cardinal as long as TLR and Dad are there, but I really think his defense should put him in Memphis. My opinion..our outfield should be Ankiel, Schumacker, Barton, Ludwick and at some point Rasmus, but not Duncan. your opinion please.

Joe Strauss: You don't dismiss a power bat such as Duncan, especially vs. RHP. The nepotism charge grew tired long ago. Is Dunc' really "average at worst" in the outfield. No. But is he a potential Adam Dunn? Absolutely. A healthy Duncan, Ankiel and Glaus plus a productive-as-usual Pujols could put up 140 home runs. Schumaker deserves an opportunity as leadoff hitter. Barton deserved to make the team out of camp, but many believe he could be exposed during the season. Because of his reverse splits against LHP, Ryan Ludwick may be at more risk than Duncan.

Will L: Hey JSL!!!

Is there any chance that if and when Chris Duncan struggles that Barton will step up and take the everyday LF spot? I know Duncan has a power bat, but with Barton's speed and extra base potential, wouldn't it be better to stick him in the 2nd spot?

Joe Strauss: It's never healthy to hyperventilate during spring training. It usually leaves you tired and disappointed by June.

J.T.: Hey Chatmeister!
Any updates on Ballpark Village? We could skip the home run derby and have the 2009 Lake DeWitt All-Star Bass Classic!

Joe Strauss: The P-D is reporting that Centene has nixed plans to serve as corporate centerpiece for the Village. Hillary believes it takes a Village to raise a child. The ChatMeister is beginning to believe it takes a Miracle to raise the Village.

David in San Francisco: Chatmeister, O Trusted Advisor to John Mozeliak et. al.,

Doesn't it make most sense to boost the trade value for Anthony Reyes by keeping him in the rotation, after he offered the best performance all spring by any starting pitcher, vs. the Nationals, instead of making starters of both Wellemeyer (too many walks, not enough innings into games) and Thompson (going back to the pen anyway when Pineiro and Mulder return)? Those latter two have no future as Cardinal starters, once the full Cardinal rotation is healthy (Carpenter, Mulder, Wainwright, Clement, Pineiro, all under team control through next year) and the trade value for Wellemeyer and Thompson is already as high as it's going to be (more than a couple of teams could use some righthanded relief pitching right now) and, besides, Wellemeyer and Thompson will be expendable when Kinney returns and Perez or Mott is brought up from AAA. Why not boost the trade value for Reyes (and keep him for pitching depth in case Pineiro or Clement fail to return when expected) by keeping Anthony in the rotation the next few weeks before trading him (and give the team just as good a chance of winning during those few weeks from the #5 slot as they would have with Wellemeyer or Thompson)?

Mo's shown he's very smart about strengthening the team for this year at the same time he's building depth and youth for the future. I don't get why he would trade Reyes when his stock is still so low in the wake of his public trashing since last fall by LaRussa and Duncan.

Joe Strauss: Castro is out of power but apparently relocated to San Francisco where he is writing manifestos to JSL!!!
That said, you must have a pipeline to the Cards' front office. John Mozeliak is pushing Reyes for the bullpen, at least, where he would retain more value than if sent to Memphis for a fourth year. Keeping Reyes in the pen represents something of a compromise, as some see Reyes' spring as more impressive than Todd Wellemeyer's. Wellemeyer has more walks than strikeouts, but he also has shown a willingness to pitch inside against RH hitters, something Reyes struggles with.
Next time, Dave, remember what an editor once told the ChatMeister: "You're not writing shorter. You're writing SMARTER."
(I won't tell you the ChatMeister's response.)

randall prater: Hey Chatmeister Supremeo,

The regular season is upon us and it seems to me the cards are banking on good offensive production from a bunch of unproven, albiet talented young outfielders. What's your take on this; is the club realistically evaluating them or is TLR, Mo, Dewitt & co deluding themselves?

Joe Strauss: The outfielders better deliver or the club will suffer a fifth consecutive season of diminished run production. If Ankiel is more consistent and Duncan is healthy, the optimism may be well founded.

BG: So Mr Master Meister what ya got brewin today?

Behind closed doors have you heard any whispers about Looper's struggles this spring? I've not seen him on TV.... what's he doing? Obviously he's been up...is that mechanics or is it something no one's saying.... a physical problem?

And by the way...great pick on WKU..... do they cover against UCLA?

Joe Strauss: Looper struggled for command in his first several outings but has improved since given an extra two days between starts. Looper must pitch well to maintain his hold on the rotation. Pineiro's return means a return of Wellemeyer or Thompson to the bullpen. Mulder's return squeezes the other. If and when Carpenter or Clement return, Looper is likely the pitcher to be most heavily scrutinized. At some point, a trade is likely involving a pitcher. Looper's $5.5 million take this season makes him a heavy piece to move.
Thanks for the kudos on WKU. Sadly, they are headed to the woodshed against the Bruins.

DJB: I heard how down on Reyes you the Cardinals when you were in the radio the other day. Now he is going to stay in STL. What's the deal...do you just make stuff up??

Joe Strauss: Do you listen? Do you read?
It was the pitching coach who insisted Reyes still "has things to work on" after Reyes threw six shutout innings Tuesday.
The front office interceded this morning to keep Reyes on the 25-man in a role Dave Duncan virtually ruled out for him on Tuesday.
I can only lay out the facts, DJB.
At some point it's up to you to exhibit the capacity to reach a conclusion. Another example of our failed education system at work.

scott: Was Amaury Marti already sent down? sorry I usually keep up to date with the guys sent down but must have missed when he was. Do you think he could get called up later in the season?

thank you.

Joe Strauss: Marti was dispatched to Memphis two weeks ago. He may receive a late-season promotion should he project his career minor-league numbers (.305, 31 HR, 120 RBI in 686 AB) to Triple-A. He's exhibited power to all fields this spring. The Cuban defector's age (reported as 29) is a negative. His bat works for him.

Nick: Hey Joe,

Whats your take on the MVP award?

I am a firm believer that it is misunderstood by many of the voters. Stats seem to be the only thing that influences them. The fact that it is the most "valuable" player should make Pujols the front runner every year. He has won it once in his career.

It seems that with Barry Bonds gone, Pujols should be the most valuable. We, as St. Louisans, can attest that without Pujols, the Cardinals would not even be able to think about the playoffs.

Also, do you think it would benefit MLB to add another award tos solve this problem. Perhaps an award for the best player overall, and call it the Willie Mays Award?

Whats your take?
Sorry for the long post

Joe Strauss: Since I am a voter, I disagree with your premise. I have voted twice for Albert to win the award. He won it once. There are numerous teams who can point to a player and say they would have missed the playoffs without him. To reflexively vote for El Hombre would be just as wrong as it was to vote reflexively for Bonds. The writers usually get it right. (I didn't vote for Rollins last year, but understand those who did. Holliday was my choice. I believe I had Albert fifth. He finished ninth.) I don't think MLB needs more awards.

Wes: Joe, are the Cardinals content with their middle infield how it is right now? It doesn't seem to great to me.

The Mets just waived Ruben Gotay, who is a solid hitter and middle infielder.

Any chance the Cardinals would sign someone like him as insurance or something? Just wondering if the Cards will make any more moves... I doubt it, but it's worth asking.

Joe Strauss: If Brendan Ryan is not healthy, D'Angelo Jimenez represents their second reserve middle infielder and backup third baseman.
Measure Gotay against Jimenez for your answer. Gotay is primarily a second baseman with little power or success as a base-stealer. He is younger (25) than Jimenez and probably a better defender at his primary position.

Dan M: Joe,

With the spring that Reyes has had, does he still need a change of scenery, or will the Cards hang on to him for awhile longer? Per RotoWire.com: "Thompson has a 2.38 ERA in 11 innings this spring, and the coaches had some nice words about him after the game Wednesday, but he’ll probably be a reliever most of the season. Efficiency issues aside, Anthony Reyes has also pitched well this spring, and the Cardinals would prefer that he start the year in the rotation."

Thank you, oh wise one.

Joe Strauss: I've said here before that I believe it best for Reyes to go elsewhere. He has the capacity to pitch in the major leagues but his perceptions of himself as pitcher do not square with the organization's take. There were those in the organization who advocated he be dealt after the '06 World Series, when his value was higher.

Brad: I'm hearing rumors of a trade involving Skip Schumaker. I hope it's false, but if he were traded, what would the Cardinals get in return? Also, what is Anthony Reyes staus? Will he be dealt? How about a package deal with those two? Or, is it all just conjecture anyway?
Gosh, so many questions! Thanks for the info, always enjoy JSL!
Brad

Joe Strauss: Schumaker is out of options. So if he wasn't going to make the big club, it would be natural for the Cardinals to seek a trade for him. However, Schumaker has been very impressive this spring in the leadoff role. He is above-average defensively and his versatility gives him value as a starter against certain pitchers and as a late-inning defender. Think of him as a LH-hitting Taguchi. Not a bad commodity for less than $500,000.

Jeff Krause: Hey Joe, Are the Cardinals really thinking about keeping Wellemeyer and Thompson over Reyes? I watched pretty close this entire spring and Reyes has had a solid spring. It looks as though he started to turn the corner. Wellemeyer is lucky to get through 5. It just seems that no matter what Reyes does Duncan is not impressed. Give the kid a chance its not like the up side of Thompson and Wellemeyer is any where near that of Reyes. Just look at the numbers and tell me he does deserve a shot, especially after what he went thr4ough last year. He took the ball every time they asked him too and never cried I.E. Wells! plus we both know there was more than a couple of games he pitched well enough to have won. No offense! Please say ain't so Joe.

Joe Strauss: Your comments reflect those of many fans who have reached out to the ChatMeister this week. They are duly noted.
I believe Anthony's shortcomings are more conspicuous to this staff than his plusses. If another organization sees it differently -- and I know of several that do -- a trade would seem mutually beneficial. That said, Reyes was 2-14 last season and labored to get through six innings. Facts is facts. He is a young pitcher and is likely to develop further. I believe that development will take place elsewhere (Baltimore? Kansas City?).

Troy in Florissant: I am intrigued with the progress of Kyle Mcclellan. How do the Cardinals project him in the future? Is this a back end of the rotation guy or something more?

Joe Strauss: A neighbor or family member?
Many believe McClellan's best shot in the major leagues is as a reliever, even though the club intended to send him to Memphis to start before he forced his way onto the club. At some point, such a role affords a pitcher a chance to spot start. This guy has come a long way since requiring 2006 surgery to transpose a nerve near his elbow. Of his last 40 professional outings, one is a start. He struggled at Class A in his last full season (2004) in the role.

BradV: The "Great Mr. Chatmeister", who do you see making the biggest impact coming off the DL this season..... Carpenter, Mulder or Clement? Personally, I don't see Clement even pitching this season, so it's probably between Carpenter and Mulder.

Joe Strauss: Mulder will have the most opportunity. If the Cardinals are still in contention after the break, Carpenter could have the most impact.

Dave: Wow .... the boxscore says Albert stole 3rd base. How'd that happen Joe?

Joe Strauss: El Hombre stole on the front end of a double steal and continued home on the play because of a passed ball.

Randy: Hey Joe,
I just read your short story about Reyes making the team. Doesn't this clash with McClellan being told by Dave Duncan yesterday he had made the club and would be travelling with the team to Springfield and then to opening day? (I got this from Kyle McClellan's mother)

What gives Joe? Who didn't make the team in relief?

Joe Strauss: McClellan is in. Kelvin Jimenez appears out at the moment. Tell, Mrs. McClellan she should still make the drive to Springfield.

Doc: O Wise Chatmeister,

Thank you for JSL!!! It helps us while away the hours here at UCLA FIlm School while we track Red Bird Cinema projects.

After Duncan's prediction that Mulder will be back before Clement, I have to ask is there any serious concern about Clement realistically contributing to this ballclub? It seems like his struggles + the potential influx of starting pitchers by June might make his climb back to the mound a steep one if he doesn't dazzle soon.

Joe Strauss: Your concerns are legitimate and shared by the staff and front office. Clement's velocity remains in the mid-80s, too low for him to be effective at this level in the club's opinion. The Cardinals have guaranteed him $1.5 million, a costly but not obscene experiment.

Tim Beever: I wanted to ask this question earlier but did not have time to do the research. This was Tony talking about Aaron Harang after he hit Gary Bennet in the head. “There isn’t anything in baseball that I object to more,” La Russa said following Tuesday’s game. “Whether we hit them or they hit them, I’ve said it for almost as long as I’ve been managing: I’d suspend a guy two weeks to start with. A month the next time and then a season, if a Major League pitcher doesn’t have better command than that.”

I did not see Francouer actually get hit but he was hit in the face. Was this ever discussed with Tony and was he asked about any reprocussions with Wellemeyer? Even though these are big league pitchers I do feel a pitch can get away but he was adamant about this situation. You can't have it both ways.

Joe Strauss: OK, Beev...
Your point was noted in the press box that day. However, Wellemeyer hit Francouer with a change-up that the hitter admitted he failed to see. There was no finger pointing from the Braves clubhouse and no serious injury to Francouer. But your point is raised every time a Cardinals pitcher hits an opposing hitter from the shoulders up. My guess is you will never see a team-imposed suspension for such a drilling.

Dan S: Regarding the roster decisions that are being made as we speak, I'm quite pleased with the apparent decisions regarding McClellan and Reyes. Do you think TLR, Dunc, and Mo made the right call, and will these two stick around if their regular season performances fall in line with their spring performances?

Joe Strauss: The calls represent a compromise. Mozeliak wants to have influence on the roster and Reyes is an example. TLR and Dave Duncan have voiced concerns about Reyes' ability to transition from starting to relief. We'll see. Reyes needs to perform to stick, as does McClellan. The issue will be forced when Pineiro comes off the DL in mid-April.

George: O Most Honorable One! What's the deal with Pujols's elbow?...nevermind. Seriously, rumour has it that Izturis has been playing better in the field. Which Izturis are we getting? The 6 error SS or the one playing the past week or so?

Thanks.

Joe Strauss: Something in between. The Cardinals will take it if he improves on his 3-to-1 RBI (30) to errors (11) ratio the last two seasons. Izturis has resembled a more confident player the last 10 days.

mark in SF: Hey Joe, I grew up in St.Louis but live in San Francisco. Needless to say, I do not and cannot root for the Giants, and have been limited for the last 10 years to reading about the Cardinals on the internet. This year I hope finally to be able to see a Cardinal game in SF. Anyway, what do you think about trying to turn Bryan Anderson into a third baseman, since Troy Glaus will likely be gone in 2 years and Molina, rightly, will be our catcher for many more years?
Thanks,
Mark

Joe Strauss: Anderson does not project as a power hitter, which hurts his chances as a corner infielder. You question is a good one. Molina is entrenched and Anderson projects for may clubs, including the Cardinals, as a catcher. Of all the Cardinal prospects, he seems best positioned for trade. He will start the season at Double-A Springfield, not a bad place in his fourth professional season out of high school. He would have value in a package deal for a player with major league experience. I do not know of any Reyes-Anderson package in the works.

curtis: How'd we get to this point? The Cards are one shy of having the ALL-Injury starting rotation. What a list:
Carpenter, Mulder, Clement, Pineiro...+ who's next of Lohse, Wainwright, Looper, etc.? GEEEZE!!!

Mulder back before Clement? How'd that happen? Is that the most regrettable signing this offseason? WHAT were they thinking!!! I know, mostly rhetorical questions, but what is your take? Afterall, four pitchers to be reinserted with rehab status is going to lead to alot of lost games. Meanwhile stopgaps are going to get over-used.

/Curtis from S. Dakota.

Joe Strauss: It would have been worse had Mo' traded Rolen for Chris Capuano. Imagine the angst. Oh, the humanity.

don: Is Reyes going to be traded? What is that he is not doing that Duncan says he needs to start doing?????

Joe Strauss: Perhaps not today, but eventually. Duncan would like to see Reyes become more effective against RH hitting, meaning he needs to work more on the inside third of the plate. Reyes' absence of an "out" pitch contributes to their frustration. It is one reason why Reyes' best starts typically last 5-6 innings rather than 7 or 8.

Norm Pressman: I think people are expecting too much from Ankiel. My guess is that he will bad 245-with 70 RBI and 16 HR's and play a pretty good center field. I know alot of peopple will be disappointed with those nubmers but they would be pretty good for a first year player.

And my annual question-how many manjor league outfielders are worse than J-Rod and where is he going to play this year?

Joe Strauss: You are including John Rodriguez and Rick Ankiel in the same question as if there is a valid comparison. Consider yourself on JSL!!! probation, Norm. (JRod is in the Tampa Bay Rays' camp.)

wlc: Dear Chatmeister,
Did anyone at all note that Ryan Howard had 199 strikouts last year. I really cheered for him to get 200 although at 199 he set a new record. I can think of all the times he failed to advance the runner anywhere. Obviously in 2006 MVP voting that another terrible strikeout stat was completely ignored and he got the award over Pujols. Does anyone notice that year in and year out Pujols has about the same number of strikeouts as homeruns. And, I guess Gold Gloves count nothing when MVP voting comes up. Your comments.......

Joe Strauss: I assume you are not a Lafayette High alum. Stolen bases and strikeouts seem to have vanished as significant statistics in the world of Cybermetrics. An out is considered an out. A stolen base is often considered an unnecessary risk. A rising religion worships at the altar of The Walk. Howard is a dynamic power hitter. He is a poor first baseman who strikes out a ton. But he fits within the Phillies lineup and in a bandbox ballpark. You have my thoughts.

Tackleberry: JSL,

Can you shed some light on the interleague schedule of the Cards. Why are they traveling to Detroit for the third season in a row? They have been a top team in baseball these past few seasons and that road trip never ends well for the Birds. In past seasons maybe it was a good measuring stick, but this year it could be 3 games that keep us out of the playoffs.

Joe Strauss: It will be an exciting summer if those three games are all that keep the Cardinals out of the playoffs. The Detroit fetish is interesting. The Cards' only trip to the AL East is Boston. They play KC home and home. They also miss the Orioles, Yankees and Blue Jays. To answer your question, an MLB official conceded, "IT was a mistake."

Joe Strauss: That's going to do it for the final JSL!!! Jupiter edition. Next week we'll be one game into the season, no doubt creating 15 screens of questions about whatthehell TLR was thinking in the 6th inning of the season opener. The ChatMeister looks forward to it. If you have any problem with the content of this chat, the questions selected or the answers given, contact Roger Hensley at the Post-Dispatch. Otherwise, remember it's spring training for writers, too. We save the good adjectives for the regular season. It's going to be an interesting ride this season. The fan base will learn a lot about younger players in the system as well as a revamped front office. "Transition" remains the buzz word.

Adios, muchachos.