Joe Strauss: OK, the ChatMeister has sprinted (or at least walked briskly) from the 8th Ave. parking deck to the inconveniently located media entrance, scaled the elevator to the third floor and several flights of stairs to the media work room at Busch. It's time to Chat as the Cardinals prepare for a 2 p.m. press conference to announce all sort of All-Star related goodies. The Guv'nah, Mayor, and County Exec. are here but El Hombre, the Wizard and MLB poo-bah Bob DuPuy are the headliners. More on developments later in Cardnials Beat and in Thursday's P-D. Interesting series in Chicago last weekend and another one approaching at Busch starting Friday. Let's open Pandora's Box and see what the Tsunami has washed ashore this weekend.

mikechamp: Have the Cardinals made any calls to Pedro Martinez's agent since Carpenter went down?

Joe Strauss: Not to my knowledge. John Mozeliak insisted last week the club would first explore internal options before seeking a trade or free agent sign. That was before Carpenter admitted Monday he may remain in shutdown mode for the next 30 days to allow his torn left oblique time to heal. If Carp's activities are limited for the next month, it would be reasonable for him not to return until mid-June. Mitchell Boggs takes his turn Saturday against the Cubs. P.J. Walters was given mixed reviews in last Friday's outing and is now working long relief. At some point the Cardinals will return to 12 pitchers. Boggs is what is described as a "free player." He costs the club the minimum salary. Pedro, for example, has insisted he won't sign for less than $5 million. The Cardinals likely don't see a $4.6 million difference in what Martinez gives them over Boggs, Brad Thompson, Walters, etc. If they look elsewhere, it'll likely be as a dumpster dive.

mikechamp: The Sunday night rainout might have done a lot more good than just providing rest to a tired bullpen. Because the game is rescheduled for mid-July, is it very possible we'll have both Carpenter and Glaus back by then?

Joe Strauss: Right now it's impossible to attach a responsible time frame for either. It's possible Glaus may require further surgery, which would end his season. Carpenter's injury is not arm-related but is prone to setbacks if an aggressive rehab begins too early. If one of them is back before the break, that is good. If both are back, you have permission to party.

Elvis: ChatMeister,

We are always hearing about back loaded contracts. In some instances wouldn't it make sense to front load a contract? In doing so, you would be paying a player more while he is younger and perhaps in his prime, and less as he ages. Also, some guys are hard to deal at the end of a contract because of the increased salary and decreased production. This seems to make sense as all contracts are guaranteed and the player would still make the same money. What am I missing here?

Joe Strauss: Contracts are backloaded to allow a team financial flexibility NOW. It gives a team time to cycle younger players onto the roster as heavier deals expire. (See: Rick Ankiel for Jim Edmonds.) For example, Kyle Lohse's deal provides him less than Pineiro this season. Pineiro's salary comes off the books for next year as Lohse's deal escalates. The Cardinals will almost certainly fill Pineiro's spot in the rotation with a salary below $7.5 million. Adam Kennedy's contract was backloaded but I doubt any would have acquired him for, say, $3 million last winter. A bad contract is a bad contract.

ldomino: Hi Chatmeister...Haven't been on to ask a question in a while, but I've been here reading every time the tsunami rolls. I've been asking this question for a while and can never get an answer, but I have faith that the Chatmeister can break it down. How does a guy like Chris Perez get to the majors without having refined a second pitch? I understand Jason Motte a little better since he's a recently converted catcher, but I don't get why no one in the minors made sure Perez developed a good offspeed pitch. Can you shed any light? What is your opinion of the Cards' system for developing pitchers in general?
Thanks a million!

Joe Strauss: You've touched on a source of internal debate. The Cardinals' front office is committed to expanding opportunities for younger players at the major-league level. Tony La Russa and Dave Duncan have said repeatedly the major leagues are not a place to develop players. Hence, The Rub. I think a number of problems would be eliminated by codifying an approach to pitching. Obviously, different pitchers possess different talents. But it is alarming to many that Perez would be projected as an Opening Day closer with only a rudimentary second pitch. Much the same was said about Motte. To Motte's credit, he has dramatically altered his approach since his Opening Day meltdown. He is also adjusting in innings other than the ninth. Last year's Organization Pitcher of the Year Jess Todd, for example, has a delivery quirk that makes him a poor fit to start. You can do one of two things: Concede the flaw and move him to relief (which is what the club has done) or attempt to modify his delivery to enhance his chance to start. For an organization that regularly receives bouquets from "third-party publications," it is alarming the lack of projectable Nos. 1, 2, 3 and even 4 starting pitchers populate the organization. It means nothing to read about someone with an "unhittable" minor-league pitch that works best out of the strike zone.