Joe Strauss: Per usual, news events provide a perfect lead-in for the Big Swell. We're still awaiting definitive word on Mark De Rosa, who left last night's game after hurting his left wrist on a swing. De Rosa was not optimistic, so it's hard to say this is only a boo-boo that requires some balm and a day or two off. We'll see. The Cardinals may be in the midst of the most critical part of their season -- four games against the wild card leading Gigantes before heading out on a 10-game road trip within the division to reach the All-Star break. The ChatMeister was on board with the De Rosa trade. It seemed the perfect opening gambit for a team that had another move to make. Tuesday's development, however, is sobering. The Cardinals are coming off a 12-17 June in which Albert Pujols enjoyed the most productive month of his soon-to-be Hall of Fame career. JSL!!! will take its act on the road Thursday to see what Kyle Lohse has to say in Springfield. In the meantime, it's to The Tsunami. Look out for the undertow!!!

GSW: ChatMeister,

In these uncertain times, it's comforting to know we can rely on your steady and insightful journalistic excellence, Joe. Only with you can we get the inside story delivered straight to our desktops!

OK, enough sucking up - on to the questions. Assuming the DeRosa deal is simply the first shoe to drop, what's the most likely size and shape for the next? Starter makes the most sense to me - if so, what's likely to be available before the (non-waiver) trade deadline, and what trade chips (OF?) would we be looking to move?

Thanks, Joe - as always, you da man!

Joe Strauss: Correction, GSW. There is never enough sucking up on this board. Your plaudits are welcome and, of course, most appropriate.
ChatMeister Emeritus Mo' said last week that the club would examine its needs the next 2-3 weeks before committing to another deal. It made sense given De Rosa's versatility, uncertainty surrounding Troy Glaus and Khalil Greene, and the growing questions regarding the pitching staff (starter or set-up guy?). As the trade deadline approaches, sending a veteran outfielder elsewhere becomes more of an option. Rick Ankiel or Chris Duncan could have an impact within a stretch drive for a contender. Of course, teams out of it may covet some minor-league pitching, though it's uncertain how aggressively the Cardinals may deal now that Perez is gone and several young arms are under consideration by the Indians as Player to Be Named. Losing De Rosa for an extended time would be a killer. There's little other way to look at it. I question whether the Cardinals have sufficient bullets left to make a truly "impact" deal. Glaus suddenly becomes a much more significant variable.

Tackleberry: JSL,
As we approach the 4th of July there has been a major lack of fireworks at Busch this year. Assuming that Ludwick & Ankiel aren't going anywhere via trade, what can LaRussa do to get these guys going? Playing them everyday and hitting them in the middle of the line-up isn't working. Now that DeRosa is here and Rasmus has show the chops to rake on occasion, why not slot those two at 4 & 5 and move Ankiel and Ludwick down maybe even below Molina at 7 & 8? Take the pressure off and see if they can get it right. Convetional wisdom may say that Ludwick is due, but the daily box score doesn't suggest that it is happening any time soon.

Joe Strauss: A lot of what you suggest is up in the air due to De Rosa's uncertain situation. You may prove prescient on Ludwick. He has had three solid games in a row and Tuesday night contributed multiple long hits in a game for the first time since mid-April. Even if he seeks the mean (say, a .265 average and 22 jacks) there will be some payback in the second half. Ludwick appears to be staying back on pitches better lately. That gives him a chance over the weak right-side stuff he was producing previously. To your original point, a lot will hinge on De Rosa's prognosis.

NY Card Fan: Joe,

The Cards have been forced to take a few of their "Faberge Egg" pitchers out of the egg carton this season in the form of Boggs, Walters, Todd, Hawksworth, and Mortensen. With the possible exception of Boggs, none of these guys blow me away (nor, unfortunately, do they blow away too many major league hitters). Is it possible that Luhnow & Co have been overvaluing some of these eggs...or do they just need more time to develop? I hope I'm wrong, but it looks to me like the Cards'organization is doing a great job of developing a host of potential #5 starters.

Joe Strauss: The criticism of the system is that it is heavy on RH relievers, No. 5 starters and hard-to-project "bat guys" with limited athleticism. We've asked repeatedly here whether the Cardinals may have overvalued their "Faberge Eggs." Well, they apparently dealt two of the eggs to the Indians. The arrival of Jess Todd (for one game), PJ Walters and Clayton Mortensen have moved some to question whether the Faberge Eggs are Rotten Eggs. That's a bit unfair, to be sure. But there are concerns about whether these guys are able to flesh out the core of a big league pitching staff now reliant on Chris Carpenter, Adam Wainwright and Ryan Franklin. Put-up time is fast approaching for the cited trio along with Mitchell Boggs.

uglyjohn: O ChatMeister,

What's the prevailing internal explanation for Ludwick's plummeting production? Before his injury he was raking. Ever since then, it's been wet-noodle time.

Do the baseball people think he's still suffering the effects of the hammy pull and/or the time off? Or he's just slumping? Or he's truly and finally regressing? Or Jobu has abandoned him? Or a combination of these? Or none of them?

Your correspondent perceives Ludwick (or someone in that spot - though not Holliday, please) as the most important element in reviving the Redbirds' offense.

Joe Strauss: Ludwick went on the DL with a hamstring strain. Since returning, he's had a difficult time overcoming a premature shift that has made it difficult for him to pull. The last week suggests he may be getting a handle on it. Your point is well taken. With all the fixation on Duncan and Ankiel, Ludwick is perhaps the biggest variable in getting this offense rolling. The guy was a Silver Slugger last season. You don't subtract that, along with Glaus, and have anything resembling a dangerous lineup. It appears that any deal for Holliday is a long shot, at best. The ChatMeister seriously questions whether the Cardinals retain enough bullets to pull off such a move after the De Rosa deal.