Joe Strauss: OK, OK, everybody way up!!! for a pre-trade deadline session of Joe Strauss Live!!! The surf is super high today as the ChatHeads are no doubt breathlessly anticipating Chris Carpenter's start tonight and John Mozeliak's maneauverings before tomorrow's 2 p.m. CST deadline. Since I'm staring at reams of questions, let's keep the witty monologue to a minimum, grab a board and climb the tsunami. Let's Get It On!!!

steve: Joe---first time riding the wave! On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the most certain, how would you rate the likelihood of Ankiel and Ludwick matching or even exceeding this year's performance in 2009? And, has Tyler Greene inserted himself in the middle infield mix for next year (wouldn't an impact bat at 2nd if he can't handle short be great?

Thanks

Joe Strauss: It's fair to say both guys are enjoying career years since, well, this is their first full year in the major leagues. I believe Ankiel has only scratched the surface of his potential as a hitter. If Ludwick could only duplicate what he has given the club this season he would project as a starter for 4-5 more years. To answer your question, I think the duo has a "6-7" chance of matching or exceeding this year's performance in '09. If you are familiar with their stories, you know health is a huge variable. As for Greene, he was considered Springfield's best player before being promoted to Memphis earlier this week. Greene has had health issues. Others believe he has merely underachieved. However, he now appears on a faster track and could still justify the club picking him 30th overall in 2005.

Larry Harnly: Were the Cardinals players for Damaso Marte and/or Xavier Nady before they were moved by Pittsburgh? Who would the Cardinals had to have given up?

Joe Strauss: The Cardinals had significant interest in Marte but apparently were blown away when the Yankees expanded a deal to include Xavier Nady. The Yankees gave up four prospects, including one of their top five. The Cardinals are not positioned to make such a sweeping move unless it is for a Holliday or Tulowitzki type player. That said, the Pirates may not be done making moves. The asking price for Jason Bay apparently has dropped within the last 48 hours. LH reliever John Grabow is also available. Colby Rasmus is not on the table for Bay.

Janice from Memphis: O wise and sagacious scribe, look into your crystal ball (or ask John Mozeliak, whichever is easiest) and tell me: will the Cardinals release Izzy before (or even after) the trade deadline so he can pursue his 300th save in a less frenzied (and friendlier) atmosphere?

Joe Strauss: Izzy is the closer (for now). After publicly backing Ryan Franklin in New York, TLR changed course in Atlanta and notified Franklin he was going back to the 8th inning while Dave Duncan informed Isringhausen in a separate conversation that he would close again. The club is looking to see how focused Izzy will be with his second chance. If the plug's pulled again, I expect the job will go to Adam Wainwright, not Franklin, unless a trade shakes up the equation.

George M.: In my opinion, the Cardinals don't have enough to seriously contend, so standing pat is a losing strategy. If they don't add significant talent to the major league roster to make a playoff push, I think they should be sellers at this point. I am assuming that they have given Lohse their best offer and gotten nowhere, so he is gone after this year. It also appears that they intend to let Looper go in free agency. Those two (Lohse especially) could bring good minor league prospects. If the only choices are stand pat or trade players who don't figure in future plans for prospects, I would trade. Your thoughts?

Joe Strauss: I don't expect the club to wave a white flag as long as TLR is its manager. This year's team is competing far better than last year's, and we saw no give in '07. I think the club accurately believes its fan base would have little tolerance for a sell-off with the club within a game or two of the wild card. I also question whether the manager would stand for it. Mo' has insisted Lohse is going nowhere. If Lohse is here, they're in it to win it. We can debate whether the Cards have the horses. But I don't see them making a U-turn from contention, a la Oakland A's. Like or dislike this manager, La Russa is a positive variable for a team in contention. We witnessed a managerial meltdown in Milwaukee last September and there will be significant pressure on Ned Yost this time as well. I have no problem with this team staying the course, but a move for the bullpen and the bench would be nice.