Joe Strauss: OK, let's get going. Time for another thrilling ride atop the JSL!!! tsunami and I'm sure many of you are exorcised about last week's inactivity at the trade deadline or the abundance of activity in Tuesday night's ninth inning. I'm running a little late and I'm going to have to leave relatively early today, so let's get to what's most important: the concerns, angst and unflinching loyalty of the ChatHeads. Game on!!!

Rich: Joe: To a question posed to Mozeliak on Monday a reporter asked him if the Cardinals were going to make a waiver trade before the deadline.
Mo’s answer was insulting to every Cardinal nation fan and baseball fan in general.
He said “ if we see a need arise, or if a need arises”.
Buddy you’ve got a bullpen that’s blown 26 games this year and you don’t see a need????!!!!!!!!!!!
With half of those games back as wins we’d be in 1st right now!
I am NOT attending anymore Cards games this year because it’s apparent that this organization does not care abut wining, just filling up the stadium.

Joe Strauss: Many share your pain. But pragmatically, what is Mo' supposed to say. I believe you will see some sort of recognition of the situation in the next several days. Whether that involves a trade, I can't say right now. However, last night's near-calamity drew public comments from the manager and the general manager. Should it take 27 saves to bring about action? Fair question. Many feel as you do. But trades don't take place in isolation. As for staying away from Busch, that's your choice. Apparently, over 40,000 per night are disagreeing.

tc22: OmniChatmeister,

When are the Cardinals going to admit failure in the "Mulder Experiment"?

Joe Strauss: I believe they have...

roger from lake tahoe: hiya joe! don't know if you remember jackie gleason but he had a character in a bar who always said hiya joe. i saw on mlb trade rumors, that moe balked at trading anderson and a pitching prospect for fuentes. they didn't mention who the pitching prospect was, but opined that anderson was the hold up. i'm thinking anderson might have been worth fuentes. do you know who the pitching prospect was and what is your opinion? thanks joe

Joe Strauss: There were a mix of players discussed, including Kyle McClellan, Jaime Garcia and Mitchell Boggs. The Cardinals were seeking multiple players. Fair to say there would have been healthy debate internally even if the Rockies were pushing for one. Demanding Bryan Anderson be included was merely the topper.

Jason Winders: Honored to have an audience with El Diablo.

As this season slides slowly away into the sunset, I offer a quick fix solution upon which I would like your opinion:

Sign actual starting pitchers.

I know. I know. I’m quite the baseball visionary.

Sure, the Cards suffered some talent drain on the offensive side of the ball in the last few years (mainly in the middle infield). You cannot completely discount that. But the real slide did not start until management opted to go cheap on starters and convert relievers. It’s been a lose-lose ever since – weakening the rotation while depleting the bullpen of some seriously needed talent. For example, when they needed the bodies to pick up the slack in Izzy’s absence, it turned into a scrambling nightmare because the best option, Looper, one of the better closers of his time, had been pressed into starting action.

Imagine a world where you get six or, be still my heart, seven innings out of starters on even a semi-regular basis. No bullpen overexposure leads to better results. Add Looper and Welly to the pen for the last couple of years and you have a different picture.

I’m not talking about Big Names here. The Cardinals will never go for that. But spending the money (maybe even over-spending a bit) on guys actually trained – mentally and physically – to start would make a load of difference.

So I ask you, El Diablo, any chance of starters being addressed this off-season (lots of dry powder after years of financial inactivity)? Or will we get the old “crazy market” excuse followed by the “building-from-within” mantra?

I’ll hang up and listen.

Joe Strauss: Jason, I'm sure you may be seeking carpal tunnel treatment after that long-winded question. But it's a valid suggestion. Moving Looper and Wellemeyer into the rotation created a drag on the bullpen (which actually performed very well last season). The Cardinals did not buy into Looper as a closer. If you remember, they quickly came off him in '06 to install Wainwright in Izzy's absence. Carpenter, Wainwright, Pineiro and Wellemeyer are signed or under control for next season. We'll see how the club perceives Joel P. after this season. Garcia may receive a shot as fifth starter next spring, but TLR would likely hope for another proven arm to create competition and depth. For as many arms as the Cardinals carry on their roster and boast of within the system, major-league depth remains an issue. This winter's approach may be partly dictated by the team's success this season. More later.