Joe Strauss: All right, everybody up!!! Apparently Joe Strauss Live!!! is the only local media not on hand for the Shaq Vs. press conference going on downtown as we speak. See what I give up for the ChatHeads? Well, the Cardinals are fervently seeking a RH reliever and apparently are indeed interested in Boston Red Sox exiled starter and future Hall of Famer John Smoltz. The organization denied interest "at this time" yesterday but have put in calls regarding Smoltzie. They may be using the same playbook as exercised on Julio Lugo, deny publicly but pursue privately. Regardless, Smoltz would certainly add experience and postseason credibility, just not sure how much the future Champions Tour golfer has left in the tank. Stay tuned. Without further ado, let's proceed to a diminished board. Traffic way down, perhaps because the chat was listed as going down on Friday until the last 24 hours. Oh, well, we're all over Shaq and El Hombre!!!

hewie2: Kudos to you for providing an insider link to us outsiders, with your razor-sharp wit as a bonus!
What's the party line on the status of Dennys Reyes? It seems that lately he's been often seen doing his best Ron Villone impression. Is there a chance we'll see Royce Ring in September?

Joe Strauss: Ring could be promoted but Reyes is going nowhere. The Cardinals signed Big Sweat to a two-year, $3 million deal this spring. Reyes makes $2 million in 2010. Trever Miller and Reyes have done a solid, often outstanding job against LH bats. It's only when they are overexposed against rights that problems arise. Ring is not on the 40-man roster but has pitched consistently well at Memphis. He's allowed only 2 HR while amassing a 1.12 WHIP in 41 innings. The Cardinals' have three vacancies on their 40-man at present. Tough call.

deebox: Hey Joe every one keep talking about our third baseman for 2010. I don;t think they need to look any farther than craig this young man hit better than all our candidates in spring training. then they sent him back to the minors and he got down on him self. This young man can play third, but they move him to first base, knowing all so well that albert has that position locked up.Put him back at third and i guarantee tou he will solve your problem, and lock up that position.

Joe Strauss: Craig may project as a Joe Mather type short term. I question the club's commitment to exposing him as an everyday third baseman. Following the trade of Brett Wallace, they put David Freese there. Craig is not known as a defender. It would be intriguing to see him receive some exposure in September at this levely. I can't put him in Cooperstown yet.

NY Card Fan: Chatmeister,

Any hope in your opinion for a waiver deal to secure one decent RH reliever to replace Motte in the bullpen pecking order? I was at the game in Philly when Motte got tatooed for a couple of bombs and it wasn't pretty. When Ronny Effing Cedeno is then taking you deep, I think you're of the mix for meaningful innings. McClellan is reliable more often than not, Hawksworth is coming on, but I think they still need another quality RH arm in that bullpen. Thoughts?

Joe Strauss: The club and, more significantly, JSL!!! believes you are spot on. Something will happen.

Brett: I know you're surely tired of all the "Re-Sign Holliday" talk. But for one final question...what does your gut say about it? What % chance do you think that he signs long term here?

If not him...who do we go out and get to replace him? Jason Bay?

Joe Strauss: Bay is a good fallback name. The club is interested in engaging Holliday in discussions before season's end. His agent, Scott Boras, no doubt realizes some big-market suitors such as the LA Angels, NY Yankees and the Red Sox would have interest. Boras' style is not to go the home team discount rate. Barring Holliday's direct involvement, it appears a tough sign.