Joe Strauss: All right, everybody. Surf's back up!!! Way, way up!!! The ChatMeister is off the middle leg of the Cardinals' three-city road trip before heading to Cincinnati. This allows for precious "family time" (meaning, relentless brow-beating from Mrs. ChatMeister, a.k.a. "Lady Diablo.") and unintererrupted chat for JSL!!! I have plenty of motivation for what soccer geeks call "extra time" today. So before further interruption, let's dive headfirst into the Big Wave. I'm sure you have questions about Carp', the team's staccato season and its imperiled wild card chances. I detect unrest. So let's get it on!!!

Phillip: Chatmeister

I’m a first time tsunami rider from OKC…give me some love, and I will tell all the OKC Cards fans about the JSL tidal wave!

Does anyone else think that having Wainwright come back as a reliever is a mistake (if not a monumental one). The guy is an ace in waiting, and going to the ‘pen for the rest of the year could only set some of that back. I understand that our bullpen needs some love, but let me offer this. If a starter needs to move to the ‘pen, then why not Wellemeyer? Think about it…he throws in the upper 90’s, and he seems to start hitting the wall around the 5th or 6th inning anyway.

It seems to me this would be perfect! Wainwright is an innings eater (which helps the ‘pen), and lest we forget, he has been a starter for most of his career. Wellemeyer is a fire-baller who, if moved to the pen, would not have to worry about saving anything for the later innings. He could go out and throw as hard as he wanted to and be our poor man’s version of Billy Wagner.

Now tell me why I am wrong.

-Phillip in OKC

Joe Strauss: Your angst-ridden request has been answered by Carpenter's "posterior shoulder strain." I was on board with Waino returning to the rotation. (And Waino apparently was in agreement with JSL!!!) However, a perceived greater need in the ninth inning caused a shift in plans. Wainwright now must alter course again and have to ramp up as a starter Saturday for Double-A Springfield. None of this is ideal and only extends what has been an ad hoc situation that has existed since early June.

I'd never tell you you were wrong, Phil, except for your suggestion that Oklahoma City has yet to be hit by the JSL!!! tsunami. Hit your local hot spot this weekend, approach a hottie and smoothly inform her, "I hit the board at JSL!!!" Nuf' sed.

drelboc: GREAT CHATMEISTER, THAT IS "JSL!!!"

I have been getting crushed by the GREAT tsunami. SAVE ME CHATMEISTER! This is my third time going under!

Quick question. Do you think the Cards will go after an IMPACT BAT to protect Pujols before the start of the "09" season? I still think they need that bat because even with Ludwicks huge year, Pujols still gets ALL the respect due to the fact that he still gets very little of the plate to eat from.

THANK YOU FOR SAVING ME FROM THE CRUSHING TSUNAMI. I SHALL BE FOREVER GRATEFUL TO "JSL!!!"

Joe Strauss: My guess is they'll pursue a middle infielder who could fit in the No. 6 spot in the order. Or they could seek a middle infield leadoff hitter (O. Cabrera) while packaging an OF and a prospect for an "impact" hitter. I don't envision the club spending mega dollars for a hitter on the free agent market. Pujols, Ludwick, Ankiel and Glaus form a solid core. Another run producer to bat sixth would extend that "protection." Chris Duncan is still here. The Cardinals are likely to see what he can do next spring after undergoing surgery to remove a herniated disc. Schumaker may be most vulnerable to trade if the club projects Rasmus in St. Louis next year. I'm a Schu' backer, but I can see how that would happen.

tc22: Joe,

With a bullpen that continues to blow save opportunities and no real closer, what shakeups do you foresee next year in our relief corp? It has been our bullpen, not necessarily the injuries to Carpenter and Wainwright, that have destroyed any hope of making the post season this year!

Joe Strauss: Chris Perez is currently de facto closer. He will be evaluated these next six weeks and a detemination made whether he can be trusted in '09. Ryan Franklin is under contract for next season but it's doubtful the club would want to install him permanantly in the role. I wouldn't minimize what the losses of Carpenter and Wainwright have done to the staff. A recent shortage of innings has overexposed the bullpen. That likely would not have happened with Carp', Wainwright, Lohse and Looper all pitching well. A case can be made that overly optimistic projections for the return of their injured pitchers handicapped this season.

tc22: O Wise Sage of the Tsunami,

With Carpenter likely to be out for a while will the Cardinals consider signing Freddy Garcia to help out this season? He is the type of ground ball, pitch-to-contact pitcher that Duncan and TLR love! Reports say that he is expected to sign somewhere soon though St Louis hasn't been mentioned as one of the teams looking at him. Sure he is a previously injured reclamation project, but he is a veteran and he's cheap! Isn't that what the Cardinals specialize in? (wink, wink!)

Joe Strauss: Freddy Garcia signed a minor-league deal with Detroit, meaning the ChatMeister thankfully won't have to address weekly questions from the Garcia fan club. Question: why is it a good idea to chase a guy coming off shoulder surgery when the club has been dealing with injured pitchers the last two seasons. If you're being sarcastic, I apologize for missing it. But this guy is as walking question mark.