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.

Troy in Florissant: Mr. Strauss,

Lost in the chaos of the Cardinal bullpen has been a superb season by Florissant native Kyle Mcclellan. What role do you foresee for him in 2009? Many thanks to you for JSL. It is the best part of Wednesday.

Joe Strauss: McClellan has shown himself very durable and able to handle high-stress situations. Franklin will enter camp as the RH set-up guy, but I can see how McClellan could challenge for that role. McClellan's success against LH hitters makes him extremely flexible. Like you, I would rate him the franchise's pitching find of '07.

ryan weyrauch: Hey Joe,
First I would like to vent a little. Im so sick of reading about everybody complaining about the bullpen. If our starting pitching would go 7 innings or our offense would score more we wouldnt lose so many 3 to 2 games in the 9th or 11th inning. Now to my question, would Jocketty (reds) been willing to trade with the cards? The diamondbacks didnt give up much for Dunn. It would be nice to have him batting behind or in front of Pujols and make Skip the 4th OF. I didnt know if their was hard feelings that would create a lack of communication bettween Mo and Walt? Then at the end of the season when Dunn left for free agency we would have got a couple draft picks,correct? Thanks for your time.

Joe Strauss: For one thing, you don't know the full price tag for Dunn yet, since two of the players are to be named (and one is apparently Micah Owings). For another, trading within the division is usually a tricky enterprice. And, yes, relationships were definitely strained when Mo' succeeded Walt. Many within the game expect a number of defections from the Cardinals to the Reds after this season. We'll see. Dunn will bring the Diamondbacks draft compensation if he is not re-signed as a free agent.

Don Muenz: Good afternoon, Joe.
I do not share the conventional optimism about the 2009 season.
Though we seem to have a great number of outfield prospects who can hit, in Ludwick, Ankiel, Schumaker, Mather, Rasmus and a hopefully healthy Duncan, to name a few, we seem to be in dire need of starting pitching.
Based on Carpenter's injury history and recent developments, can he really be counted on?
Mulder will not have his option picked up and may never pitch again.
Lohse, a Boras client, will doubtlessly sign elsewhere for big bucks.
We have no closer, so if Adam has to go there, that leaves another hole in the starting roation.
Looper is a free agent and I am ambivalent on even trying to re-sign him.
Pineiro had been a major disappointment.
Each AAA pitcher we brought up has not done well, either they are not quite ready or never will be.
We all know how tight the Cards are with a buck, so where does the help come from?
Our bullpen is a shambles, but some order could be restored with an established closer and the return of Kinney, Johnson and Flores to health and some semblance of form.
Our middle infield is just not very good and there does not seem to be much "down on the farm" that is ready to step up. I like Miles, but we need frontliners at 2B and SS, not a gaggle of utility players masquerading as starters.
I see no solution, except trades and free agency.
I sincerely hope that there is some better news, Joe, and apologize for the length of this.

Joe Strauss: Henceforth, you shall be known as "Worst Case Scenario" Don. What you haven't factored in is player moves made between now and next spring. (Insert cynical rip of tightwad ownership and slow-moving front office here.) The ChatMeister suggested before July 31 that a lack of movement would lead to a loss of credibility among a portion of the fan base. That appears to have happened. However, I think a larger measure of the club's course will be made obvious this winter. If it stands pat, you become "Right On Don."

Matt Bilyeu: Greetings Chatmeister!
Why have we seen so many cardinals bunting in inappropriate situations the last couple years? It seemed for a while to be Jim Edmonds' bad idea but this year I recall at least twice poor bunt decisions were made. Friday afternoon in the ninth inning with 1 out, Cesar Izturis playing beautiful baseball steals 2nd and 3rd so Skip Schumaker, with 2 outs, can square to bunt? What's going on here? Am I being nieve? Is this a good baseball move? Skip was batting 346 against righties at this point. You may ignore all the redundant questions prior to this point and please answer this. Is this Tony's move or have the individual players made these bad decisions? Either way it looks like terrible management to me. Which is why I suspect the latter. If Skip made that decision then shame on him AND Tony for not educating his player on the situation long ago. I simply can't belive that Tony would've called that bunt. Thank you very much. cards fan stranded in chi-town.

Joe Strauss: Skip bunted on his own and was thrown out on a great barehanded play. At the time I turned to a colleague and thought it was two great plays. However, there were those in the dugout who agreed with you that Schumakers' bunt attempt (he dragged it; he didn't square) was an inappropriate play. If he beats the throw, I dare say the parade's still going on.

Fuhrig: Dear Surf Dude, Gambling Guru and Ostrich (Strauss) of Awesomeness,

There’s a theory I first heard probably 20 years ago for the Cubs’ struggles since WWII. Of course, that was when they won their last pennant. It was also when lights came into Major League Baseball. The theory is that the Cubs are at a disadvantage — and prone to late-season collapse, as we’ve often seen — due to playing dozens more day games in the summer heat than all other teams. An average NL team might play 50 day games a year, but the Cubs play more like 80 day games. The extra 30 day games at home, which fall disproportionately in July and August, have a tendency to wear down Cubs players; even Chicago has severe heat and humidity in the dead of summer. Forget the Billy Goat; it’s the curse of the Dog Days. Whether it hurts the every-day players or the pitching most, I’m not sure. But in a game like baseball, where marginal advantages and disadvantages make the difference between winning and losing over a 162-game schedule, it’s plenty plausible. How else do you explain the failures of a franchise that has had plenty of talent over the years?

Joe Strauss: The Cubs apparently agree with you, as they are attempting to move a number of their night games to Friday to avoid having an afternoon start after returning from road trips that morning. They won't get more night dates, but may have more flexibility in assigning them. Lou Piniella is publicly on board with the idea, which likely will be implemented.

renomike99: Joe, were John Mozeliak to run for mayor of St. Louis, chances are he wouldn't win. However, my take on his first year on the job is that virtually every personnel move Mo has made, has worked. Mozeliak got great value for Glaus in exchange for Rolen (back on the DL with a bad shoulder and a contract of about 11.6 million per...). Izturis has been a huge defensive impovement over Eckstein, and is starting to hit. Lohse has been one of the best pitchers in the national league...The only deficiency I see is that Mozeliak seems deliberate to a fault, reluctant to recognize failed contracts which should simply be written off (Mulder), and unable to address the Cardinals historically bad bullpen in the hopes that the problem will rectify itself internally (I doubt it will). Still, were I to give Mozeliak a grade, I would give him an A-.

Am, I an easy grader, or is Mozeliak under-appreciated by St Louis fans?

Joe Strauss: I agree with much of what you say. Mo' has satisfied ownership but he may receiver harsher grades from those beneath him on the food chain who believe A. The club is overvaluing prospects to a fault and, B. Because of said overvaluing, failed to seize an opportunity to support a club that had overachieved its way into contention. The Lohse move this spring speaks well of Mo's ability to react to a situation. However, there are those who question whether that ability has resurfaced during the season. As stated here before, Mo' is in a tough spot. He signed on for an different organizational philosophy when he took the job but must also deal with a veteran, even intimidating-to-some manager who publicly put his cards on the table in Philadelphia before the All-Star break.

William Rich: Who goes when Brian Barton returns to the roster?

Joe Strauss: It could be satisfied by Carp' landing on the DL or by Friday's starting pitcher being optioned after the game. The Cardinals won't need 13 pitchers when they return from this road trip. Their next home stand includes four off days.

BradV: Does Wainright's program change and get prolonged if it's determined that Carpenter will be out any length of time? I'm guessing if Carpenter has to miss a few weeks, they don't have a choice but to bring Wainright back as a starter.

Joe Strauss: If you invest 75 cents in today's Post-Dispatch or read on-line, you will find that Derrick "Junior" Goold confirms your suspicions in his comprehensive report.

Michael: Joe,
With the GM's gamble on Mulder, Carpenter and getting no bullpen/closer help at the trade deadline apparently not paying off, what are the chances TLR may just call it a career at the end of the season? The GM's view of holding on to the young talent for the future is fine, but I can't imagine Tony wants to spend the next few years going through the growing pains of shepherding young talent. He is at a stage in his career where I'm guessing he wants to win now. With his and Duncan's preference for experienced talent at certain positions and the GM's unwillingness/inability to give them that right now, why would TLR want to stick around and what is the possibility of a new manager come 2009? I like Tony, he's a proven winner but I can't imagine he's happy behind the scenes with the GM's gambles. Thanks for all your work.

Joe Strauss: Only TLR can answer your suggestion, but it is one shared by others inside and outside the industry. Pitching coach Dave Duncan is a "free agent" after this season and has yet to show his hand regarding his future plans. My guess is Tony will need to be sold on this winter's course of action. That said, he has 4.5 million reasons to return for the second half of his contract.

Janice from Memphis: O all-knowing and omniscient one, Tony showed his complete lack of confidence in Izzy when he didn't believe he could hold a 9-run lead against the Cubs on Saturday. Did something happen after Izzy struck out the side Thursday to convince TLR to never use him again? I notice Izzy is dodging the media. What is going on and why don't the Cardinals cut Izzy loose so he can pursue his 300th save elsewhere (somewhere where the fans don't boo their own pitchers when they walk out to the mound)?

Joe Strauss: Izzy appeared in a one-run game last night in Florida. He's not longer considered a ninth-inning option in a save situation but he's not completely exiled from important situations. Negative fan reaction always bothers Izzy, since he is a local guy who took less to sign here originally. He has also laid off money from contracts when the club has asked. As for him dogging the media, Izzy has been a reluctant quote the last two weeks. Perhaps he blames the media for fanning the public's discontent. I do know that many within the media remained more supportive of him than some within his own organization. To each his own. It's an unfortunate way to end what has been a overwhelmingly productive run in St. Louis.

Jeff: oh great wise chatmater, only thing greater during the work week than JSL is 5 o'clock friday afternoon. I really look forward to every Wednesday's chats

With the uncertainty of Wainwrights role when he comes back to the big club (starter, err I mean closer, err I mean starter)how is this going to affect his performance in whatever he ends up doing?

I am going to Cincinnati for the weekend series, any tips for "gotta see" attractions?

Joe Strauss: The ChatMeister usually holes up across the river in Covington. I'm fond of several boats in nearby Rising Sun, Indiana. Strangely, these boats never leave the dock and seem to be stacked with games of chance. Of course, the ChatMeister likes them only for the flashing lights and fellowship.

cards fan trapped in chi-town: Ah, the JSL wave . . . so cool and refreshing.

What are the qualifications for becoming a sportswriter such as yourself? Is it a matter of education, talent and luck? Did you pay your dues as a ripple in the ocean before becoming a full blown tsunami?

Joe Strauss: On a scale of 1-10... Education: 3... Talent... 8... Luck... 9. I was a brief ripple before landing at the once-great Atlanta Journal-Constitution. I moved to the Baltimore Sun to cover the once-great Orioles. I then arrived in St. Louis to cover the Cardinals. I will spare any sarcastic characterization of my current situation for obvious reasons. It's a tough business now because newspapers are an eroding, or at least an "evolving" industry. Fortunately, the newspaper still matters in St. Louis and to the Cardinals fan base. Hence, the tsunami.

Grant Weeks: I see three out of wack contracts on the teams. Izzy(8 million), Mulder(7 million), Encarnacion(6.5 million). Are all these guys coming back or will the Cards have some money to shop with next off-season?

Joe Strauss: The Cardinals should have about $30 million come off the books before next winter. Lohse and Izturis account for another $6.5M.

brettjhouston: Hey Joe,
I'm a lifetime cards fan living in Houston. It's been maddening watching this ballclub with so much heart squander so many leads this year. I understand and appreciate the concept of not letting others raid your minor leagues for bullpen/hitting help. However, I also feel that you owe it to TLR, Pujols and others to do what you can when they come so close. It can't be easy resigning guys if they know through experience that this club will sit still and not do everything it can to "finish the deal", your thoughts please..... And, thanks for the weekly insight oh wise one!
BA

Joe Strauss: There is some foundation to what you say. Albert's contract expires after the 2011 season if the club exercises its option. There may well be a managerial change by then. (TLR is 63 with one year left on his current deal.) Whether they believe it fair or not, the organization is increasingly seen as "tight." True, they are committing funds to scouting and player development, especially in the Caribbean. They also plan to become more involved in the Pacific Rim. But for an organization that depends more heavily than most on attendance, maintaining a competitive product is vital. Lower attendance equals lower revenue. That's a tough cycle to break. Again, this winter will say much about the club's future direction and its commitment to contending near term.

Tom: Chatmeister,

Why does Jim Edmonds hate me?

Signed,
Average Cards Fan

Joe Strauss: He doesn't. Don't believe the spin. I spoke with Edmonds for about 20 minutes last Saturday morning. For a guy who could come off as pretty dismissive at times while with the Cardinals, he really cares about how he is perceived here. I wasn't there when he had his Friday back and forth with two St. Louis broadcasters. If he dropped an F-bomb, that was wrong. He denies doing so. I know TLR's snub last month bruised him deeply. He's enjoying a nice run with a contender after enduring two injury-filled years here. I don't begrudge him that. He's a borderline Hall of Fame player. Funny, when Edmonds was a Cardinal, he could completely diss the media and many fans would say, "You go, boy." He does the same with the Cubs and it's a capital crime.

Mike Nader: In your opinion, what is the possibility of the club deciding to shut Albert down before the end of the season for elbow surgery?

Joe Strauss: Very low barring further deterioration of his condition. I know there are media reports that his elbow is becoming more of a problem. I don't doubt it. But nothing has been said about an imminent shutdown.

Matt: Chatmeister Extraordinaire:

Please don't take this as pessimistic, but...

The Cards are 7 games out of first, 4 games out of the WC, and closer to the Astros in the standings than the Cubs. Milwaukee's schedule the rest of the way is pretty easy. I say all of this because I wonder: is it really worth it to rush Carpenter back at this point? I feel like while we have competed beyond expectations this year, we're done. Any thought of shutting him down the rest of the season, or at least for a significant amount of time?

Joe Strauss: Hard to say without all the facts. The Cardinals released a statement shortly before midnight local time Tuesday saying Carpenter was suffering from a posterior strain of the shoulder. The statement hastened that there is no rotator cuff involvment. Funny, but Sunday the problem was described as a "strained triceps." My information is that the triceps is around the humerus (upper arm), not the shoulder. The club did not provide further detail Tuesday night. Carpenter may clarify things today. The fact that he rejoined the team is encouraging. But the continuing intrigue suggests this may mean more than one missed start. A strain, by definition, is a tear. Yours is a legitimate question but one the organization apparently does not feel the need to answer.

The Pastor: Hello, Joe...
I posted a comment with you just before the trade deadline indicating that I felt many Cardinals fans (including me) would feel "disenfranchised" if the Cards did nothing by the trade deadline. Well, they did--and I do! So--do YOU feel disenfranchise by the lack of action by the front office, or do you see another real upside?

Also, would you please explain the details of how post-deadline trades work? Thank you!

Joe Strauss: Since I plan to vote in November, I am not disenfranchised. Post-deadline deals require that players first pass through waivers. A NL player, for example, is offered to every NL club in ascending order of record before then being offered to AL clubs. If multiple claims are made, the team with the worst record receives dibs. The two teams then have 48 hours to make a deal. If no deal is made, the player's club can either let the claiming team assume the player and his entire salary, or pull the player off waivers.
For example, because the Arizona Diamondbacks had a lesser record than the Cardinals, they had first shot at Adam Dunn.

joeboevercloever: I'm waxing up my board, ready to jump in to the tsunami frenzy...

My question, oh wise meister of the chat, is this, Which is closest to the real skipper, the guy we see when ESPN's Miller/Morgan does an in-game interview, or the guy we see in most post-game press conferences?

Cowabunga, Dude
Joe

Joe Strauss: TLR is on his best behavior when dealing with his two media friends from the Bay Area. Miller is the best play-by-play guy going, in the ChatMeister's opinion. Morgan is, well, a Hall of Famer, something you've probably picked up on if you've ever heard his broadcast. These guys are well compensated, have network juice and dress nicely. The locals don't dress so nice, don't make serious jack (unless you're the ChatMeister, Bernie or Frank Cusamano) and sometimes forget to bow. We also tend to be around after a loss rather than only before the game. To answer your question, Tony's both guys.

Juan Celia: Hey Joe. I've been hearing a lot about Adam Wainwright's role when he comes back. Closer or late-inning reliever. But I think he should take his job of ace in the starting rotation now that Carpenter is hurt and Lohse has not been pitching well lately. Besides, Piñeiro has reliever experience and taking into account he has been the least effective starter. What do you think?

Joe Strauss: If Carp is available, use Carp', Lohse, Looper, Wellemeyer and Pineiro. If Carp is unavailable, insert Waino in the rotation and give the ninth inning to Perez. That said, if Waino goes in the rotation and Carpenter eventually returns, I leave Wainwright there and move one of the other starters to the pen. It's unfair to jerk Wainwright around like this following an injury. The Cardinals can get by with four starters during the next homestand. TLR may tip his hand then regarding which starter is most vulnerable.

Ryan: Brendan Ryan gave many fans hope last year with his lively attitude and decent average. This season he has trailed off quite a bit, lost playing time, and is now trying to get some AB's in Memphis. With the possibility of an added SS in the offseason (Furcal? Cabrera?) and the younger guys playing well in the minors (Kozma, Greene), do you think Brendan will have a place on this team in the future?

Joe Strauss: Perhaps as a utility guy but doubtful as a starter. TLR has never been on his bandwagon and Ryan's lack of offense this season may have only hardened those concerns. I could see Ryan being shopped this winter if the club lands a free agent shortstop. A team like the Baltimore Orioles may have some interest.

Ryan Judd: Hey Joe,
Multiple times this year the Cardinals score a bunch early and then nothing for 7 or 8 innings. Do they lose focus after building an early lead or does the pitcher just settle in? It semms like they could scrap a run or two more over the course of the game. We make other pitchers look like Koufax too often.
Also, the second inning last night was brutal. First Lohse doesn't hustle after a ball he thinks is foul and gives up the hit. Then he grooves the third pitch for the pitcher to bunt when Volstad's first two attempts were a joke and looked like he never picked up a bat before. Lastly, throws a lollipop 2-0 pitch to the only Marlin you don't want to give into. How can Lohse lose concentration for an entire inning? Just another brutal loss in a season full of them. I feel a little better now.

Joe Strauss: In Cardinal parlance, Lohse suffered "a Pineiro."

Bill: Do you think Jason Motte could help the Cardinals bullpen now.

Joe Strauss: I haven't seen Motte pitch in person since spring training, but those who have suggest he still lacks a reliable second pitch. The Cardinals like him a lot. He may get a September peek but it's more likely his next longer look will occur in spring training. His future is near but not now, according to those who have been watching him.

Tizerb: Ohhhh JSL!!! The trials and tribulations of this season continues...

From the looks of the message boards, it looks like more and more people are writing this season off already. I refuse to do as much until we are mathmatically eliminated. All that being said, do the Cards continue to patch the rotation together with the same old/same old like we did before Carp and carry on or will we pick up someone via 'WAIVER WIRE 2008!!!'?

Oh, and are you on board with the conspiracy that MLB wants to give the Cubbies every break under the sun to get them to the WS in order for great ratings? I know they are good, but come on, with that rotation and spot starters (Fukudome, Johnson, Ward, Edmonds, etc.) are they that good? I know Lee, Ramirez, Soriano, Zambrano and now Harden are for real, but I have a hard time believe the rest of that roster is.

Guess I'm sipping too much of that red kool-aide again, huh?

Joe Strauss: If Wainwright returns to the rotation, it takes on a better look. Waiver opportunities are limited as several contenders in need of pitching help (Phil, NYM, Fla.) get cracks at NL players before the Cardinals because of their inferior records. The Cubs are the league's best team this season, in the ChatMeister's opinion. They're talented enough to win even when playing the game loosely. Philadelphia could challenge them if their hitting catches. The Diamondbacks could give them problems if R. Johnson remains healthy. The Cubs' wipeoout of Milwaukee after the Brewers swept through St. Louis spoke volumes.

dsmith1119: Hello, thanks alot for doing these chats, keep up the good work!

I've been wondering about this, especially with LaRussa climbing the all time wins ladder. When a Manager is ejected during a game or suspended, who gets the wins/loses on their personal record?

Does it count for the Manager or does the Bench Coach or someone get the credit?

Just curious,
Thanks alot!

Joe Strauss: The skipper gets credit, as was the case in Arizona, I believe, after TLR was suspended in September 2003 for his diatribe against umpire Jerry Crawford. Jose Oquendo ran the game but did not get credit for the wins.

Randy Klues: Hey JSL!!! first time ridin' the JSL Tsunami..what a thrill! Any chance the Cards exercise Mulders buyout and then try to re-sign him to a minor league contract? (third time's gotta be a charm right?)

thanks

Randy

Joe Strauss: I have not heard that scenario, though TLR strongly endorsed Mulder attempting to rehab through his latest problem. After what he's experienced, I'm not sure Mulder would want a minor-league deal.

msd32: Why is it that with such a clear need for additional pitching (starter or reliever) and the team obviously in contention, management sat on their hands and did nothing to help this ball club?

Joe Strauss: In its judgement, the instant gratification did not justify the potential long-term loss.

chrusctp: JSL is the saving grace on a slow Wednesday! I've got a hypothetical for the Chatmeister. You are the Cards GM. You call the Marlins and tell them you want Hanley Ramirez and are willing to offer Colby Rasmus, their choice of Wainwright or Molina, and another decent prospect (Mitchell Boggs?). What would be the reaction on the other end of the line?

Joe Strauss: "I'll take the deal, Mo', as long as the medicals clear Wainwright. And by the way, what's the location of the Taco Bell where you're going to be shift manager?"

Tom: Hey Chatmeister,

Thanks for another great chat.

Was surprised to hear that the Cards are hesitant to lock Ludwick up in the offseason. If he plays out the year strong, do you think the brass will change their minds? Would like to see he and Ankiel locked up this offseason. Also, what are the chances that Felipe Lopez is our starting shortstop or second baseman next year?

Thanks,

tom

Joe Strauss: Current thinking is that the club will attempt to hammer out a one-year deal with Ankiel and Ludwick to avoid arbitration. Ankiel is a free agent after the '09 season. Ludwick is a 30 year old guy enjoying a breakout year. As Mo' said in last Sunday's P-D, there is debate about how much stock the club can place in such a lightning strike. Ankiel does not stand to score big in arbitration because he was up as a hitter for two months last year. The organizational catch phrase is "flexiblity." The fewer long-term contract, the better, especially until the club sorts out this winter's trade and free agent market. I don't expect Lopez to be starting for this team next season.

Tom: Hi Chatmeister,

For the record, I don’t care who TLR says is closing games, as long as he keeps calling me up in the ninth inning with the game on the line.

Thanks,
Chris Perez

Joe Strauss: If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, you can call it Fido but it's still a duck.

Joe Strauss: OK, extra time is over. That's going to do it for this week as we'll wait and see whether Chris Carpenter is scheduled to make next Wednesday's start. By then, the Cardinals will have only 34 games left. We should have clarity on Adam Wainwright. Brian Barton should be activated by then. We'll see about what else. The sum of the last few weeks' parts makes it difficult to envision the 8- or 9-game win streak this team needs to return to challenge the wild card-leading Brewers. That said, an upcoming home stand against Atlanta, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati offers the chance to get something going. Thanks for writing and reading. The tide is heading out. Until next week.