Joe Strauss: Ok, here we go again, fresh from an all-nighter at Commerce Club and a cross-country flight from LAX. Time to chat!!! By now, everyone should be riding the big wave created by the ChatMeister insisting several weeks ago that the local nine may indeed be the team to beat in the NL. Further evidence why beginning a conversation with "JSL!!! said today..." only makes one look smart, sophisticated and way ahead of the curve. But most of you already knew that. There are, of course, other issues percolating below the surface of a team that may be headed to its league's best record. Given the profound knowledge exhibited weekly on this board, I'm sure your inquiries will steer the ChatMeister to those issues. True Fact: The Pacific Coast Highway above San Diego does indeed post season proclaming: "Hazard Warning. Tsunami" Can anybody deny the power of the JSL!!! Big Swell? Thought not. Let's proceed.

SoCalMike: Long time fan of the Cardinals and an avid reader of the tsunami. With all the talk about whether the Cards can sign Holliday or DeRosa for 2010, my question is what about Pinero. With any decent support this season, he would have 15 or 16 wins by now. Will the FO make a run at him prior to the free agency period. Some teams are likely to throw a lot of money his way. Your thoughts. Thanks for your weekly effort, it is much appreciated.

Joe Strauss: Interesting question and not an easy one for the ChatMeister or, more importantly, the organization to answer. Pineiro was a drag on last year's rotation, drawing the manager's ire for poor conditioning and fleeting focus. He's been a different pitcher this season, offering the game's best ground ball ratio and amazing consistency. (Those 2:25 time of games certainly ingratiate Joel to the scribes as well.) Do the Cardinals trust what they see. Pineiro turns 30 next month. Age shouldn't be a factor. So does the club make a 3 year/$$27-$30M offer for a guy who has arguably constucted a better season than Kyle Lohse (4 yr/$41M) did in 2008? Or is money held back to address Matt Holliday and a Pujols extension? John Smoltz looms as a potential wild card as well. Should Smoltz put together a compelling stretch run, his preference to pitch another season may dovetail with the Cardinals need to go cheap(er) on two possible vacancies in the rotation, one of which is almost certain to be reserved for an organizational arm. This is a topic GM John Mozeliak explores as we speak.

Jim Hency: Hello Joe, Reading on other chats about the demeanor of Albert lately. I also agree there is something going one with him that I have never seen before. The incidents recently with the messed up base running and the way he glared down Ryan was uncalled for and I have yet to see anything that Veneble did to agitate anyone. Albert is the best but he isn't getting all the attention he used to since the Holliday, De Rosa, Lugo trade. Some want to say it is his agressive play and his GAME FACE but he had all those before,I agree he is human and just maybe the human side that has jealousy in it is coming out. He has always wanted the FO to go out and find some one to protect him and now that he has it he sometimes acts like it is a disadvantge to him. Love him and hope he is a Cardinal for his entire playing career but I just want him to be the same supportive team mate as he has always been. I really believe he needs to apologize to Brendon, not publicly but at lest let him know he made a mistake. You just don't show up anyone on the playing surface, especially not your own team mate.

Joe Strauss: Your post reflects the thoughts of many who watched the Padres series. Ryan took responsibility for the baserunning gaffe Friday night. Albert is considered a leader on the team. The play also left El Hombre out to dry. Perhaps any rebuke should have been saved for the dugout. And, yes, the reaction to Sunday's play involving Will Venable struck many as extreme. However, a play in Saturday night's game between the two probably fed Sunday's reaction more. The Houston Astros may still recall Albert's rough slide into catcher J.R. Towles a couple years back. These things happen. Albert perhaps expected greater respect from Venable than he received. (He said so.) Indeed, Albert has never struck me as a guy who plays the game "mean." He's often acts as a "mayor" when conversing with opponents at first base. Albert has also become sensitive to questions about his health though numerous people within the organization confirm his elbow is an ongoing issue.

mikeo2009@hughes.net: Can you give us a hint on what you were talking about on your twit the other ningt?

Joe Strauss: I'm sure you reference an allusion to the club casting an eye toward the 2010 season. With Holliday's big-ticket free agency looming, the club will likely alter a longstanding philosophy against doing contracts in season. It's expected that Mo' will address bullpen issues such as pending free agent Trever Miller and closer Ryan Franklin, whose deal includes a club option for next season. Team sources indicate it's likely the club will rework Franklin's option as part of a two-year extension to run through 2011. It's a good deal for both parties given that the Cardinals were prepared to commit $14 million-$16 million to Brian Fuentes last winter. Franklin could lead the league in saves at a bargain $2.5 million. The option is for $2.75 million. A two-year, $8 million deal would seem in the ballpark.

putmeincoach: Hello from Memphis Joe,
Brandon Yarbrough has gotten a lot of playing time since the Brian Anderson's season ended from the shoulder injury. Lately he has been tearing the cover off the ball. What does the organization think of him as a catcher? I really enjoy your pregame shows with Steve Selby.

Joe Strauss: It took Yarbrough five years to clear Class A but he has done a lot with this year's opportunity at Memphis. He's perceived as primarily a bat guy who remains raw defensively. He began to blossom as a hitter in '07 at Palm Beach, where he led the FSL with 11 triples. He hit eight at Springfield last year. His ability to bat lefthanded doesn't hurt. However, his standing depends largely on Bryan Anderson's standing.
Selby? Who's Steve Selby?