Joe Strauss: As promised, we're coming to you LIVE!!! from the Great American Ball Park press box overlooking the Ohio River. It's the penultimate (BirdLand speak for "next-to-last") regular season edition of Joe Strauss Live!!! Judging by the volume and tone of your questions, it's a good thing the Rams are in total meltdown or else somebody might be convening a pitchfork and bonfire convention at Busch. I'm not breaking ground here by saying the last three weeks haven't been pretty. A 4-12 swoon is even harder to take given where a .500 stretch would leave the local nine. Apparently, the "so-called experts" who predicted a second-division finish will be proven correct. We're witnessing a worn out team that overachieved for more than four months. The ChatMeister senses most of you want to look ahead, so let's climb atop the Tsunami, a.k.a. "the big swell", for another wild ride. Let's Get It On!!!

Don in northern KY: I love the chats Joe! I keep wondering whether guys like Wellemeyer, Ludwick, and Schumaker are one-year wonders. Also, will Glaus stay healthy? I finally bought the DirecTV baseball package this year and overall, I liked what I saw of each of them. I just worry about depending on guys with a one-year track record. What do you think?

Joe Strauss: While all three are enjoying their best career years, I debate the term "one-year wonders." Ludwick has tailed off dramatically lately, but I believe it more from fatigue than anything else. Is he an annual 30 HR-100 RBI guy. Maybe not. But I think Ludwick (.290) proved in '07 production per hit is among the highest on the club. This is his first season with more than 305 major-league at-bats. Schumaker hit for average last season but was exiled in August to make room for Chris Duncan after he exited the DL. Schu' trails only Chipper Jones in batting average against RH pitching. He's a plus defender. Wellemeyer recently lasted eight innings and is slowly changing the label of a 5-inning pitcher.
Key: Ludwick is first-time arbitration eligible. Wellemeyer is arbitration eligible and working off a modest platform ($1 million). Schumaker does not become arbitration eligible until after '09.

Vince B.: Joe,

The Cards most glaring needs for 2009 seem to be a LH reliever, middle infielder, and starting pitcher. What are your thoughts on Lopez starting at SS next year and adding one of the following 2B: Brian Robers, Jose Lopez, Placido Polanco, or Dan Uggla. I like either Jose Lopez or Roberts who is the best all around 2B of this bunch nearing 50 doubles, 40 SBs, and .300 average. Uggla strikes out way too much. Thanks.

Joe Strauss: There's been much recent support for acquiring Uggla, a power hitter who strikes out a ton and is marginal defensively. Roberts is due $8 million next season, his walk year before free agency. Uggla is first-time arbitration-eligible. There will be much activity surrounding the Cardinal's middle infield this winter. I question whether the club will anoint Felipe Lopez a starter because of defensive concerns, but he could stick as a Spiezio-style utility player. Brendan Ryan is likely to play winter ball in Mexico or Venezuela. His value has dropped this season but I can see the Cardinals including him in a deal.

Dave: The season ain't over until the last game has been played. I had a question about the Cardinals farm system. This has been a transition year where the organization takes stock of what it has and preps the farm system for promotions and trades. I keep hearing that we have a good farm system, but I wonder sometimes. Where would you place the Cardinal's farm system among MLB teams? There is talk about the Cards trading prospects this winter for proven players, but how likely do you think that is after having spent an entire year assessing what they had and not making a move when the team had a legitimate shot at the postseason? Do the Cards have the prospects to move and if they did move them would it set the farm system back resulting in the same situation they ran into during Jocketty's tenure? Are they going to build a legitimate self-renewing talent base (say top 10 in the league) or was 2008 a reloading for another win now approach? Sorry for the long question but I'm hearing conflicting messages from upper management. Thanks and keep the Tsunami alive and going into the offseason.

Joe Strauss: For what it's worth, Baseball America ranked the Cardinals No. 13 among player development systems prior to this season. That ranking may improve. BA gave its blessing to this year's draft. Meanwhile, the affiliates fared well despite consistently fielding some of the youngest rosters at their respective levels. I can see a move to the Top 10. What that really means is debatable. Other organizations see the Cardinals with plenty of decent RH pitching but few impact arms who project as major league starters. (Jess Todd, for example, projects for many as a reliever.) There are bats, but most are perceived as Moneyball types lacking in athleticism. The Cardinals can "move" players. Sure. But their trade value (beyond Rasmus and possibly Perez) is not enough to craft a mega-deal.

Mark Hayden: Joe, With the uncertainty surrounding Carpenter's health a concern right now, what are the chances of the Cardinals' resigning Lohse? and what starting pitchers are under contact for '09. Thanks

Joe Strauss: I believe that economics make it more likely they will re-sign Looper. But that is only a hunch. Carpenter, Wellemeyer, Pineiro and Wainwright are already under contract (or in Wellemeyer's case, under control) for next season. A little-discussed issue is starting depth. With Garcia out of the picture following TJ surgery, the Cardinals have Mitch Boggs as their only fallback. The situation projects much like 2007. Barring a newfound embrace of Brad Thompson, it's likely the club will seek a veteran swingman this winter.