J.Brad: Herr Chatmeister,
a.k.a. Senor tsunami,

Geez. What happened? This is the same Cardinals team that took two outta three from the Bosox and from the Rays? I'm hurting over here because I really let myself believe in this team. I saw guys diving for balls and taking the extra base and picking each other up all season long. I don't think it's any one certain person's fault or even any certain component of the team (offense, bullpen, management, etc...), but I do wish some type of move had been made by the G.M. to reaffirm to the players that the front office wanted to win as bad as the players.
My question, Senor Tsunami, is where is the NUMBER ONE area the Cardinals need to improve for 09? My opinion is: more offense to back up Albert.
What say you?
J. Brad in TN.

Joe Strauss: The manager would agree with you. JSL!!! believes it essential to fortify the pitching staff. At least one more starter, a proven LH reliever and a swing man are necessities. There is a need to upgrade the bench in addition to finding that elusive "impact" bat. Molina, Glaus and Albert are diminished physically right now. Ludwick is gassed. Ankiel is out with surgery. In other words, more than 60 percent of your starting lineup is limping to the finish line. Check the '04 and '05 teams. Greater depth allowed them to overcome injuries.

kat89447: Is it time for TLR and Dave Duncan to move on and bring in some new thinking? I think they have done a great job, and I am not a fan of TLR, but maybe its time for some new blood. If TLR and Dave Duncan retire/move on, will the club change what they look for in the off season? It seems to me that you would have to stop looking for what Dave and TLR can fix from the used up file, and are forced to find a different type of quality in a pitcher when you don't have the wonder duo. It would be nice to have pitchers that don't need a lot of work, even with the low amount of great fAs this year I am sure we could find something.

Joe Strauss: I don't follow your logic. Duncan works from the "used-up" file because the organization chooses to seek "value" in the market rather than engage in bidding wars for premium free agents. Look at what pitchers receive entering the organization compared to what they command leaving it. Duncan and bullpen coach Marty Mason have added significant value to a number of arms (Suppan, Marquis, Looper, Wellemeyer, Williams, Carpenter, etc.). Obviously, players' talent is the most significant ingredient. But to dismiss the value of Duncan/Mason is wrong. Your beef may be more with ownership than Duncan and TLR.

BGCARDFAN: As always .. Thanks again for these chats.

What if anything has been said about the Card's plan for testing Carp's shoulder and/or determining his readiness for next year?

Any internal musings beyond Tony's comment on the possibility of at least offering Izzy a shot next year?

And one more .... why does it seem like the payroll target for next year has been lowerd when they've met their self described standard of 3.2 mil fans that could have sent payroll as high as $110-115 mil this year and even higher for the right guy? ....in DeWitt's words.

Joe Strauss: Always a pleasure to address a controversial All-Star from the StlToday.com chat boards. The organization is flying blind regarding Carpenter. There is uncertainty any time a nerve issue is involved. Since this is the second nerve problem Carpenter has endured in four years, it's not to be trivialized. We should know more by early next week. If not, there's plenty of reason for concern. Once bonuses and player additions are factored, this year's payroll will probably be closer to $107M than $100M. Money wasn't the issue at the trade deadline. Surrendering young talent was the insurmountable hurdle.

STL5#1: Hello El Diablo!

Okay, quick to the point. Mo has promised that the Cards will be aggresive
in the off-season to fill some of their holes, either thru trade or free agency. Gotta ask, is he serious or is he hoping that we're all drinking the DeWitt kool-aid and thus will believe another hype job. Are they willing to stick both feet in the fire and really aggresively pursue a top free agent(s)? I don't want to hear how they made a "competitive offer", but the market is just crazy and the other teams are just out of control. If you're after a player other teams want, you have to be willing to go above and beyond "competitive". Offering a 3 year deal when others are offering 4 & 5, and offering less money, hoping the player will give you a "discount" because he wants to play in St. Louis... those kind of offers are just a bunch of hype to try and snow us into believing that they're trying. DeWitt said that he needed the new ball park to bring in additional revenues so he could continue to invest in the team and keep it on top. Well, it's time to put up or shut up. There's a lot of contracts coming off the books, so there's money to spend. Joe, do you think they'll really do what it takes to make us a winner again?

Joe Strauss: Many were struck by Mozeliak's willingness to stick it out there on the record. If the club does not make significant moves this offseason, I believe it will have serious ramifications among the fan base. I think the organization believes that as well. The club is very sensitive to attendance. With about $40M coming off the books (translating to about $30M in freed salary when raises to current players are factored), I would expect ownership to spread the money among a handful of needs rather than going over the top for a signature player. Carpenter, Pujols and Glaus are due a combined $41.25M next season. I don't envision the club throwing another $10M-plus salary on top of that.

Don Nahnsen: Hi Joe-

Love your column and candid insight. I KNOW you are not a betting man but what kind of odds would you give on Chris Carpenter being healthy enough to open the 2009 season in the Rotation? Does his set-back change the Cardinal winter shopping list?

Thank-you

Don

Joe Strauss: I'm still drinking the Cardinals Kool-Aid that Carp' will open next season. (Call it 75 percent.) But the next week or so could change that forecast. Carp has required two shoulder surgeries, two elbow surgeries, suffered a muscle strain and been sidelined by two nerve conditions in his pitching arm in the last five years. The club hustled his return this summer. Make your own judgments.