bwhitt: JSL!!!!!! My favorite mid-week moment! It's my first time riding the tsunami, but i'd really like to know your opinion on the Colby situation. I know a lot has been said, by various people leading to rumors of trade and frustrations on both sides. My questions: Has the situation been blown out of proportion? Was the team minimizing his injury by having him play the end of the minor league season or are they blowing it out of proportion by using that as one reason to not call him up for a taste of the bigs? Is Colby's decision to not play winter ball a middle finger towards the organization? And what about his dad? Is he feeding bs to Colby? JSl!!!!! I just want the truth!!!!!

Joe Strauss: YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!!!

Seriously, many believe Raz' just needs to be left alone. His decision to skip winter ball chafed some within the organization but others, including Jeff Luhnow, recently said he respects where Raz' is coming from. This was a very trying season for Rasmus from the outset. His injury isn't being blown out of proportion. I can't speak to the "middle finger" comment. However, the combination of Tony Rasmus' Internet postings and Raz' decision makes it an easy leap for some folks to draw the "middle finger" conclusion.

redbirdswin: Is there any indication that Tyler Johnson will be ready for Spring Training heading into next season?

Joe Strauss: TJ has not yet begun a throwing program. He's coming back from a rotator cuff procedure. He's arbitration-eligible as well. For a variety of reasons, Johnson's tenure with the club is uncertain.

Tom: Oh wise Chatmeister,

It seems like everything I read online these days say that the Cards are the frontrunners to sign K-Rod. Your thoughts?

Thanks,

tom

Joe Strauss: That falls under the 80 percent of Internet postings that is politely described as total speculation.

Vince: I'm used to riding the east coast surf here in New Jersey, but I'd like to try the midwest tsunami since I'm a big fan and weekly reader. Does the front office realize their prospective rotation (Carp, Waino, Welly, and Pineiro) is a rotation built on sand? None of them has made it through 2008 in one piece, so how can they count on them for 2009? Is there really as much lack of interest in re-signing Lohse or Looper as there appears to be? Do they see the value in someone who takes the ball every five days and racks up 30 starts and 200+ innings at a quality level? I realize Lohse may price himself out of our range, but have they tried with Looper? Neither has Carp-like stuff, but unlike Carp, they are able to actually pitch.

Joe Strauss: I addressed Loop vs. Lohse earlier. Your point is well taken about the physical (in)stability within the rotation.

redneckburd72: Hello Joe, I was wondering a few more specifics on the surgery that Phat Albert would be having as far as the recovery time and when he will be shut down to provide for plenty of recovery time for the 2009 season. It seems that at this point ANY surgeries that would be warranted for availability for next season. Also I would like to say that I'm VERY excited about the amount of great young talent that we have seen from the minors so far.That being said...doesn't prudence dictate that we should fulfill our needs via trade rather than paying FOOLISH amounts of money for free agents. I'm hopeful that we can be very competitive and reward these players for being in the organization.I have no problem with the organization being "frugal" to a degree as long as they spend the money on player development instead of a player that breaks down after a season or two.I appreciate ANY insight and say THANK YOU.

Joe Strauss: The club believes the chances of an El Hombre surgery minimal this winter.