Joe Strauss: Sorry we're late but now that we're here, Joe Strauss Live!!! is prepared to strap in for the next 90-100 minutes for some season-ending chat/critique/rippage/needling/question-answering. It's a sad day, I know, since no one is certain when the Tsunami will next roll in. So let's cut to the big swell and tackle as many issues as possible before the tide goes out again. Let's hear it: Carpenter, looking back, looking forward, your opinions about what you've seen... it's all on the board this weekend. Let's Get It On!!!

Bob Huber: Joseph Strauss: I personnaly would like to thank you for your accurate and well thought out Cardinal reporting. I hope your long and well deserved windfall or jack as you like to call it heads your way soon.

I am a longtime St. Louisan and Cardinal fan currently living in the Chicago area. It has been tough to take the Cardinals this and last season in the end. Watching an overachieving team for most of the season fade has been a disapointment to say the least. I believe Mo has his biggest challenge ahead of him in acquiring the pieces needed to allow us to compete with the Cubs. Let me repeat "compete with the Cubs" that should be all the motivation any Cardinal owner, GM, Manager, or fan would need. My question is do you believe the Cardinal organization has the ----- to make the big acquistions and trades to really put this team back on top. My MLB package renewal will be on hold pending the Cardinals ownerships moves this offseason. Your welcome to use any word of your choosing to fill in the blanks.

Joe Strauss: Thanks for your best wishes, but a dividend check based on recent "investment" advice would be even more appreciated. You speak for many within the fan base, Bob. A season of early surprises is ending with many disenchanted by a crush of injuries accompanied by inactivity at the trade deadline and a September fade. The manager has made clear his desire for an aggressive winter and the general manager has publicly committed to such a course. How Bill DeWitt and John Mozeliak put words into action is an unknown. This team has clear needs in the rotation, bullpen, middle infield and in the middle of the batting order. How the club spreads $30-$35 million among those needs is no small trick. Don't stop with competing against the Cubs. This year has shown the Cardinals need to address the Brewers, Astros, and don't look now, the Reds.
You leave a five-letter word for me to complete. I don't think you mean "m-o-n-e-y" either.
The key word this winter will be "c-r-e-a-t-i-v-i-t-y." Listen for it.

Brett: With Carp's staus uncertain, will the Cards go after an ace this winter?

Joe Strauss: A true ace costs at least $15 million per season, and that's being conservative. The club will project Adam Wainwright as its ace with Wellemeyer and Pineiro slotted as Nos. 4-5 guys. That leaves vacancies for a No. 2 or 3 and, my guess, a swing guy since the club is not going to write off Carpenter unless it becomes apparent is nerve condition is career-ending rather than career-threatening. I don't believe the Cardinals will make a play for Sabathia. Burnett may be too pricy given the club's remaining needs. Barring a trade, signing Lohse/Looper/Derek Lowe plus adding a lower-cost arm for insurance appears more likely. Pineiro must be projected as part of next year's rotation unless the club decides to eat part of his salary in a trade.

mjdelpe: Joe: Had a great summer riding the Tsunami!! The wave is just about ready to hit the beach for this year !! How'er we gonna make it thru the winter? Need you to step up and create a new JSL!! for the Hot Stove League, especially since this off-season is going to be so important to us fans this year.

My question/comment is about the TLR/Duncan dynasty. 13 years with one team is a long time and there has been a whole lot of positive/negative comments about the success/failures of the Dynamic Duo over the years. What kind of statement is Tony trying to make these last few games? None of the kids are playing, light hitting middle infielders playing all over the place, 162 game schedule with 152 different lineups, etc, etc.

I know TLR is signed thru 2009 and, evidently, PaPa Dunc is ready to up again. If we "endure" (after 13 years, that's how I see it) another year of this in '09, what about 2010? I'm ready for a change back to Baseball Manager 101. What about you? What about the FO? Is TLR gong to be the Manager of Choice as long as he wants to? Am I the only one who believes the time is right to thank Tony for all he has contributed to STL Baseball as we bid him adieu? Your thoughts.

Joe Strauss: A number of fans (and media) have wondered about the "unique" lineups posted in the last two weeks. Some construe seeing Miles or Kennedy in the outfield as a "statement" about players such as Stavinoha or Barton. Tony says he is seeking favorable offensive matchups while rolling the dice defensively, though it may be fair to wonder if there is a subtle message being sent about the younger OF's defense. I know 13 years is a long time. Only Bobby Cox has outlasted TLR with his current team. Barring irreconcilable differences with the front office, I believe TLR managers here as long as he wishes. If you're predisposed not to like Tony, then your comments are to be expected. If you like his work, you applaud him for keeping a transitional team in contention for five months. I don't agree with everything that's gone down. I would have preferred to see more of Motte and Kinney than a worn down Kyle McClellan. If Barton is part of the team's future, a few more at-bats would be fine. Tony is sensitive to veteran players. Troy Glaus is getting his chance to make a run at 100 RBI. Albert is going for a 30-100-100-100 season. The team has a decision to make on Felipe Lopez. Kennedy wants out and should be given playing time in an 11th-hour attempt to regain some trade value. Ludwick is putting the cherry on a career year. The larger statement may concern the club's lacking depth, a message Mo' apparently got on the last road trip.

Hilton Head Matt: Joe:
Long time Card fan now living in South Carolina. I have been sitting down here thinking I was going to watch the Cards in October. Boy was I wrong. But, they still had an exciting year and credit must go to LaRussa for doing a heck of a job.

Here are my thoughts for 2009. By either trade or free agency they must acquire a stud pitcher because we cannot count on Carp as being a factor. Even if he is we still need another stud. I am thinking about Roy Halladay, Brad Penney or a Chris Young. Even some of the younger studs that would not cost as much. I doubt if Halladay will be available, but you can dream.

They need more offense in the middle infield. I could live with Izturis if they get a power bat at second. Izturis is great defensively and he is ok at bat. I would not consider Renteria because he is over the hill and has been on three different teams in three years, something is wrong there. I think the players they should consider for these two positions are Kinsler of Texas, Lopez or Betancourt of Seattle, Peralta of Cleveland or Hudson of Arizona. We will have to trade either Ankiel or Ludwick and some prospects, maybe even Ramus.

They realize that the bullpen needs fixing, but a lefthander or two would solve that problem.

Do you think they would consider moving Glaus and letting one of the kids take over at third? I feel a little innovation and risk taking would not hurt because this team has a way to go to catch the Cubs, Brewers and Astros in overall talent.

Thanks for the great job you do the entire season.

Matt

Joe Strauss: Your Castro-length post is way too long but the ChatMeister will grant an exception because your points are interesting and you're from Hilton Head.

Point by Point:

1. I don't think it necessary to eliminate Carpenter from the '09 equation. I do think it important to find "insurance" to go along with another significant pitching acquisition. Any trade for a significant arm would require parting with a Rasmus, Motte or Perez, something the club has so far refused to do.
2. There is sentiment within the organizationa that Izturis fits if an impact bat can be found at second base. (Kelly Johnson?)
3. Your points about Renteria and Glaus are intriguing. If the Cardinals desire more financial flexibility, they could make Glaus available and go for a cheaper, perhaps "creative" short-term alternative at third base (Renteria?) while waiting for Wallace to move through the system. I'm convinced at least one, likely two outfielders will be dealt this winter. Duncan, Rasmus, Schumaker and Ankiel could be in play; however, Duncan and Ankiel's questionable health complicate any potential move. Duncan and Ankiel also are cost-effective. For that matter, so are Ras' and Schu'. There does exist willingness within the club to "blow up" the outfield if the right impact bat could be found. (Manny Ramirez?) No concrete plan is yet in place. It should be formalized in the next 7-10 days. Fair to say, this winter is going to be an extremely intriguing time.