crawfordc1: Dont you think Troy Glaus is playing as if the season is over and therefore
he neednt try?

He seems to be a lazy athelete. Surely his salary alone should be enough
to make him feel obligated to spend a little energy.

Joe Strauss: I wouldn't question Glaus' motivation. It is more fair to question his health. He's played with shoulder soreness for more than a month and it shows at times. He's on the short list for a Gold Glove this season. Like several of his teammates, he's hit a wall physically.

BGCARDFAN: May the wave of the tsunami roar forth until the final ripple brings us back home again.

Joe, have you guys been discussing what this future purchase of the Redbirds means for the Cards? Obviously the terms of said deal aren't complete, but any thoughts on how this might affect the Cards in the short term as far team payroll or will this not be factored into the parent clubs plans?

And Mo's comments earlier this week about OF depth and it's needing to be addressed.... was he making a veiled statement about possibily not agreeing with some internally about the evaluations of talent in the system or just making a straight forward statement concerning that talent?

Joe Strauss: I expect the Cardinals will purchase the Memphis Redbirds within the next couple months. That said, I honestly don't know how it affects the overall bottom line because I'm not certain how the sale will address AutoZone Park, which currently straps the Redbirds financially. I'm rather confident Cardinals ownership is not going to cripple itself with such a buy, however.
As for Mo's comments, it might be safe to construe them as an admission that the system is not ready to offer a pipeline of position players to the big club. Joe Mather is an intriguing extra outfielder. But I have otherwise heard little commitment toward any other unproven talent for '09.
As stated here before, there is a significant faction within the club that believes the system is being overhyped.

BradV: Oh great Chatmeister.... How come Kinney doesn't come up in any discussions about a possible closer next season. With his multiple pitches, and his ability to throw strikes, shouldn't he at least be given a shot at it in spring training next year?

Joe Strauss: Kinney is a pitch-maker, not a hard thrower. There's a natural bias against guys who don't throw gas for that role. That said, Kinney has to rate as one of the month's most pleasant surprises. He's looked good every time TLR has handed him the ball. Even more significant, Kinney insists he is recovering well after every appearance. Motte, Perez, Kinney, McClellan, Thompson and Franklin provide a solid RH base for next year's bullpen. Frankly, there are too many names unless McClellan is projected as the previously described "swing man" within a Cazp-less rotation. And that doesn't include interest in retaining Russ Springer and perhaps Jason Isringhausen. Look for the bullpen to be a bargaining chip in trade talks in addition to the outfield.

BradV: This may be a little premature (very little), but how many more seasons like the first 8, do you think El Hombre needs in order to be a lock for the Hall of Fame? He's already accomplished what no other player in the history of baseball has (which is unbelievable). Don't you think 10 seasons would make him a lock?

Joe Strauss: Yes, I do. But confining El Hombre to 10 seasons would suggest a premature end to his career, which nobody wants to see. There are many who believe Albert would be viewed as one of the 10 greatest hitters all-time if he enjoys a 16-18 year career. His consistency is remarkable.

TechnoPhobia: Great tsunami-master, how will I make it through the long fall and winter without my weekly surf at high tide on Wednesdays? I know that the Cardinals do have a little more payroll flexiblity this next year, but (by my count) we need 2 starters (in case Carp is slow or unable to come back), 2 lefty relievers, a veteran closer to hold down the fort for part or all of next season, a SS, a 2B, a backup for Albert, plus another right-handed impact bat. That is a lot to buy with $30 million but I don't see the Cardinals filling all their needs internally. Do you think that they might actually cut corners by offering Izzy an incentive-laden contract, and do you think he might accept an offer from them? A healthy Izzy could be a tremendous asset at fairly low cost, compared to the ~$10 million plus that a good closer can command on the FA market. Finally, is there any chance that you can sustain our periodic addiction for information by doing a JSL!!! once a month during the off-season? Please say YES!

Joe Strauss: Diagnosing the team's needs is fairly simple. Prioritizing them and determining whether they are best addressed via trade or free agency is the elephant in the room. Isringhausen does represent value. He would like to return here and the club is going to approach him shortly after the season to gauge how that might translate in dollars and structure. A one-year arrangement would work perfectly as Perez is eased into the role. There is a desire among some quarters to pursue Brian Fuentes. However, it's difficult to envision how the club can commit such a substantial chunk of money to a closer given its needs in the rotation.
As for your more important question: I'm sure JSL!!! will resurface periodically. Mo' may also make a guest appearance if he so desires. Again, a lot of it is determined by reader interest.
Caution: A wet suit is a must for riding the Tsunami in winter time.