Greg: Thanks for keeping us up to date all season. It's a sad time of year when the weekly tsunami disappears into the only frequent tsunami. What do the people in charge (BDJ, TLR, Duncan, Mo) feel about Carp? I know they are waiting to hear the next opinion from the latest specialist, but how done is he? Miss a few months? Miss part of next season, or all? Career threatening? Thanks.

Joe Strauss: The club made it a talking point to dispute Carpenter's injury as "career-threatening." Interesting, however, that the details of his condition are not in dispute. Carpenter turns 34 next season. His next surgery will be his sixth and involve nerves. I was told, by definition, this is career-threatening. The club chooses to argue semantics. I think everyone hopes Carpenter is healthy again next spring. He's an anchor for this staff and his entire clubhouse. But to trivialize his condition is inaccurate.

Griff21: How about a name we haven't heard in a long time... Juan Encarnacion( its been so long i forgot how to spell it!) I felt so bad for the guy , such a freak injury to jeopardize his sight/ career. it almost seems like the team, media has abandoned him, I never hear anything about his recovery. Even if he never plays again he was a steady player& helped us win .
updates?

Joe Strauss: The media have not abandoned Juan. Rather, Juan has quarantined himself from media. He has repeatedly declined interview requests while in Boston, South Florida or the Dominican Republic. His vision has improved slightly but will never allow him to resume his career. The hope was that he could regain enough vision in his eye to again drive a car. I may be traveling to the Caribbean this winter. If so, finding Juan E. will be on my itinerary. He is a quiet guy who had a soft sense of humor. I miss him.

Griff21: we "owe " izzy another shot? after this season does he warrant anything more than maybe a non roster invitee ?

Joe Strauss: The Cardinals may "owe" it to themselves if they can acquire a potential closer or 9th inning insurance for an incentive-laden one-year deal. Moves can't be viewed in isolation... especially this winter.

jealousblues: "General manager John Mozeliak accompanied the team on the final two legs of the three-city trip and witnessed an attack compromised by several key injuries. The resulting exposure of numerous September call-ups suggested to Mozeliak that organizational depth might be more of a problem than first believed.

"When you look at who we've lost, how the recent games have been played and the type of energy we've seen, I think it's clear we no longer have the answers to the injuries," Mozeliak said. "I think there has to be a question of how we improve our depth." "

Does this mean Mo has lost some faith in the players in the system, or just the ones they called up this year?
it seems to me some of the more talented ones didnt get the call this year in favor of others, who might have earned it but might have less talent.

say Stavy vrs Rasmus
Barden vrs Freese
Johnson vrs Anderson


Also do we likely have any pitchers that have a shot at call ups next year or anything that would have a shot at the rotation (not that Garcia is out)?

I know Todd and Mortenson are young and probably need AAA time, but is there anythign else down there other than the Parisi's and the Boggs'?

Joe Strauss: First of all, I must say you cite a very well-written article. (Blush.) As explained before, Rasmus, Freese and Anderson were not promoted for reasons of injury, minor-league service time, or lack of projecting playing time. Raz' will receive much exposure next spring (if not dealt first). Freese is an intriguing guy but remains squeezed by Glaus and Wallace. The Cardinals may have to deal Anderson unless they are willing to commit to him as Molina's backup next season. (I believe an attempt will be made to re-sign LaRue.)

cards27: Are the Cards more likely to acquire an upgrade at 2B or SS for next season. Personally, I'd love to see Rafael Furcal here, although I understand he has been injured. He'd be a legitimate fast, base-stealing leadoff guy and I wouldn't hate seeing a fight between Lopez and Miles at 2B for next season so long as we had a guy like Furcal at SS. Are we only talking about a 2B? I know there's a lot of Hudson talk but looking at him, his career stats are the same as Furcal's without nearly as many SB's. Wouldn't it make more sense to acquire a SS and allow Miles/Lopez to give a little offense at 2B instead of being content with Izturis' great defense and light hitting?

Joe Strauss: You make a solid point. The remaining question is whether the Cardinals would be satisfied with their 2B defense.