Joe Strauss: Sorry for the delay. But the Tsunami is coming to you today from a replacement computer that had not been coded to the exacting JSL!!! specs. I'm sure you understand. That said, there's an overwhelming number of questions, comments and the predictable homage for the ChatMeister, especially given the short notice. General Managers meetings open in Chicago on Sunday and the off season's tempo will officially begin. As many of you are aware, the club has released reliever Brad Thompson and outrighted infielder Joe Thurston and reliever Matt Scherer off the 40-man roster. Here's comes the wave. Time to jump on the board and go for a ride. Remember, no boogie boarders allowed. This is full contact chat!!!

kat89447: Hi Joe,
With the low chance of retaining Holliday, wouldn't it be a better idea to maybe put the money in DeRo and then some pitching? It seems that between DeRo, Skip and Freese we could cover LF, 3rd and 2nd with Lugo being in the mix and maybe Tyler Greene to help? If we can't find one heavy bat behind Albert, maybe lots of contact hitters instead. More of a "Whitey Ball" type of player. We are never going to have a strong enough bat to go behind Albert so maybe some speed instead?

Joe Strauss: Holliday has yet to file for free agency and pessimism grows surrounding his return to St. Louis. The ChatMeister is among those who have dialed down expectations on retaning Holliday, but it's impossible to rule it out given that his market has yet to take shape. The Cardinals need a power presence behind Pujols. Beyond Jason Bay, there are few alternatives to Holliday in this year's free agent market. Chairman Bill DeWitt recently denied that the club has made Holliday an offer; however, there are suggestions that the Cardinals discussed a 6-year, $96 million framework with Holliday's agent, Scott Boras. That, obviously, is nowhere near the "Teixeira money" (8 years, $180 million) that Boras was talking about during the NLCS. GM John Mozeliak is on record as saying David Freese deserves first crack at third base. De Rosa is coming off wrist surgery. He will also be seeking an everyday gig. The Cardinals could presumably offer him left field with the possibility of a move to third base if Fresse doesn't work out. But that still leaves the Cardinals short offensively. As for your speed suggestion, the Cardinals aren't equipped to play that game, not when El Hombre is your leading base-stealer. A guy like Xavier Nady represents a second-tier option in left field; however, without Holliday, the Cardinals would appear heavily dependent on Colby Rasmus maturing and Ryan Ludwick enjoying a 2008-type season. Thanks for the question.

Steve: I have heard rumors about Adam Dunn to the cards if Holliday doesn't come back what would the cards have to give to the Nationals in return and what would be the better deal Dunn or Holliday?

Joe Strauss: The Washington Nationals' signing of Adam Dunn to a 2-year, $20 million deal last winter ranked as one of the most bizarre of the off-season. The Nationals are unlikely to contend in Dunn's lifetime, much less during the term of his deal. With a new GM on board, perhaps the Nats will move to spread payroll to address more needs than to attract fans with a sideshow. Dunn is due $12 million next season. In some ways he is a lefthanded McGwire, a power figure who strikes out a lot but also could improve by narrowing his strike zone. Yes, he is a brutal fielder. But the Cardinals have made concessions in left field before. Short of salary relief, it is debateable what the Cardinals can offer for a player of Dunn's magnitude. As Baseball America will confirm in upcoming weeks, the farm system is badly depleted and does not project an everyday position player. The Cardinals are in a tough predicament. My opinion is that Holliday is the better option. But tying him up for 7 or 8 years also poses problems with payroll flexibility.

hugeCardfan: Joe, how close is your ear to the ground? Any rumblings on FO offers to Holliday? I would think by now Boras' speed-dial is revved up to warp speed even as he hopes we'll bid against ourselves a couple times before the Yankees and Sox are even brought on board.

Mo had to know that it would eventually come to this for a real accounting whether that trade was a net positive. It's hard to write off Wallace et al for a three and out postseason. On the other hand, it's probably better to want a contract badly than to want a bad contract. Glad I'm not Mo right now.

Huge

Joe Strauss: Mo' deserves consideration for MLB Exec. of the Year. But last season's moves will quickly receive scrutiny should Holliday and De Rosa bolt.
Consider:
Luke Gregerson (and Mark Worrell) for Khalil Greene (now a free agent).
Chris Perez and Jess Todd for De Rosa (now a free agent).
Wallace, Clayton Mortensen and Shane Peterson for Holliday (now a free agent).
The Cardinals also lost Luis Perdomo (their return for Anthony Reyes) to last December's Rule 5 draft in order to protect Scherer, who never reached St. Louis this season before being outrighted off the 40-man this week.
Gregerson enjoyed one of the most underrated seasons by any NL rookie pitcher this season. Perez seemed to find his footing in Cleveland. We'll see about the Oakland trio. Whether these guys pan out or not, their absence saps the organization of significant trade leverage.
The Cardinals went all in on this season, making their Division Series wipeout all the more painful.

CSWest: Hello Mr. Strauss,

Scoring runs was clearly an issue in 2009. However, I'm not sure what the Cardinals would and should be looking at to help address the issue.

If you were running the Cardinals, what would you be looking for? Speed? A high OBP guy? A more consistent hitter that isn't streaky? Or is it something else? Thanks.

Joe Strauss: Since you asked...
Albert Pujols would become my cleanup hitter behind Schumaker, Rasmus and a No. 3 hitter currently not on the roster. Ryan Ludwick as a No. 5 is OK if he's supported by a competent No. 6. Yadier Molina has made tremendous strides offensively but should not be seen above No. 7. As Rasmus develops, he could slot into the No. 5 or No. 6 role. As he develops, Brendan Ryan could fit as a No. 2 guy. Most of you probably agree with me that as currently constituted the Cardinals are not a power team. Their lineup misses what Troy Glaus provided in 2008. Another LH bat with at least gap power would help this team's balance. At one time some believed Rick Ankiel might be taht guy. That no longer appears likely.
The Cardinals scored runs last season; they just scored them inconsistently. Another No. 3-type bat might diminish the "python" nature of their attack.