Joe Strauss: All right, everybody back up for some December hardball with the ChatMeister. The demands of work necessitated a week in Puerto Rico with another trip to Las Vegas scheduled to begin Friday. But in the midst of such an incessant grind we're working in a brief ride on The Tsunami to update and project what's going on with St. Louis favorite and, for some of you, most vexing franchise. We may be returning for more on-site chat from the Winter Meetings next week, but the decision will be made based on your input (register thoughts at Cards Talk, my e-mail or with the bosses). Last December's chat created a record Tsunami, so the motivation is there. Enough talk, let's ride.

THEblindhomer: Need the 411 Joe.

Everyone understands why Izzy was not offered arbitration.

Most everyone understands why Springer was not offered arbitration (over $4mil for a righty in the pen with Perez, Motte, Kinney & Franklin already there?)

But what about Looper? Seems that in a reasonable market, he should be considered a viable 5th slot guy for another club on a multi-year deal. Seems he would be an acceptable rotation safety net for one year for the Cardinals should he accept arby, even given the arby increase.

So what gives? Do the Cardinals have something in the works that would preclude them from offering arby to Looper?

Something more sinister?

Joe Strauss: Good to hear from Blindhomer, a frequent critic of the ChatMeister who weighs in with a question shared by many. Looper earned a $5.5M base last season plus appearance incentives that make it highly likely he would command at least $8-$9M if he accepted an offer of arbitration. Within an uncertain market complicated by a plummeting economy, he may have been advised to take the guaranteed money. By doing so, Looper would have given the Cardinals uncertain rotation more depth, but it also would have cut into the club's financial flexibility as it retools its middle infield and the left side of its bullpen. The Cardinals aren't the only club to be cautious with arbitration. A pitcher such as Randy Wolf (potential target) was also refused arbitration. Looper was surprised as well.

MOSportsFan: Joe,

Our Great Baseball Wizard, can you please tell us what the Cardinals are going to do to improve this club?

If I had to bet, my feeling is the organization's ideal off-season would be to sign a "cheaper" shortstop like Renteria, add a good LHRP, sign a scrap heap starting pitcher and resign Felipe Lopez.

If you were just a Cardinals fan and not a sportswriter, would you be satisfied with that scenario?

Joe Strauss: Renteria reportedly is close to signing with the Giants. It remains to be seen if the Cardinals will compete with the Cincinnati Reds to secure Arthur Rhodes as a LH specialist. A source informed me last week that Rhodes would prefer to pitch in St. Louis if the terms are close; however, the Reds are apparently becoming very aggressive. Funny you mention Flip Lopez... He's apparently seeking a multi-year deal which scares the Cardinals. His defense is a question and his track record suggests Lopez wears out his welcome after an extended stay in the same clubhouse. That said, most media found him cooperative this year and he showed a willingness to work with Jose Oquendo on his defense. There is a scenario where the Cardinals go for cheap defense at SS (Think: Adam Everett), then role the dice defensive at second. That would work in Lopez' favor. The Cardinals require multiple LH relievers. They may also learn later this week that they require more insurance for the starting rotation. Ryan Ludwick remains in play for a significant trade, though the club would rather not confirm it.
I believe fans should take note of what is done to support the rotation and give the club a viable closer option. If those needs aren't addressed, you have my permission to become concerned.

dave cobler: Good afternoon Joe, it is great to chat with you today;

Thank you for being here for us fans and for taking my question, which is;

By not offering salary arbitration to Looper and Springer it appears that Mo is putting money back to give him leverage to acquire a marque player or two. Is there a potential big bird on the radar that Mo is targeting or is he just saving his ammuntion to go to a field where their are birds galore to hunt because they are being pushed out of their nest due to the effects that the economy may offer him? Who might be the marque player(s) and who are the birds that may be pushed out of the nest that Mo might be hopeful to nab that would qualify as a successful hunting trip?

THANK YOU!

Joe Strauss: Good question. The Cardinals refuse to confirm interest in big fish free agents but it is believed they may be a "mystery team" in the Rafael Furcal Sweepstakes. Such a move would obviously counter an Everett-Lopez sort of middle infield, and there is still suspicion the Cardinals could get involved for Atlanta Braves SS Yunel Escobar or 2B Kelly Johnson. The Cardinals appear comfortable waiting for the market to sort itself out. They are more interested in short-term fixes for the rotation and closer, which may argue in favor of bringing Jason Isringhausen back for an incentive-laden Farewell Tour. The Trever Miller odyssey appears more complicated by the day, with Mo admitting earlier this week that the situation is in limbo. Mo hoped to have something done by Thanksgiving. My hunch is he'll move on a LH reliever within the next week.

GSW: Chatmeister!

Welcome back - Mizzou hoops can be entertaining, but it just ain't the Cards! A couple of queries while the tsunami hangs frozen (literally) over our heads . . .

Obvious question: How much did the Cards think Looper would command in arbitration to make the sandwich pick not worth the risk?

Less obvious question: I've heard several times about backroom deals between club and player to offer arbitration with the understanding that it won't be accepted. Couldn't Mo have worked this deal with Looper and/or Izzy?

Pick of the week: As a MU alum and long-suffering fan, I appreciate but question your prediction for Saturday's game. The only ways MU hold the Sooners below 50 are a) Bradford can't play, b) Stoops calls off the dogs early because he's already in the championship game, or c) the Tigers switch defenses with Alabama.

As always, you da man.

Joe Strauss: Addressed some of this earlier but...
Market uncertainty tends to invalidate some of these "gentlemen's agreements" that you accurately speak of. Plus, Looper would have brought the Cardinals only a supplemental draft pick, not exactly a persuasive swap had he accepted arbitration.
Though I'm often labeled an anti-Mizzou, SEC honk, I give El Tigres a solid chance at covering Saturday's inflated spread. OU has defensive questions of its own and Bradford's injured hand could become a complicating factor in what are expected to be frigid conditions. I think the spread is out of line with the team's relative strengths, though I give Mizzou little chance of winning outright.