OBIE 1975: Chatmeister: The natives are very restless for some good news. Declining arbitration to Looper leaves the SP precarious at best with only 3 proven starters (Carp would be a bonus but we can't count on his health). How are we to run down the cubs or are we relegated to the second division again?

Joe Strauss: The Cardinals are frankly poorly positioned to make a run at the Cubs next season barring several significant acquisitions. The better question is how far removed the Cardinals are from running down a Sheet-less, Sabathia-less Milwaukee Brewers team and a Houston Astros club apparently feeling some serious financial cramps. The Cardinals won 86 games with a porous bullpen and several significant late-season injuries. It's not unrealistic to think the market offers them a chance for a 5-game improvement, which may be enough to achieve a wild card.

redbirdswin: Wonderful to have you back, Joe!

I'm not expecting Carp to produce right away (if at all) - So do the Cards have legitimate interest in Randy Wolf to shore up the starting rotation? If not, who are the targets for potential 5th starter types? Penny? Jennings?

Joe Strauss: Wolf and Penny are legitimate options advocated by several influential members of the organization. A one-year deal may make Penny more "doable," though Mo' said after last season that he is wary of again relying on pitchers with questionable health histories. Unfortunately, "low-hanging fruit" typically comes with bruises.

cashmoney655: Hey Joe,

What's up with the Birds not offering arb to Springer?? How much would he really stand to make in arbitration? If he were to decline, then we'd get a pick from whoever signs him right? If he accepts we have our most reliable reliever from last years mediocre bullpen. Where's the downside to this? Sure we have a lot of RH relievers but that creates competition which is never a bad thing. Thanks for the chat!

Joe Strauss: Springer would have accepted... and been virtually guaranteed a '09 salary of $4M-plus.

Steve from Carbondale: Joe,

Tell me we're going to get to see Rasmus at the start of this year. The anticipation is killing me! Also, do you know about Colby's demeanor? Is the rift between Colby and La Russa legit?

Joe Strauss: Mo' is pimping Raz' for next season's Opening Day roster, which only fuels speculation about a trade (or two) involving outfielders. Rasmus was crushed by his failure to make the O.Day roster last March and the negatives snowballed from there. My understanding is that he is much improved physically. TLR insists suggestions of Rasmus taking up residence in the manager's double-wide doghouse are erroneous. We will see. The manager has a long memory. Postings by Rasmus family members that TLR was about to do to Colby what Dave Duncan did to Anthony Reyes left some deep scars.

Brett: El Diablo, great to hear from you again! I have a question about the Cards and their search for an Impact bat. Does TLR still want one? And do you think Mo will get us one? Albert needs some REAL protection.

Joe Strauss: Does TLR still want one? Absolutely. Will Mo' get one? Doubtful. Some within the organization would remind you that the Cardinals were the only NL team to have multiple Silver Slugger winners (El Hombre, Ludwick), ranked fourth in runs scored, had a 3B (Glaus) finish within a wisp of 100 RBI, had a catcher (Molina) bat .300 and a CF hit .300 in more than 500 AB, and a CF (Ankiel) tracking for 40 home runs before suffering a sports hernia. They also sieze on TLR's suggestion that Chris Duncan's return to health could add another bat to the lineup's core. Doesn't sound like a priority to me, especially after the club blinked on Holliday.