Joe Strauss: Folks: This is from Mike Smith. Joe is having technical difficulties on his end. We're attempting to get the chat started, so don't give up on us yet. Thanks.

-- mike smith

Joe Strauss: Sorry I'm late for this. I went to the wrong Tsunami and began answering questions posted for tomorrow's go-round. Oh, the humanity!!! Without further excuse-making, let's dive into today's rising Tsunami as the Cardinals continue to use their outfield depth to trawl for pitching depth. As a bonus, JSL!!! is offering the first annual BCS All-Fraud Top 20 list if the ChatHeads so desire. For you Tiger fans lamenting your team's absence from national championship consideration, JSL!!! may have something for you. But we're here to talk ball. So Let's Get It On!!!

ChicagoCardsFan: So this question isn't really related to the Winter Meetings, but I asked it late last week and wanted to give it another shot. There are rumors flying around that the majority ownership of the Cardinals is buying up minority shares in the team in anticipation of selling the team sometime after the ASG in 2009. Any thoughts on this or if there is movement within the organization to sell? Thanks in advance.

Joe Strauss: Majority ownership has bought shares in recent years because of former partner Bob Castellini's purchase of the Cincinnati Reds and the death of another minority interest. Bill DeWitt Jr. consistently denies any intention of selling anytime soon, but rumors certainly persist. This is not a great market to be selling a sports franchise, as the Rams are finding out. True, the Cardinals ownership group is assured a hefty profit, but any sale would also include a significant amount of debt stemming from construction of New Busch. Changes at Anheuser-Busch, the Cardinals' biggest advertiser, are almost certain to effect the team's corporate support. These are uncertain times for the sports industry and the Cardinals are not exempt. But I don't see a pressing need for ownership to sell. Revenues continue to finance the stadium.

Matt: Joe,
In all honesty and seriousness, how annoyed have you become from the contingent of fans(and they have every right) voicing their opinion about Cardinals Management being cheap? Scale 1-10? It is getting pretty old in my opinion. I wish more people would understand Higher Payroll DOES NOT = Championship.

Joe Strauss: It doesn't annoy me but it bothers management a lot. It's a cyclical argument for many. If the team doesn't compete for Sabathia, Burnett, K-Rod, etc., it's because it's cheap. If it signs Chris Carpenter to a five-year extension and he breaks down, the team is incompetent because it didn't foresee a breakdown. The TB Rays reached the World Series with a payroll below $50 million. The Cardinals won a World Series at around $90 million. The NY Yankees missed the postseason last year despite spending about $200M. It's a talking point. I believe fans remain frustrated that the new stadium has not equated to dramatically higher spending. The team never fully explained that the pledge was based on the facility being publicly financed.

Aaron: Hola El Diablo,
Is there any chance Felipe Lopez could still make a triumphant return to the Redbirds? I don't consider myself Lopez's #1 fan, but w/ Green at short, I feel like the Cards are going to need some additional pop in the middle infield. (Green's sub-.300 OBP's are scaring me a little, though I think he's a good chance to take.) And the prospect of a full season of Kennedy is not exactly awe-inspiring. Of course, the offense was fine last year, but the possibility that Ankiel, Ludwick, Glaus, and Yadi could all regress a little this year seems a very real one. Thanks for being so insightful and grizzled!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joe Strauss: Grizzled? Hmmm.
Green is being sold as an offensive upgrade. (He hit 27 HR in '07). He's not a big on-base guy. That's not going to change. Kennedy is serviceable if you project what he provided in '08 over 500 at-bats. I believe TLR would have preferred an upgrade, but the Cardinals did rank fourth in the league in runs scored and until September were a virtual carbon of the Philadelphia Phillies. Lopez certainly impressed offensively last September. However, there are numerous teams that would remind the Cardinals that long-term relationships with "Flip" usually end badly.