Live Chats with the Post-Dispatch and STLtoday

The group is somewhat modified since two members of the front office followed Jeff Luhnow to the Houston Astros. But there does appear to be more ready embrace of some advanced metrics by the current regime. TLR loved to talk about the game's human element and felt that the pendulum had swung too far to quantitative analysis. As recently as this morning Mike Matheny made the point that he would invite a significant amount of analysis from the spreadsheet sector. Matheny was less specific about which metrics he favors, but there is a modest shift. Regarding organizational structure, it's fair to say that Tony may have viewed his staff and the major-league clubhouse as more of a peninsula. Mo' clearly wants to more closely integrate the major- and minor-league sides. His shake-up of the coaching staff is the most obvious example. Brent Strom, hardly considered a Dunc' ally, now has greater range of movement within camp. Mo' insists "control" had nothing to do with Matheny's hire. Some would disagree. Regardless, the goal is to achieve a seamless system.

It's obvious? Wow. Guess the sabes are correct: actually talking to folks involved in the situation must be way overrated. Molina has been fairly blunt about how he's approaching the situation. He's called it "business." Remember last September when Lance Berkman said, "Of course it's about the money." No one seemed to flinch then. It's hard to tackle the premise of your question if you've already reached a conclusion. Molina says he wants to remain with the franchise but wants to be paid. He dismisses the quaint notion of a hometown discount. He communicates daily with a close friend who became frustrated by negotiations with the same front office. Of course there's a background here. Molina was also not the only holdover player not to attend the White House function. However, his contract status and failure to appear at the Winter Warm-Up make him an easier target than, say, Adam Wainwright. Pujols was called a hypocrite by many who recalled him saying his free agent destination wouldn't be decided by money alone. Yet Molina speaks honestly and now takes arrows. Making a catcher a priority in the upcoming draft is not going to address the void in 2013 or 2014 should Molina leave.

I think there is a good chance for an agreement. I do not expect a positive outcome should Molina reach the season without an extension in place.

Every indication suggests the club will play it conservatively regarding Craig. He may begin throwing later this week and will be tested next week to determine how far removed he is from hitting and running. He may prove estimates wrong but I believe Craig likely opens the season on the DL.

He's here. And do you really think there's a valid ETA based on short season and a couple of spring workouts? That said, the club appears very high on him. Let's see how quickly he reached Springfield this year. Right now, he's projected to open at Palm Beach.

Izzy continues to look for a pitching opportunity. He's not retired yet.

I'll say this: Talks with Albert were suspended the day he entered camp last February. Talks have really yet to begin in earnest with Molina. I'd hold off on comparisons for the time being.

I'd give Tony Cruz the edge until further notice.

Beltran walked into the clubhouse less than 30 minutes ago. So, no, I have not see him in drills. My initial read is that he is not a big fan of returning to center field. There is no need to force feed him at the position until Craig returns. My guess is there will be less of Beltran in CF than many fans expect. He did not react enthusiastically to the notion of frequent exposure at the position when pressed last month.

Barring a spring collapse: over.

I wonder how folks would have characterized AP's season had he avoided the DL. If Albert had hit 3 home runs with 9 RBI during the time he missed, he would have finished with 40 home runs and 108 RBI. Say he scraped out a .300 average instead of .299: Would folks have labeled a .300, 40, 108 year as proof of being in steep decline? Doubtful.

I'd give it 10 percent. My esteemed colleague Rick Hummel rates it at 6 percent. No NL team has accomplished the feat since the 1976 Cincinnati Reds. The ChatMeister was a sophomore in high school. That's a very long time ago.

Fair assessment. I wouldn't rule out Roy O. until he's signed someplace else. The Cardinals refuse to say they are out of the market for him. Oswalt could conceivable sign with a club during the season a la Roger Clemens. Such a move would allow a guy with health issues to save his bullets. Again, I'm not ruling anything out.

It's not my call, so I won't make it. It's a safe guess Yadi is seeking a minimum five years at more than $10 million per season.

Craig, when healthy.

I think they need to be treated as two separate issues. I don't believe the struggles of any Cardinals starter should cause the club to force-feed Miller onto the major-league roster. He's a special talent. Allow him to mature at his own pace. If he's ready, he's ready. But don't hustle a 21-year-old to Busch Stadium because of outside forces. It's the front office's responsibility to have a contingency in place. Miller should be viewed as a possible September call-up. If he dominates at Memphis, then think about adjusting.

The math stacks up heavily against Komatsu, who has yet to appear above Double-A. Most Rule 5 guys don't stick. Dominoes would have to fall for him to remain. That said, he has speed, which could be used as a tactical weapon while the club tried to shepherd him through the season.

They'll be more aggressive on the bases, but that may not translate to a huge increase in stolen bases. Tyler Greene is a variable here. If he makes the club as starting second baseman, Greene could provide an element missing from the 2011 club. That said, the Cardinals won 90 games and a World Series without running much. It's probably more important that they become a better first-to-third and second-to-home club.

Adron Chambers is an exciting talent who may be considered too raw to break camp with the club. However, Cardinals fans immediately liked what they saw from Chambers during limited exposure last season. Like Greene, he offers a speed element lacking last year. I liked him last spring. I like him more now. But he needs to round some edges to his game.

The Wizard is expected to make an appearance at camp.