Well, what are the needs? The club projects to return its current starting eight. A backup SS appears a likely need. Perhaps another LH reliever and an additional RH bat for the bench, perhaps an OF. The rotation is the point of most interest. Waino', Carpenter, Garcia, Lynn and Kelly are under control next season. As for Shelby Miller and Trevor Rosenthal? They offer at least depth, perhaps more. Carpenter, of course, remains a question following July surgery. I certainly can see how Westbrook could be an option for $8.5 million. Lohse may go deep-sea fishing following an outstanding season. I would anticipate a $14M AAV for him in his next deal, which would likely be for a minimum three years guaranteed, perhaps four. Carpenter's status may become clearer by the end of the season. I suspect his availability or lack thereof will dictate how aggressive the club will be for a high-end starter.

Jake has more leverage now than 2-3 months ago. He and the club share a mutual option for next season worth $8.5M. Westbrook must state his intention first. If he exercises his option and the club declines, he's owed a $1 million buyout. If he declines, the club owes him nothing. The core question becomes whether Westbrook believes he can fetch a higher AAV for multiple years on the open market. If he believes the club has no interest in bringing him back, he should take a $1M roll of the dice. Westbrook, however, freely admits this is the best work environment he's ever experienced. The starters, especially the more veteran ones, share a close relationship. From the club's standpoint, it must balance Westbrook's return versus an opportunity for Kelly/Miller/Rosenthal and the availability of a more cost-effective option on the market. It's an interesting poker game.

It's difficult to envision Carpenter assuming an everyday role with this team barring injury. He is best as a corner infielder. However, the club has David Freese under control for three more years and projects Allen Craig as next season's first baseman. Carlos Beltran is signed through 2013. Carpenter's first extended chance here would seem to be 2014. All that said, Carpenter offers great maturity for a player of his experience level. He is no newbie (he turns 27 in Nov.) and has a very firm understanding of the game. His value as a utility player is significant, especially with Freese and Craig followed by leg and feet problems for much of their major-league careers. Carpenter has 8 RBI in 20 pinch at-bats this season. That's remarkable for anyone, never mind a rookie hitter. I'm sure another club may see him filling a more visible role. Could make for an interesting winter.

The club projects Adam Wainwright as an elite No. 1. The Cardinals are not inclined to offer long-term high-AAV deals to starting pitchers. With their options in the minor leagues, I can't blame them.

Certainly the club steers players to its rightsholders, FSM and KMOX. Most of these guys understand media access is part of the job. Access has also eroded this season as part of the recent Collective Bargaining Agreement. I could launch into a rant here but it would only seem self-serving (though true BFIBs recognize greater media access means more information for them). It's a treat for any player to engage Jim "the Cat" Hayes in some pre-game folderol. A number of guys do pro bono appearances on non-rightsholding stations as well. It's a gentle market. Everyone gets along for the most part.

As El Hombre once famously uttered, "There are no breaks. This is business." Berkman was even more blunt last September when he made clear, "It's always about the money." The belief that a player will sacrifice millions and take fewer years in order to bathe in adulation from The Best Fans in Baseball is somewhat naive. This winter represents Lohse's final bite of the apple. He is very happy here. But as Lohse noted a couple weeks ago, "I can be happy in a lot of places."

Craig was always viewed as a tough fit defensively. He was taken off third base because of quirky throwing mechanics. He still remains a more comfortable outfield than infield arm. He has average speed at best. As noted here previously, his best position is "bat." Injuries have compromised his opportunities as well. Craig has significant value. He is still adjusting to first base. His bat will force the Cardinals (or some club) to find him an everyday position. Craig is a very intelligent player and makes adjustments quickly. I don't believe him underrated any longer. BTW, Rasmus is doing better in Toronto. He slammed his 20th home run last night and has an outside shot at 30 this season. Miller remains a coveted prospect who may have retarded his own development by waiting until Triple-A to fully embrace his need for secondary pitches. There's little purpose comparing the buzz over one prospect to another.

Well, did anyone really believe a first-time manager would avoid critique? Come on. Matheny expected it. That doesn't mean he agrees with what he reads or hears, but it's part of the gig. He operates at an additional deficit given that most of us became accustomed to how TLR ran a clubhouse and a game. TLR had his critics -- every manager does -- but pitchers regularly said he handled a bullpen with better touch than any other manager they'd played for. To me, handling the bullpen defines a manager as much or more than any other element. The fact that Matheny was given a pen with several rough edges to open the season only invited more scrutiny. As the bullpen has evolved, so have opinions of the manager. His tactics are far more predictable now, which makes them seem more rational. I have yet to speak to any baseball person who does not believe Matheny will become a very good to outstanding manager. Just as a player's development becomes noticeable over the course of a season, so does a first-year manager's. I, like most, had many questions early. And, yes, Mike bends over backwards to protect his players. My understanding is that he is far more critical in private. However, reluctance to publicly evaluate/criticize players can suggest timidness. TLR, it should be noted, was more willing to critique some than others to media. The Cardinals are meanwhile leading the league in most offensive categories. I don't see where the lineup should be a major quibble.

The appreciation scale sure seems weighted toward The Now. I dare say St. Louis won't enjoy another comeback like 2011 in most of our lifetimes.

Well, by my reckoning Craig already has been part of one championship team. Adam Dunn is borderline incompetent on defense. It's a disservice to Craig to place him in that category. Craig, given health, can handle first base or a corner outfield position. Left field would probably fit him best.

I don't think that Waino' said anything publicly that hadn't been said within the clubhouse. What struck me was that he made his comments knowing that his next start would be against the Los Angeles Dodgers and incumbent NL Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw. Wainwright won the battle (7 IP, 2 ER) in a game I believe may eventually be looked upon as a turning point to the season. it would have been a lot easier for Adam to make his statement before facing the Astros, Padres or some other destitute club. In a way, he called himself out, then delivered.

Hard to predict the waiver wire. However, it is difficult to give up on Greene as long as Rafael Furcal is dealing with back issues. Yes, Descalso can play short. But it's very debatable whether the club wants him there on a daily basis should Furcal hit the DL. Furcal's back issues flared immediately before the trade deadline, which may partially explain why Greene was not moved.

Salas last night had one of the more unusual 1-2-3 innings I've witnessed. A single led to a caught stealing. A double led to an out at third when Melky Cabrera tried to stretch it into a triple. And a hard-hit third out. Salas appeared headed in a positive direction prior to Colorado. It's still difficult for me to believe that he has not experienced aftereffects of last year's grind. I'm not sure of the corresponding move when Garcia is activated. Remember that rosters expand two weeks after Jaime's return. Whoever gets bumped won't be gone long.

I anticipate seeing Chambers here next month. He has had a good offensive season at Memphis.

I believe they're a 92-94 win team. Of course, before the season I considered them an 84-86 win team. Their schedule will eventually toughen.

Compiling guest list now. Just laid out $49.95 for a new VCU hoodie.

Daniel Descalso has also been playing at a high level and is hitting lefthanders well. Descalso is typically perceived as the better defensive player as well. Defense sometimes breaks ties behind a ground-ball pitcher.

I suspect the club and Waino' will enter talks about an extension sometime before next season. AAV could be a ticklish subject given the term some others have recently achieved. Greinke's free agency could also be influential.

I wouldn't dismiss it. However, I question the value if the Cardinals don't project Taveras as part of next season's Opening Day roster. Spot duty in September, or merely satisfying fan curiosity, doesn't seem like enough to offset unnecessarily burning an option next spring.

The Cardinals got hits. They just bunched them with two outs. Seven of their eight hits against Zito came with two outs. Both of Craig's home runs came with two outs -- and no one on base. More quirky than anything.

I have the Cardinals making the playoffs. Only a significant erosion in their pitching could derail them. If that happens, their run differential will also decline.

True, to a point. The club leaned very heavily on Rafael Furcal during the first half. It's now paying the price for it.