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Cardinals chat with Joe Strauss

Submit your Cardinals questions and opinions NOW: talk to Post-Dispatch baseball writer Joe Strauss starting at 1 p.m.

by Mike Smithon Nov 1, 2012 at 6:47 PM

I've heard it both ways. Taveras has yet to play at AAA. He's had issues with focus outside the batter's box. He's 21. Mo' has also called him the organization's most dynamic offense talent since Albert. But there is more to the game that that. The Cardinals aren't hurting offensively. Taveras doesn't become a necessity until Beltran departs after next season. He can then fit into a corner OF. Unless he is given a regular road, Taveras appears better served at Memphis until/unless an injury affords him that opportunity. In other words, Taveras fits if he's one of your top three OF's. I'm not so sure if he's one of the top 4. Carpenter offers a competent fourth outfielder until that opportunity presents itself.

by jstrauss 11/7/2012 8:51:32 PM
Does Matt Adams have serious trade value in the league or will he passed around for spare parts (a la Zach Cox)?

by Ryan 11/7/2012 8:51:52 PM
Adams has value. But he's a first base-only guy. That's a tough major-league role to grab given the need for immediate production. Adams' is also coming off season-ending elbow surgery. I would think Adams would have to be one of two or three parts of a significant deal. Adams projects as a power bat, something less certain about Cox. Neither projects as a plus defender. Most importantly, Adams -- like Cox -- appears blocked with this organization. I continue to believe his greatest opportunity resides with another organization.

by jstrauss 11/7/2012 8:56:06 PM
Hi Joe, Im joining the chat late so I apologize if you have answered this already...do you think the Cardinals will make calls to see if Andrus from the Rangers really is available as has been rumored? Thanks Max

by Max 11/7/2012 8:56:46 PM
The GM meetings serve as foundation for what happens between now and December's Winter Meetings. I'd expect Mo' to have a discussion with Jon Daniels, if not already. Again, I still believe it more likely that the Cardinals seek a short-term fix at the position this winter unless Furcal's elbow is ruled a no-go for next season.

by jstrauss 11/7/2012 8:59:26 PM
Dear Joe, who is a candidate for "surprise" minor leaguer to look out for who might rise quickly this spring and summer? Might we see a bit more of an aggressive push with someone like Tyrell Jenkins?

by westcoastcards 11/7/2012 9:00:26 PM
Jenkins is coming off surgery. So is Jordan Swagerty (23), but he had TJ surgery last spring training. As a reliever he's in a much stronger position to increase his value in 2013.

by jstrauss 11/7/2012 9:02:49 PM
Hi Joe, so what do you think about Lance Berkman, being that he is a switch hitter, or Larry Walker being the assistant hitting coach?

by Nonni24 11/7/2012 9:04:32 PM
I don't see it. Fans love to suggest former star players as coaches. Think about it: A guy enjoys an extended career in which he makes tens of millions of dollars. Does he really need to spend most of eight months away from his family while receiving a negligible financial return? McGwire was an exception. And he also returned as the hitting coach, not the assistant hitting coach. And, obviously, he left the Cardinals to be closer to his family in California.

by jstrauss 11/7/2012 9:06:54 PM
Given the recent article written about a Wainwright extension, what kind of odds do you give that that actually comes to fruition?

by westcoastcards 11/7/2012 9:07:02 PM
I would expect the matter to be addressed before spring training, perhaps before next month.

by jstrauss 11/7/2012 9:07:29 PM
I'm new here...you may be sick of this question, but what do you foresee in Schumaker's future? Is there something we don't know concerning Schumaker's "non-use" Sept. and Oct.?

by TexasCB 11/7/2012 9:08:30 PM
My expectation is that Skip will be in spring training with another club. Just a hunch.

by jstrauss 11/7/2012 9:08:58 PM
After the 2013 season, the only large, long-term contracts on the payroll look to be Molina, Holliday and Garcia. Assuming Wainwright signs long-term this winter, that would put those four as the core. Taking into consideration all of the arbitration raises the next couple seasons and the contracts coming off of the books, I see the organization as having considerable leverage and firepower to sign a marquis free agent if need be. That along with all of the prospects rising through the organization, IMO, look to provide a very bright future and possibility for perennial playoff contention. Very exciting time to be a Cards fan. Do you agree with this assessment?

by Steve F 11/7/2012 9:09:47 PM
Yes. In my 11 years covering the club the Cardinals possess unprecedented leverage in terms of money and personnel. The variable is the young arms' health.

by jstrauss 11/7/2012 9:10:52 PM
can we expect the chatmeister to ever make another appearance at hammons field?

by cheese 11/7/2012 9:11:54 PM
Absolutely.

by jstrauss 11/7/2012 9:12:06 PM
Any chance the Cards go after Bay as a bat off the bench?

by Taylor 11/7/2012 9:13:02 PM
Don't see it.

by jstrauss 11/7/2012 9:13:12 PM
True or false: Cincinnati poses the only realistic threat to STL in the Central over the next three years.

by Brandon 11/7/2012 9:13:21 PM
What if the Brewers obtained Greinke or Hamilton? We've seen in recent years how quickly the balance of power can shift in the NL Central. The Pirates have been as good as anybody in the division for the first four months the last two seasons. If they find more depth they become interesting. The Cardinals have not won more than 91 games since 2005. They've won a single division championship the last six seasons. They've been fairly consistent but not exactly dominant.

by jstrauss 11/7/2012 9:16:43 PM
Would love to see the Birds acquire Asdrubal. In your opinion, would a Kelly/Adams get it done, or would it take more than that?

by marpdagn 11/7/2012 9:17:04 PM
Kelly projects for most teams as a reliever. The Cardinals might have to include a starter.

by jstrauss 11/7/2012 9:17:45 PM
If Jaime Garcia doesn't pan out, what direction do you see the Cardinals going in terms of LH starting pitching?

by strider379 11/7/2012 9:18:00 PM
I'm not certain there would be a specific need for a LH starter. The question would be whether Mo' would assure Lynn a spot in the rotation in addition to opening up the fifth spot for Kelly/Rosenthal/Miller. I'd suspect the club would pursue short-term depth.

by jstrauss 11/7/2012 9:19:34 PM
What's the RamBall reference I see in here from time to time? Also, I get BFIB, but how about HPFG? Thanks!

by You've commented recently... 11/7/2012 9:19:42 PM
RamBall = VCU, 2011 Final Four, reigning CAA champion and presumptive A10 hoops favorite. HPGF = Hyperventilating Prospect Geek Fraternity. Keep up.

by jstrauss 11/7/2012 9:20:55 PM
Joe have you detected any interest in the Cards for Jonny Gomes as bench bat?

by Joe F. 11/7/2012 9:21:15 PM
He fits the profile of what the Cardinals are looking for.

by jstrauss 11/7/2012 9:21:26 PM
Hey Joe. A lot of the national media aren't as high on Lohse getting the big bucks as we may be led to believe. If Lohse is indeed in line for something like 3/45, is that really an area that MO is reluctant to enter?

by marpdagn 11/7/2012 9:22:19 PM
It ain't happening.

by jstrauss 11/7/2012 9:22:30 PM
Do you see Kyle McClellan on the Cardinals' roster next year?

by CO Redbird 11/7/2012 9:22:34 PM
No.

by jstrauss 11/7/2012 9:22:40 PM
What's worse: a Chick-fil-a ban or appearing on the Morning After Show?

by westcoastcards 11/7/2012 9:22:57 PM
It all depends on whether Doug Vaughn is in studio or not.

by jstrauss 11/7/2012 9:23:20 PM
Hey Joe! Is there a specific date that the club will know whether or not to count on Furcal and Garcia next year? The longer the unknown will seem to tie the club's hands on moving toward replacing them or counting on them.

by Eddie S 11/7/2012 9:24:12 PM
The team needs to have a clear idea before Winter Meetings. As of now, the club says there is no surgery anticipated for Furcal. Garcia needs to throw at some point before then.

by jstrauss 11/7/2012 9:24:58 PM
will shelby miller be a starter next year

by jessie mccart 11/7/2012 9:25:04 PM
Yes. Either in STL or MEM.

by jstrauss 11/7/2012 9:25:13 PM
do you think gomes would fit on this team chemistry wise? that seems to be a very important thing to look for when building a roster now a days

by birdfan 11/7/2012 9:25:19 PM
Gomes was considered a very positive clubhouse influence in Cincinnati and Oakland.

by jstrauss 11/7/2012 9:25:34 PM
Assistant hitting coach?

by mitch 11/7/2012 9:26:13 PM
Organizational hire. Derrick May, Mark Budaska and Phillip Wellman are obvious candidates.

by jstrauss 11/7/2012 9:28:28 PM
Other than yours, of course, what are the most-coveted or "pinnacle of a career" baseball beat-writing jobs out there? Any teams or markets the Golden Child of sportswriting in your humble opinion?

by Curiosity Killed the Cat 11/7/2012 9:28:58 PM
The Dodgers beat for the LA Times, the Cards for the Post-Dispatch, the Red Sox for the Boston Glove, the Yankees for the NY Times... They're all prestigious beats at papers that do baseball well. Mostly, the job is what the reporter makes of it. There are plenty of talented scribes still on the beat, though the experience level is not what it once was. I started covering the Braves for the Atlanta Constitution when I was 27. I'm a lot older now. Looking forward to a different challenge.

by jstrauss 11/7/2012 9:33:09 PM