Jeff F: Joe, thank you for the weekly chats and your work covering the Cards. You're a great resource for all the fans. My question is about the PD's recent coverage of Albert Pujols' impending free agency (after the 2011) season. The PD has run 2 columns and a blog post on this topic in the last week. I'm just wondering what the impetus behind this coverage is. Seems like a great issue to cover next offseason, but June? 2 1/2 years before the contract expires? Just seems awfully strange...more like columnists stirring up controversy. I know they're not you're stories, but I'm wondering if there is something that spurred this sudden hailstorm. Thank you for your time.

Joe Strauss: It's a valid question. If the Cardinals were to revisit El Hombre's contract, next winter would be the logical time to do so. The team's recent offensive struggles have re-raised the issue of protection for Pujols, who said this spring that he would weigh his future with the club based on competitiveness over dollars. It's fairly evident El Hombre has been on an island much of this season and has heard contradictory comments about the club's desire to acquire help. Albert's contract makes for good "prevocative" talk radio. Bernie and Burwell host sports talk shows. Go figure.

MagnoliaCardFan: Joe,

Noting the improvement of Brendan Ryan and Tyler Greene, does the front office feel that we have a good trading chip with one of these two? And do you think they would use it?

Thank you.

Joe Strauss: It doesn't matter what the Cardinals front office thinks. Ryan or Greene is a trading chip only if they're coveted by other teams. So far, neither has proven himself as a major-league hitter. That hurts their value.

Gary Schmidt: Hi Joe,
Why do you think the Cubs will win 90 games this year? They are not as good of a team as last season. Losing De Rosa and adding Miles and Bradley were huge mistakes, Dempster was in a contract year last season and has never been a starter 2 years in a row, Harden is hurt too often, Fukudome is regressing again just like last year, Soto is going thru a sophmore jinx, Zambrano is still a headcase, and the list goes on. Now they have 5 more games to play than the Cards because of rainouts. How will they win 90 games?

Joe Strauss: Aramis Ramirez will return. Unless hurt, Zambrano will remain a factor. Harden is an impact pitcher when healthy. Soto has to be better than he has shown. Dempster is solid. Even if Miles and Bradley were mistakes (ample evidence suggests they were), the Cubs play in a flimsy division that is waiting for them find a gear. I put them in the same class as the LA Angels and Minnesota Twins, mediocre-looking clubs with the capacity to run off 8-12 straight wins. The Cardinals have played a very heavy early schedule. The Cubs have played the fewest (60) in the major leagues. It's a fair point. If the Cubs get healthy, they can handle the schedule. If not, it doesn't matter, they won't be good enough. Can they go 60-42? If they're .500 in 20 games the answer becomes no.

redbirdswin: How serious are the Cards in signing Miguel Angel Sano from the Dominican? I know others seem to be in pursuit as well (Pittsburgh, Cleveland, NY Yankees, etc), but what's your feeling on how serious the Cards' pursuit is?

Joe Strauss: Serious enough that the club says a Dominican signing could compromise their ability to sign first-rounder Shelby Miller.

Terry in Dubai: Greetings Chatmeister,

2 questions:

In looking for a 3B, do you think that the FO is only interested in a rental? They have Wallace and Freese, and it would be consistent with their player development policy to avoid a trade-and-sign or a move for a long-term solution. If this is the case, this limits options to the players routinely discussed.

Do you think Schumaker should be part of STL's long-term plans? I do. He is a quality OF and he is most of the way through an amazing transition to 2B. He hits RHP and he is a little better vs LHP than last year. He just looks like a ballplayer out there. Every time a play at 2B requires athleticism, he's there. I don't know about his arbitration status, but I'd be happy to see him signed him for a few years.

Joe Strauss: The rental approach leaves open the possibility of Atkins, Beltre, DeRosa, Branyan, et al. It is tough to project Freese as a long-term solution when he will miss at least the majority of this season following ankle surgery, then arrive at spring training next February as a soon-to-be 27-year-old player with less than two months' major league experience. Wallace is considered the future at the position. Who's in the manager's chair will likely determine when that future arrives. JSL!!! has consistently honked for Schu', even when Baseball America rated hims something like the system's seventh-best OF. But I like him as a platoon OF/leadoff hitter, not an everyday second baseman.