I thought I had some grasp of the Mozeliak philosophy for this team after the early moves.  Pick up expensive option on Izzy.  Resign Springer, Pinero to short term deals.  Not splashy (at the time, looked overpriced) but signings do not hamper the team long term.  Check.  Jettison Taguchi, Miles, Edmonds.  Allow the team to get younger.  Check.  Sign Izturis to a short term deal to bolster middle infield.  Former gold glover who was available in the bargain bin.  Stop gap.  Check.  Shopped Rolen at player's request but pulled back when the package offered didn't meet the value he perceived for the player.  Check.  Signed Clement to an incentive laden deal with a club option.  If Clement is healthy, the team is not required to endure another round of the TLR/Duncan v. A. Reyes test of wills (they surely will crack the kid this year if more of the same ensues).  All reasonable moves so far.

He might have pandered a bit to TLR / Duncan with the Izzy and Springer signings (TLR's head pops when he doesn't have vets in the 9th and 8th inning slots) but, other than the expensive bullpen, all the moves follow reasonable pattern--gradually get the team younger while still maintaining the appearance of fielding a competitive team.

I was further encouraged by most of what I heard from the Bernie interview of Mozeliak on the radio a few days ago.  When asked (after landing Clement) whether he would go along with the TLR tradition of bringing to spring training a raft of starting pitchers on minor league deals, he said quite firmly "no".  When asked why, he replied, "to do so limits the opportunities for the guys you already have in our organization"  Hallelujah!  Music to my ears.  Tony craves gris for his player mind game, spring training mill.  It's his way of motivating the players.  But the downside is that you steal ST innings from true organizational prospects.  If our goal is to build from within rather than continually filling out the roster from the refuse bin, then Mozeliak should say "no" to the annual boat of ST refugees.  Good for him.

But in the closing moments of the interview, Bernie asked Mozeliak what his next moves were on the horizon.  His reply, "first off, we need to strengthen our utility position, then prepare for the arbitration cases."  Say what?  What utility hole pray tell do you need to fill?  Scott Spiezio @ corner IF.  Brendan Ryan @ middle IF.  We already have six outfielders for five positions.  What in the name of Stan Musial could Mozeliak be referring to?

Yesterday we found out.  Aaron Miles.  The guy who fought off the hotel room intruder at gun point.  He was thrown overboard but, inexplicably, found some way to scamper back onto the boat!  The only reasonable explanation is that TLR hates B. Ryan and, thus, could not abide the stench emanating from the reality that, as things pre-Miles signing stood, B. Ryan was almost guaranteed a spot on the 25 man.  Miles just displaced him.  Completely unreasonable signing.  Miles is nearly incapable of playing SS.  No pop in the bat.  No speed on the bases.  No upside.  Ryan is a solid SS.  Some speed on the bases (yes, can steal a base).  Might have an upside.  Might have some pop.  We just need a larger sample size to tell.    

So Mozeliak threw Tony a bone.  Miles is the bone.  Lord, I hope it stops there.