Pitching Decisions...

I hope my answers live up to the high bar that was set:

1. Welly as a set up man seems moot at this point. Franklin looks to be righting the ship, and Springer should be okay after he comes off the DL. If not, I like the moxie that McClellan has shown, and I like that Tony throws him out there in every pressure situation so far--and the kid bounced back well from last night's walk off to get out of a jam tonight. Besides, Welly is a long reliever guy/spot starter guy, especially with his history of erratic pitching.

2. I would add parise to the off-limits list.

3. Yes, make a move if it benefits the team, not just for the sake of making a move. If they can give up talent in exchange for talent (maybe a pitcher for an impact bat) do it. I don't think one or two moves sells the future for a win now scenario. You can try to win now and keep enough horses in the barn for the next few years.

1) It looks like Mr. Wellemeyer should have as much chance at the setup role as anyone else in the bullpen. It seems like the bullpen right now has a closer, 2 LH specialists, and an host of RH long relievers. Here's to hoping one of them can distinguish himself, and Mr. Wellemeyer clearly has the Dave Duncan seal of approval.

2) I can't argue too much with your list. I would be willing to listen to offers for either Perez or Motte, but not both. I would also be okay with a very nice 1-2 punch at the end of the bullpen with a very cost-effective salary. I might also add a guy like Clayton Mortensen to the list. He is a Duncan-type pitcher, and he seems to know what he is doing.

3) If the Cards can use their surplus of depth OFs and 4-5 starters to add a significant 2B, SS, or 3B prospect, then I think they need to do it. I don't know if there is anybody available that could help them at the SS position this year, but I think they clearly need to be grooming players with plus skills at those positions. It seems that is the biggest hole in their minor league system, and it is clearly a sore on the major league club.

I'd still like to see Looper returned to his relief status. I trust him over Wellemeyer and Thompson in relief any day, but as a starter, just about the same as those two. That'd be a pretty dominant bullpen with Franklin, Springer and Izzy as well.

1) The starting pitchers thing is beyond me. If it were up to me, Reyes would be in the rotation, and Wellemeyer would almost definitely be in the pen or AAA or who knows where. Having said that, our starting staff was the top in the bigs last I looked (before last night's game), so really, I don't know how you second-guess that at this point.

2) No one outside Rasmus is off limits for me, BUT--I would say unless we are looking capable to compete for the World Series crown, and not just for the NL Central, then I would say we need to be looking to acquire more young players, not veterans. If trading a Perez in addition to one of our veterans to a team can net us more prospects that are ready to help in '09 or '10, then I'm for it. Otherwise no.

3) While I enjoy the idea of playing to prevent the Cubs from winning, it's not good strategy longterm. I say we consider making moves only if it's to improve the long-term standing of the team or if Mozeliak sees our team in July as being a legitimate World Series contender, simply needing an extra piece or two. It would be foolish to make a big push for the playoffs, if it means getting in as an 85-win team that will likely get bumped (I know anything can happen, and we won it with 83 wins in '06--but I would warn not to look for lightning to strike twice)

looking dominant. He threw up a nice line against Houston and went deep into the game.