As much as I whined about the return of TLR for 2008 and his mucking up the roster with vets, I have to say that (so far) there are not a lot of personnel moves that I really have legitimate grounds to bellyache about ... won't stop me from complaining mind you.  Resigning Miles after non-tendering the little guy seems to be the biggest problem.  It cascades along the infield.  If Miles was gone and Ryan was working in at SS and 2B, we'd have room for a corner IF bat.  I don't know how long it's been since Joe Mather played 3B, but that kind of bat on the bench would be nice to exchange for Miles.  Heck, I'd take Freese on the bench in exchange for Miles.

But Miles is water under the roster bridge.  At least we jettisoned So Taguchi.  So here the Cards find themselves 41 games into the season and, after a hot start, are scuffling.  But they're only 1 game back @ 23-18.  On opening day, we all would have pleasantly hoisted a Budweiser if told this would be the Cards' record on 5-14.  But some problems are starting to rear their head.  Our bullpen, once thought of as a strength, is showing signs of collapse.  Izzy has been demoted.  The rest of the relievers have looked human.  The starters haven't been much better.  Loshe has regressed substantially after a hot start.  Write Clement off.  Write Mulder off.  For some reason, TLR & Dunc have written Anthony Reyes off.

Given that we are competitive this season to date, the question is what do we do to improve this team?  I know what would have happened if Uncle Walt were still the GM--he'd be looking to deal prospects to bring in more vets.  JMo ain't gonna play that game.  Hallelujah.  The path to improving the team going forward must appear clear to everyone not part of the two headed monster known as LaDuncan.  We finally have talent in the upper levels of our farm system.  The answer to the bullpen woes sits a few hundred miles down I-55 in Memphis.  Chris Perez was told he was coming to the show then, hours later, told to stay put.  Was there a tug of war between LaDuncan and JMo?  Did Papa Dewitt step in and side with LaDuncan?

I think the situation with Izzy in microcosm determines the course for this team.  Izzy should not be a Cardinal next season.  Springer is not a long term solution.  Franklin is getting by with smoke and mirrors.  C. Perez needs ML experience in 2008 to not only improve the club today but prepare him for a larger roll in 2009.  If the Cardinals insert Izzy back into the closer role while C. Perez continues to blow away minor league hitters, then LaDuncan will have their hands firmly on the rudder of the good ship SS Redbird.  If C. Perez is called to STL and slowly gets handed more responsibility as he shows he can handle it (ala McClellan), then we know JMo has finalized a palace coup and has command.  I'm pulling for you JMo.  We'll keep our eyes on the Izzy / C. Perez situation.