DeWitt would be wise to offer Jocketty whatever it takes to keep him.  He may have big plans for his new employee Lunhow, but Jocketty was the man that constructed this fantastic stretch and nothing has really shown me that he can't do the same again.  Walt brought us McGwire, Edmonds, Rolen, Walker, Carpenter, Suppan, Izzy, Renteria, and Wainwright.  He has had his misteps, but when you have someone who is widely considered 'the best' you should hold on to that as long as possible.

I don't want to talk down on Lunhow or what he may or may not accomplish, however...if Jocketty leaves, I believe we are in for a LONGER rebuilding process than we currently are in and I also fear that such a rebuilding process will mean Pujols walks at the end of his deal.

If Jocketty is gone, expect a fire-sale next off-season of Edmonds, Rolen, Speizio, Kennedy, and anyone not named Carpenter/Pujols with a significant contract.

The end of the Jocketty era would mean a serious reduction, in my mind, of payroll and an attempt to build a younger team on 'the cheap' rather than re-evaluating the payroll based on current market conditions.

So, anyways, with all of this in mind, when you ask yourself why the Cardinals don't make a deal for an impact player or a Mark Buehrle, the odds on answer is because ownership has more than likely told the GM not to take on any significant contracts because they will be going in a different direction next season.

And, just to give you nightmares, once the Tribune Co. sells the Chicago Cubs franchise, more than likely they'll be looking for a new GM.

That said, I'm a fan of Luhnow and think he'll do a great job if he ends up as GM.  I believe there needs to be a greater concentration on the farm and youth than there has been.  People point to Walt and/or DeWitt as the source of this year's problems w/ pitching, Juan in RF, etc.  To me, the fundamental problem is that the farm system just hasn't produced the young players we've needed and the older, higher priced veterans haven't produced.  Edmonds and Rolen are being paid for what they've done in the past.  Carp, through no fault of his own, hasn't helped the team at all (though he will; Rolen and Edmonds I'm not so sure about).

Walt has been the architect of the team's recent successes.  Make no mistake, over the last 7 years, this franchise has been the best in the NL -- there's no question about it and Walt deserves the lion's share of the credit for it.  But we're not going to be able to continue to plug in Kip Wells, Tomo Ohka, and Aaron Miles and expect to catch lightning in a bottle.  The team must produce high quality, young players so that these players can supplement the stars.  This "stars and scrubs" team just isn't going to get very far, now or ever again.

If Jocketty goes, I bet Larussa won't be far behind. And if LaRussa goes I bet Albert will will start wanting out too.

It's scary but I have a bad feeling we are going to look more like the Pittsburgh Pirates, Devil Rays, Royals, ect. in the coming years before we look like a contender for the playoffs.
I hope I'm wrong.  

I hope we enjoyed the ride because the train is about to stop.

What I'm worried about is that the next 7 games are against the Phillies and Mets two tough teams against our fragile starting rotation. This next week will really be a true indication if we are going to be buyers or sellers at the trading deadline and could determine the near future of the club. That LONG rebuilding process might start in about a month if DeWitt decides to throw in the towell.

Why wouldn't other gm's trade with him. If he gives up guys like Haren. The fact is Walt is one of the best in the business and he was the one that built the team we watched and loved the last ten years.

With all that said there still comes a time. Now might be that time. If so, I say thank Mr. Jocketty we will miss you!

The Cardinals are not going to be sold.  

About 15 other teams would be sold before the Cardinals were to be sold.

Do you remember a couple years ago when Billy Beane was threatening to go else where?  What became of that?  Nothing.

Jocketty made one mistake with Haren.  There really haven't been that many mistakes in his career.  We can blame him all we want, but he's human.  At the time, did you think a catcher that was yet to develop power and had average defense and a decent young pitcher with an almost 2/1 BB/K ratio and a middle of the road reliever for a top lefthanded pitcher would be a bad trade?

Everything I want to say has been mentioned.  There are rumors every day in baseball -- Torre will be fired, etc.  Nothing will come of this.

Hardcore Legend put it perfectly:

Jocketty =
McGwire, Edmonds
Rolen, Walker
Renteria, Carpenter
1 WS, 2 NL Pennants, 7 Division

Any help would be much appreciated!