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Join columnist Jeff Gordon for his live St. Louis sports chat at 1 p.m. Friday

Bring your Cards, Blues, Mizzou, SLU and MLS questions and comments, and talk to columnist Jeff Gordon in his weekly live chat.

3rd & 7 37yd

The more I think about it – is Wainwright really just a Hall of Fame Long shot? All star starter, all-star closer, postseason
Heroics and excellence every single season! What more does a guy Have to do to get in Cooperstown?

by Bko 12/30/2022 8:51:06 PM
A lot more, I believe. For me the question is this: For how many years did he rank among the very best pitchers in the game? How many years did he pitch at the Cy Young level?

by Jeff Gordon 12/30/2022 8:52:07 PM
Gordo thanks as always for taking time for these chats! I am trying not to be too giddy over the Mizzou Tigers start of this season. I realize two impressive wins over ranked teams and wins over creampuff non conference opponents does not a season make. But who saw this coming especially with the massive turnover in the makeup of the team? Certainly not me. Is Gates just this good of a coach/recruiter? As they get into the meat of the SEC season do you expect them to maintain their high level of play or foresee a rapid return to earth? Thanks and I look forward to your comment.

by Arnold 12/30/2022 8:52:24 PM
The SEC is a beast this season and the Tigers will taken their lumps. They will suffer games where they do not shoot well at all. And like John Calipari said, they do let the other teams get shots up. They will run into hot shooting. But with two big wins in the bank and zero bad losses to date, they have a path to the NCAA Tournament in front of them. And don't underestimate the value of experience and maturity. These Tigers have been around the block.[

by Jeff Gordon 12/30/2022 8:55:03 PM
What do you think it takes to wrap up T Edman. With the inflation for SS position, if he is interested, I'd like STL to extend him. $20M AAV for 8 years +/- ?

by fumblinbumblin 12/30/2022 8:57:34 PM
Edman's lack of power cuts into his market value, so I wouldn't compare him to the very top guys. I don't to guesstimate that because I don't how the industry views his staying power as an everyday player.

by Jeff Gordon 12/30/2022 8:59:04 PM
Can't develop into a role by riding the bench. Let the young guys play themselves either in or out.

by Ed 12/30/2022 8:59:06 PM
I agree, which is why my roster projection with multiple kids on the bench likely won't pan out. The Cardinals need to play the Gorman/Yepez/Burleson types here or in the minors -- or trade from the redundancy.

by Jeff Gordon 12/30/2022 9:00:20 PM
Boston is listening for offers for Chris Sale. If healthy, he has exactly the stuff we're looking for. High AAV. Significant health risk. What would Bos say for a trade that includes DeJong (they have a SS hole) and a Yepez (should thrive in that ballpark) a Libertore and maybe a sweetener?...consider that we take all of Sales' salary.

by fumblinbumblin 12/30/2022 9:00:41 PM
I could see Yepez hitting in Fenway. And maybe DeJong getting a second wind. I like the thought process here.

by Jeff Gordon 12/30/2022 9:01:36 PM
When Mo says payroll will go up and then he keeps the same roster as now, but extends Edman, Goldy, and Mikolas...will the fans accept this as honoring his word?

by fumblinbumblin 12/30/2022 9:01:49 PM
If the payroll does increase, then he wasn't lying.

by Jeff Gordon 12/30/2022 9:02:05 PM
Prediction here first....as we approach the trade deadline, P DeJong is marginal with the bat and has trade value. M Wynn is putting together good at bats at AAA and the outfield isn't producing to our desired level. Wynn promoted to SS and Edman to RF. DeJong is packaged in a trade for a #1 or #2 SP rental.

by fumblinbumblin 12/30/2022 9:02:26 PM
A lot would have to happen with DeJong to give him value in trade where the other team wasn't offloading high salary and injury risk.

by Jeff Gordon 12/30/2022 9:03:16 PM
I don't think our FO believes baseball payrolls are on a straight-line trajectory through the roof. When the top salary players start earning below their AAV, I think the balance swings back to an equilibrium with ownership and either shorter contracts or declining AAV in the advancing years becomes common. Counting on the farm to fill significant portions of the line-up will again facilitate a competitive post season club.

by fumblinbumblin 12/30/2022 9:03:51 PM
I do think this trend of massive contracts carrying guys into their 40s will run their course in time, as many teams get burned. But it will be a while before teams get burned by these deals, so the next few years will see more of the same.

by Jeff Gordon 12/30/2022 9:05:08 PM
Aren't these monster payrolls several teams are setting up for years counting on increased revenue from streaming/gambling/ads on uniforms/ and other increased revenue sources? What if they don't pay out or come at the expense of the gate?

by fumblinbumblin 12/30/2022 9:05:16 PM
The No. 1 concern right now is the potential collapse of the regional TV rights, since those companies that paid giant rights fees are going to have trouble recouping that money through streaming. But baseball always finds more money somehow . . .

by Jeff Gordon 12/30/2022 9:06:58 PM
Gordo I have been a Blues fan for many years and don’t like throwing in the towel (I vividly remember 2019!!) on a season until absolutely necessary. I was at the game last night and expected the Note to steamroll the Hawks with their frustration over the recent OT games. Didn’t happen. Game was close in score and play. Chicago is in the NHL and has scholarship players too but have the league’s worst record for a reason. I am increasingly in favor of making Vladi a happy man and giving ROR a realistic chance to play for a contender this season. Hastening the reload. It’s bound to happen sooner or later. You’re thoughts?

by Arnold 12/30/2022 9:07:18 PM
I agree that the selloff seems likely. This game with Minnesota will tell a lot, as will the next road trip. Big homestands loom, but the longer this team sticks around .500 the more likely we'll see those two moved.

by Jeff Gordon 12/30/2022 9:08:42 PM
Ten bucks says Dakota Hudson adds a bit of velocity and control now that he's further removed from surgery. And furthermore that he has a solid ERA under 3.50 in 2023, but an FIP over 4.50, and the same amateur "analysts" will call Hudson mediocre and insanely claim that FIP is reality, and ERA is theory.

My question, Bobo: would you care to take an irresponsible guess at the 2024 Opening Day rotation? I say Mikolas, Graceffo, Hudson, Matz, and German Marquez, acquired in July of this year.

by Brian Jordan was twice as good as Bo Jackson 12/30/2022 9:09:03 PM
That is interesting. I agree about Hudson, who could also benefit from the pitch clock. I can't hazard a guess at which pitchers the Cardinals will need to acquire (Pablo Lopez keeps coming up too), but they will need to add somebody under control beyond this season. Such a deal would help this year, too, since somebody is bound to get hurt.

by Jeff Gordon 12/30/2022 9:11:07 PM
On the robo-ump front...I'd like to see that technology used to "train" the plate umpires to a uniform strike zone. A buzzer in the handheld counter whenever there's a strike. Pavlovian training. I think technology has shown that base umpiring is fantastically accurate in real time, although still prone to human error. Balls and strikes has always been an area where each umpire can enforce their own philosophy, while beating a throw or missing a tag is not prone to interpretation.

by fumblinbumblin 12/30/2022 9:11:36 PM
With a few of these umps, a small jolt of electricity instead of buzzer might be needed for the corrective action. I understand the value of human umpiring and its respect for good pitching, but the bad umps ruined it for everybody. Gambling is a big deal now and there is no place for whimsical strike calling with dollars in play.

by Jeff Gordon 12/30/2022 9:13:51 PM
Shrewd moves from Mo! The same guy that traded rookie of the year and two of the top five pitchers last year? You might as well expect crazy spending from Dewitt

by B 12/30/2022 9:14:21 PM
Wait, what, still another comment from the recycling bin? Mozeliak acquires two MVP candidates and a rare power-hitting catcher. He also oversees an player development system that produces an All-Star closer, Gold Glove infielders and some of the top hitting prospects in the game. And yet we hear the same old whines.

by Jeff Gordon 12/30/2022 9:18:33 PM
Who is "Paranko"? That sounds like a canister of bread crumbs to me. I believe Colton's last name is "Parayko".

Anyway, since that at least lends itself to discussing the Blues, where does this team go, Jeff? Last year, if Kadri does not mug Binnington, they look like Stanley Cup contenders/winners to me. This year, they often look like a rudderless ship. Does Perron (who I miss dearly) make that much of a difference? Is this a case of older guys getting a year older and younger guys not yet stepping up completely to fill the gaps? The defense seems compromised. What is your diagnosis/prognosis for this team, Jeff?

And thanks for the best chat on stltoday.com with BenFred and Dave Matter close competition.

by Roy Earl 12/30/2022 9:18:55 PM
The Blues can't blame all of this on the loss of David Perron. Most of their top players have contributed to the team's overall defensive struggle. What can you say? The team just lost its edge.

by Jeff Gordon 12/30/2022 9:20:30 PM
Water under the bridge, but Eovaldi would have been a good fit here (IMO) at a palatable price. Plus, nice to get at least one more SP locked up for 2024.

by fumblinbumblin 12/30/2022 9:20:32 PM
Ultimately the Cardinals did not want to pay another starting pitcher Miles Mikolas or Adam Wainwright dollars with a five-man rotation, plus Hudson, already in place.

by Jeff Gordon 12/30/2022 9:21:41 PM
Does the pitch clock A) force Hudson's pace and unlock his natural ability, or B)force Hudson's pace and force him into poor pitch execution?
Same question for Gio G.

by fumblinbumblin 12/30/2022 9:22:26 PM
Well, the Cardinals certainly hope so. Both guys were sheer torture to watch on the mound.

by Jeff Gordon 12/30/2022 9:22:52 PM
Why are fans willing to take a chance on Chris Sale, Joey Gallo and other hurt or 1 year wonders . Matt Carpenter is the exception not the norm. Huge Risk and probably a real bad idea.

by Joe 12/30/2022 9:23:03 PM
Some these same fans are outraged that the team is taking a low-cost "gamble" on Tyler O'Neill staying on the field for most of a season.

by Jeff Gordon 12/30/2022 9:23:50 PM
Scott Rolen in the HOF this year? Y or N? I think Y

by fumblinbumblin 12/30/2022 9:23:51 PM
Me too.

by Jeff Gordon 12/30/2022 9:23:56 PM
Wait a sec. Chris Sale makes almost $30MM per year and has been hurt for three seasons, and you think the Red Sox (1)won't eat a lot of salary, AND also (2)expect to get a bigger return than an established young everyday MLB position player? That combo is a mathematical impossibility, Bobo. Sale's contract is so far underwater right now, he moonlights at the 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea exhibit in Disney World.

My other question, good scribe: If we accept the premise that the Birds basically have five #3 starters this year (which is fine), then it becomes very, very hard to upgrade the rotation. So maybe an elite AAA reliever should be targeted for trade, a la the Gallegos/Voit swap. What say you, Gordo?

by Brian Jordan was twice as good as Bo Jackson 12/30/2022 9:24:26 PM
The Red Sox bet on Sale should be that he gets healthy, pitches well and attracts the interest to one of the several teams willing to spend whatever. I mean, look at what Texas gave deGrom. As for the Cardinals rotation, there was very little in the way of actual upgrades in the market that made sense to this team. The top free agents got crazy money and brought some risk. The rest of the free agents looked like the guys this team already had. Yeah, a lot of No. 3s.

by Jeff Gordon 12/30/2022 9:27:28 PM
It takes two to tango, but what would it take to extend Tommy Edman now? $20M AAV?

by fumblinbumblin 12/30/2022 9:27:33 PM
Again, that's a lot for a shortstop with little power and questionable long-term value at that fielding position.

by Jeff Gordon 12/30/2022 9:28:38 PM