[Ed. note: The United Cardinal Bloggers teamed up to do a progressive game-analysis blog back on May 2nd, and now we present some mid-season questions and answers about the health, well-being and future of the Cardinals. Each blogger submitted a question, and everyone took a stab at answering. Our question and subsequent responses follow; click the links at the end to view the other questions and answers.]

What’s the most radical roster change (lineup, position, pitching role) that just may work?

C70 At The Bat: I’m way too conservative to start coming up with radical notions, but I think it would be at least possible that getting Rasmus into the lineup would spur the offense. Granted, he’d probably struggle as he normally does when going up a level, but if he could start hitting in the #2 hole, say, putting runners on consistently for Pujols, that could be big.

Redbird Ramblings: I think you gotta bring colby up to see if he can give this team a spark. he can patrol centerfield and play great defense and then turn around and bat leadoff or 2nd for you. he is the guy with the "high impact" potential that just my revitalize this team; right now, they look like they were hot during the first half of the 2008 season and are just starting to play like their actual selves; that is scary. I say, bring Raz up and let him play.

The Cardinal Virtue: Don’t think this is the intent of the question but here it is: Bonds. Pujols, Bonds, Ludwick, Ankiel, Glaus–all in one lineup. Filthy. Bonds for league min. If he’s a hassle AT ALL then cut him. It’s a no lose situation.

Mike on the Cards: How about when Carpenter returns, he heads to the bullpen, has to drive the cooler, and McClellan gets an early audition for next years rotation? It’s so crazy, it just might work!

Fungoes: Rick Ankiel as LOOGy, rotating in from the outfield without burning a pitcher. Or Chris Carpenter as closer, as Derrick Goold "broke" back in spring training.

Other discussion:

• CardinalsGM: What type of player or package of players would you be willing to accept in a trade that involved Colby Rasmus in the deal?
• The Cardinal Virtue: What’s more important, bullpen or lineup needs?
• Fungoes: What’s the most radical roster change (lineup, position, pitching role) that just may work?
• Redbird Ramblings: Who do you think will be in the Cardinals starting rotation come opening day 2009? Who should be in or at least get a chance to crack the rotation? Also, come next season, should Ankiel move to right field and give room for Colby to play center?
• C70 At The Bat: Which player or players is the most likely not to be a Cardinal come August?
• Bird Land: Should the Cardinals re-sign Kyle Lohse or save the money and wade into the coming free-agent pitching market for Ben Sheets, C. C. Sabathia, et. al.? How much would be too much to spend on a free-agent pitcher, and where can they find the best value for the contract?

This entry was posted by Pip on Tuesday, July 15th, 2008 at 1:01 am and is filed under group blogging. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.