Some interesting nuggets, or as the French say, "noujays," that have addressed some points made here, including Yadi's body art ... sort of:

*DK57: With all factors taken into consideration (Pujols' deal, Franklin's ineffectiveness,) is a Heath Bell trade possible for the Cardinals?

Joe Strauss: I stand behind what I mentioned last week: A trade for a veteran, rental closer appears the team's most likely move should they seek to upgrade at the non-waiver trade deadline. Bell's name fits the profile.

*Eric: It's safe to say that Tallet will be activated as soon as he is healthy, so that means someone will be going to Memphis. Surely it won't be Eduardo Sanchez. I would like to see Salas stay up, also. Why not send Greene back? I know with Theriot dealing with an injury, extra depth is needed in the field, but Sanchez and Salas need to be in the majors.

Joe Strauss: Unless the Cardinals opt to expand their bullpen to eight relievers, Salas would appear the most likely casualty. He became the path of least resistence in spring training despite pitching well enough to make the club, in my opinion. That scenario may repeat. More and more, it appears Ryan Franklin will rehabilite himself in long relief. There appears little room for Brian Augenstein when he is ready to return from a groin strain. Tallet is still a week or so away. Much can happen between now and then.

*rabmci6: Does the team still have a hitting coach? We haven't heard from him in a very long time? What's his advice for getting more results from the "clutch situation non-hitting Cardinals?" Too many runners left on base, don't you think? Where's Mark McGwire?

Joe Strauss: He's still hitting coach for the team that leads the National League in OPS and batting average and ranks second in runs scored.

*Terrapin03: El Diablo -

Have you noticed a certain sluggishness to Molina's game this season, particularly his defense? Lost in the blown save is the fact that Yadi from seasons past would likely not have allowed the wild pitch or passed ball that added to Boggs' 9th inning problems. Is there an undisclosed injury problem? Is the massive innings load behind the plate starting to catch up to him or is this just a temporary funk?

Joe Strauss: Molina has endured knee issues the past several seasons. I'm not tying the problems to any specific game this season, but there is a reason most clubs begin to fear for catchers' durability shortly after they turn 30. You are not the first to note that Molina sometimes appears to reach more than shift. I would be careful not to ascribe it to lethargy. The acquisition of a starter-quality back-up (Laird) is more than coincidental. I believe Molina will receive more rest this season than in the past.

*bpage: Oh great master of the chat:

Back during spring training, we heard about Kyle Lohse's tattoo covering the scar from his recent surgery. I noticed recently that Yadier Molina has also added some ink on each side of his neck, just below each ear. Is this something new, or did I just not notice it before. Any story behind the tats?

Joe Strauss: It is new, and Yadi has declined to offer any insight. He described it as "personal" during spring training. Lohse and Carpenter have been more open about their body art. Both stances are fine with me.

*B_Ruby: With the hitting success Brett Wallace is now having with the Astros, does this reflect favorably on Jeff Luhnow's draft record? Also, is 22-year old Eduardo Sanchez a product of the development program Luhnow set up in Venezuela? I note that Sanchez signed with the Cardinals when he was 16. Is this the kind of Latin American development the Cards were looking for when Luhnow was brought on-board full-time? Thank you.

Joe Strauss: Wallace is a starting first baseman for a rebuilding club. He is also enjoying a fine start to the season. However, Wallace never projected as a third baseman for many within the Cardinals organization. Such uncertainty doesn't play well when you have a three-time MVP manning the only logical alternative. Obviously, the Oakland A's and Toronto Blue Jays developed similar concerns about Wallace's defense. (The Blue Jays coveted him in the 2008 draft as well.) My info is that Mo' specifically asked in the minutes before the Cardinals chose Wallace whether he could play third base. Luhnow told him yes. That quickly grew to become a minority view within the organization. To puncture a myth: Yes, Wallace helped bring Matt Holliday to St. Louis. But $120 million over seven yeas is why Holliday is here now. Many miss that second fact.Sanchez represents Luhnow's first Latin America amateur sign to reach the major leagues. It is significant. But more needs to arrive given the club's enhanced investment in the Caribbean.