News From Jupiter: Carpenter, Pujols, Pineiro...and Izzy???

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Tell Mozeliak he can skip the flowers, chocolates and even the fancy dinner.

All I want is a bullpen.

We've got a plate-full of information to digest today so let's jump to Florida:

• Chris Carpenter reportedly threw a bullpen session yesterday. During the session he was trying to find the handle on his deadly curve. He wasn't quite able to find it, but that is not a big surprise with the spring so young. He'll find it by April 5th. He was also able to throw some fastballs. More importantly though, La Russa told the media after Carp's session that he reported no discomfort in his shoulder or elbow.
  

• Joel Pineiro and Albert Pujols are both considering playing this spring in the World Baseball Classic. Pujols competing in the WBC concerns me (and everyone else) much more that Pineiro. The team is hesitant to give either player their stamp of approval. Pujols is actually scheduled to have a meeting with Mozeliak at some point next week. Albert plans on giving his opinion on whether or not he should participate in the tournament.

• Hall of Fame second baseman, Red Schoendienst, gave the Birds his take on filling the newly opened hole at second. He told La Russa, "If you really need some help at second, I’ll try it."

• And finally today, in probably to most disturbing story of the day, Joe Strauss of the Post-Dispatch said in a radio interview that the Cardinals' front office has been in talks with Jason Isringhausen's representatives and are mulling over the idea of still signing the ex-Redbird save-blower...I mean 'closer.' (I use that term very loosely.) Strauss also reported that the Cards could sign Izzy if he still remains jobless a few weeks from now. I thought we had moved past this. I know I complain about Mozeliak wanting to go in-house too often, but if you want to go after a free-agent, go after an actual closer. Go after a Fuentes, a Juan Cruz, even an Al Reyes...not Izzy. I'd rather see a closer by committee of every rookie in that pen than to ever have to see Izzy on the mound in the ninth again. He was our 'closer' last year when we led the league in bullpen losses (30) and blown saves (30). Is that the kind of performance that deserves an encore?

You can hear the Strauss interview in it's entirety at this link.

That's all I have for today friends. I'll be back tomorrow and we will have just as much fun as we had today... That sounds a lot like Mr. Rogers... Have a great Valentine's!