After hearing what I have heard the last 24 hours, it might not be such a bad idea.

First of all, the Cardinals got the devastating news Thursday that Chris Carpenter is not only not coming back this season, he will likely be out deep into next season. The Cardinals have one of baseball's weakest rotations as is, and this makes a bad situation even worse.

With the bad news about Carpenter, St. Louis arguably needs to bolster its rotation for more than just this season. The answer to that situation could be none other than the pitcher the Cardinals defeated Wednesday -- Dontrelle Willis.

The Marlins' lefthander has struggled this season, going 7-9 with an earned-run average of 5.13 and a WHIP ratio (walks plus hits divided by innings pitched) of 1.653. While his numbers have been far from sparkling this season, the chance to pick up a 25-year-old lefthander that can be one of the best in the game when he is on is an enticing one indeed.

And this may indeed be the best time to get him. With his recent struggles, his trade value has likely dropped and he could be had a little cheaper than usual. While a contender might be scared off by Willis's struggles in 2007, the Cardinals aren't really contenders -- not when they are 9 1/2 games out of first place and six games under .500. However, he could help St. Louis next season and for years to come -- he is just 25, after all...

Palmer to pitch in Memphis: Former Caruthersville, Three Rivers and SW Missouri State standout Matt Palmer will take the hill next Saturday (July 28) for the Class AAA Fresno Grizzlies when the Giants' affiliate takes on the Memphis Redbirds at AutoZone Park. Palmer, a 1997 Caruthersville graduate, is 8-5 with a 4.45 ERA for the Grizzlies in 20 starts this season and could have a good shot to be called up by the Giants in September when teams expand their rosters.

The NFL season is fast approaching: It's hard to believe, but the first National Football League preseason game is just over two weeks away, when the New Orleans Saints take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Hall of Fame Game.

As for area teams, the St. Louis Rams kick off the preseason Aug. 10 at Minnesota, while the Tennessee Titans host Washington Aug. 11 in a game that will air on NFL Network.

In a bit of news, Titans' third-year receiver Brandon Jones was ranked No. 8 on FOXSports.com writer Peter Schrager's list of "10 guys ready to have breakout years." If that is true, it could be a good season for Vince Young and the boys in two-tone blue.