Joe McEwing played Dick Vermeil this morning, trying to hold back teams as he met the St. Louis media on the morning after he was traded to the Mets...for Jesse Orosco.

"I can't really put it into words," said McEwing when asked to describe his feelings.

But McEwing, a keen observer of all that transpires at spring training couldn't have been all that surprised at his departure...

And neither are those who pay attention to Tony La Russa, who made it clear through his words and his actions that McEwing, in his opinion, did not possess the skills necessary to play as a regular on a championship team.

"It's always difficult to trade a player who has been such a strong part of your organization," said Cards GM Walt Jocketty in the wake of the McEwing deal. "We wish Joe well. He is, and always will be, a credit to the game."