MAILBAG: July 26

Q: I am a big White Sox fan and my question is, do they still have a chance of being in the hunt for the wild card if Sean Lowe, Mark Buehrle, Kip Wells and Rocky Biddle can continue to pitch well? -- Adrian Garza, Hobart, Ind.
PWG: Management clearly thinks it's a long shot, and there are some more dumps that may come after James Baldwin. I keep hearing that now that they know they can't sign Magglio Ordonez long term that they will trade him. But while that sounds like Jerry Reinsdorf, I can't believe Ken Williams would go for it -- and Williams says he thinks he can sign Ordonez. The big question now with the White Sox is: will Jerry Manuel survive? There a lot of rumblings that he may be the next to be fired after Davey Lopes this season. But Williams is a big Manuel fan and even with the reports coming out of the West Coast about Manuel, he's probably safe in Chicago.

Q: Is there any likelihood the White Sox will trade Magglio Ordonez before the deadline? Wouldn't he be the bat Seattle is looking for? What might the Sox ask in exchange? -- Will Knowles, Tucson, Ariz.
PWG: If I'm Seattle, I would add Ryan Anderson to a package of Antonio Perez, Joel Pineiro and Brett Tomko to get Mags. As one former White Sox player told me this week, "This man adds presence to his team from the moment he pulls into the parking lot."

Q: A very reliable source told me that the Phillies are talking to the Expos for a possible trade that would send Scott Rolen and Randy Wolf to the Expos for Vladimir Guerrero. Have you heard anything about this possible trade? -- Eric Stecher, Richmond, Va.
Peter Gammons: I have not heard that, and I don't know if either side would do that. But it's a great question. I don't know how happy Vlad will be in the long run, and I know Rolen is unhappy, but Montreal as a destination?

Q: I hear that the Yankees are a little thin in the minor leagues, but that Nick Johnson and Drew Henson are completely untouchable. What makes these two players any different from the recent lists of Yankee untouchables (ie: Ricky Ledee, Jake Westbrook, D'Angelo Jimenez, etc. ...)? Do they sense the end of a good long run? -- Kevin Mullowney, Englewood, Colo.
PWG: The Yankees cannot trade Henson because of his deal, but they would have traded Johnson in a heartbeat if Jason Giambi were available.

Q: Do you think the Twins should make a trade with the Orioles to get reliever Mike Trombley and first baseman Jeff Conine? -- Darin Clouse, Olivia, Minn.
PWG: I'm not sure they'd pay Trombley, as good as he is, but they need a bat and a starter and I still believe when Cristian Guzman is at full tilt, they will be much better.

Q: I keep hearing everyone suggest that the Mets go after Jason Giambi in the offseason, which I would assume would take a six- or seven-year contract to reel him in. The problem is that Mike Piazza is going to have to move to first base in two or three years. It doesn't seem to add up. -- Leon, New York City, N.Y.
PWG: The only reason the Mets have poo-pooed Piazza to first base is that they want to wait until after the season for the discussion, but your point makes it clear the decision has to come soon. Look, Piazza is already a Hall of Fame player, but he's at the point where most catchers burn out, and he's worked his behind off to be a superstar. It was never easy for this man. He also cares, and calls great games, but the Mets want that bat for many more years.

Q: How do you think Cuban pitcher Rolando Viera will do in the majors? And can he make an impact this season? Does he have a future as a starter for the Red Sox? -- Kevin Bergstrom, Auburn, Mass.
PWG: I doubt that he can be ready this season, because you can never underestimate the cultural shock of a Cuban in our society. But Viera is pretty good, and can help next year.

Q: With the recent success of David Cone, and despite his statements earlier in the year, do you think it is possible he might return to the Red Sox in 2002? -- Mark Liter, Columbia, Mo.
PWG: Yes, because he loves to pitch, he loves the East Coast and he thrives on the passion of Boston.

Q: How much do you think the Braves' defensive problems will affect them in the remaining games of the season? Will they try to make a move to shore up their infield before the trade deadline? -- George Hall, Springfield, Pa.
PWG: They should get better, and if they stick with Mark DeRosa and Marcus Giles, that may be better than going for the Rafael Belliards.

Q: Local sources in St. Louis are saying Big Mac is likely to retire this year if his season doesn't turn around. Do believe Mac's absence on the field and in the clubhouse will actually help the Cardinals be a better team? Some people have questioned his psychological impact on the team. -- Brad Dudding, New York, N.Y.
PWG: No way. Mark is a very positive, team man, and I still believe he's got a great run here.

Q: Is there any team that might need Kevin Young of the Pirates? Who might be interested in Jason Schmidt? Pat Meares? John Vander Wal? I know the Pirates won't give up on Jason Kendall, but how long can you jockey around a player to get him on the field when he is hitting below .250? -- Michael Burk, Bradenton, Fla.
PWG: Schmidt and Vander Wal are attractive, Schmidt because he's a living, breathing starter (Florida?), and Vander Wal because he can hit and is cheap.

Q: It's no secret that the Astros are in need of a big-name starter to get past the Cubs in the NL Central, nor is it a secret that Houston's outfield isn't big enough for all its players. Is there any way the Astros are able to get the pitcher(s) they want without giving up Daryle Ward? I know they don't want to give him up, but he's such a good hitter I'd really hate to see him go. -- Jeff, Austin, Tex.
PWG: They would move Ward to get a Pedro Astacio -- the question is whether Drayton McLane would take on the money and the pitching parts the Rockies want.

Q: Which do the Yankees need more, pitching, defense, or hitting? -- Chris Johnson, New York, N.Y.
PWG: In this order: One more pitcher, then a bat. They need a leadoff hitter, but none are on their radar screen.

Q: As the Mariners run away with the AL West and the American League, they have been looking for a regular left fielder. Is there a trade out there that would make them any better than they are now, or should they just stay the way there are. -- Nick, Spokane,Wash.
PWG: They need a left fielder, and if they can't land Shannon Stewart or Jose Cruz Jr., Vander Wal seems to make sense.

Q: Does draft pick Mark Prior want to play for the Cubs, what are the Cubs offering him, and what does Prior want? -- John, New York
PWG: This is very complicated, revolving around Mark Teixeira and Scott Boras. I think 6-to-8 first rounders will not sign.