Q: As a longtime Atlanta Braves fan, I was disturbed to read Brian Jordan's comments after being traded in the Gary Sheffield deal. He described the situation as being "stabbed in the back." In your opinion, did the Braves mistreat Jordan at all during this process? And if they did not, do players typically have this vehement of a reaction to being dealt? -- Turner Buford, Cambridge, Mass.

	Jordan

PWG -- I understand all Jordan has done for that organization in trying to help keep John Smoltz and recruit others. He has always been willing to play hurt, and when healthy he has been a big-game player with enormous heart. But Braves GM John Schuerholz has to try to win it all this year, with Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine at the end of their contracts, and with perhaps Schuerholz himself retiring at the end of the year. Both men are right: Jordan the betrayed, Schuerholz the GM.

Q: With all the trades in the NL East, who do you think has the edge in 2002? -- Eric, Chesterfield, Va.
PWG -- If Rafael Furcal and Javy Lopez are healthy, the Braves. Now, while the New York Mets have some questions about their pitching, so do the Braves. I thought starter Odalis Perez (dealt to the Dodgers in the Sheffield trade) had a chance to be a 15-game winner and the No. 3 starter. We don't know about Kevin Millwood's arm -- remember, the Braves were trying to deal him earlier -- and Albie Lopez is, at best, a question mark. So while the Mets might need another starter, so might the Braves.

Q: Can you break down the Barry Bonds deal for us? Was he worth the money, and will he perform at a high level for the length of the contract? What will it take for the San Francisco Giants to be a World Series threat? -- Brian Brill, Pottsville, Pa.
PWG -- In the end, in present-day value, he comes in right around Sammy Sosa and Carlos Delgado, a good signing for the best modern player, no matter his age. The deal costs the Giants only $10.5 million and $11.5 million the next two years, which allows them to keep another pennant contender at what now looks like $72 million. Barry wants to be part of history, and he has to play a lot to kick in the fifth year, so I think this works for everyone.

Q: What is the closer situation for the Arizona Diamondbacks going into the season? Will it be Bret Prinz until Matt Mantei is ready? -- Patrick Laverty, Cumberland, R.I.
PWG -- Byung-Hyun Kim should have no hangover from the World Series, and with Prinz and both Mike Morgan and Greg Swindell, Bob Brenly has depth to play with.

Q: Now that the name Enron conjures up images of shredded documents and shattered lives, will the Astros change the name of their home field? Enron Field sounds about as appropriate as Phillip Morris Arena. -- Drew Magary, New York, N.Y.
PWG -- I imagine they will. Since this naming-rights deal was over 30 years, it could cost Drayton McLane a lot of money.

	Patterson

Q: With what the Chicago Cubs have accomplished this offseason, should we expect them to seriously contend for the NL Central crown and consequently an unprecedented trip through the playoffs to the World Series? -- K-RAJ, Chicago
PWG -- I think there are a lot of variables with the Cubs because of age, but the eventual arrival of young players like Bobby Hill and Corey Patterson can change that. If the bullpen holds up, they could have great pitching, because the rotation could be dominant if Kerry Wood keeps his comeback curve and Juan Cruz is as good as advertised.

Q: My hometown Seattle Mariners have been blessed with a great hitter in Edgar Martinez. Now with Gary Sheffield on TBS, man, I can hardly wait ... if only the Mets were broadcast nationally so I could watch Mike Piazza, too. As a journalist who gets to see a lot of great hitters that fans might not be able to, who are your favorites? -- J.W. Bennett,Seattle
PWG -- I love to watch different styles: Edgar, because of the way he stays inside the ball; Barry Bonds, for his quickness and incredible hand-eye coordination; Jason Giambi, for his patience and force; Manny Ramirez; Sammy Sosa, for his constant improvement; Lance Berkman and Jeff Bagwell; Brian Giles; Alex Rodriguez; Ken Griffey Jr. ... the list goes on, and it's long.

Q: What do you think of the starting rotation for the Chicago White Sox? Mark Buehrle, Todd Ritchie and Jim Parque seem set, and Jon Garland looked real promising in the second half of last season. I guess the fifth starter could be either Dan Wright, Rocky Biddle or even Jon Rauch. Is this a playoff-caliber rotation? -- Brian Steele, Chicago
PWG -- Certainly, when one considers the bullpen depth and how good the offense can be. Buehrle is a No. 1 or 2 starter, and don't count out a kid named Corwin Malone coming along in the second half. These guys can sure find and develop pitchers.

Q: It seems clear that most MLB owners care only about making money and that few really care about the game. Of the current group of owners, who would you consider to be among the "good guys"? Which ones (if any) show a genuine appreciation for the game itself? -- David D., Memphis, Tenn.
PWG -- Look, everyone is in the business of making money. You think Art Modell is a good person? This is a business, but there are a lot of owners who love the game, starting with commissioner Bud Selig, the onetime Brewers owner (and his daughter Wendy, president/CEO of the Brewers, has always loved and cared about the game). I've known Peter Magowan (Giants) for 40-something years, and he loves it as much as anyone I know. Bill DeWitt (Cardinals), Bob Daly (Dodgers), Kevin McClatchy (Pirates), Larry Dolan (Indians), Paul Godfrey (Blue Jays) and John Henry (Red Sox) are others who love the game.

	Burnitz

Q: Now that the Mets have missed out on Juan Gonzalez and Gary Sheffield, where do they go from here? Other than Roger Cedeno, their outfield is still weak. Are Jeromy Burnitz or Bubba Trammell really the answer? Also, is Todd Zeile going to be a $6 million pinch-hitter or have they considered moving him? -- Jack Walter, Auburn, N.Y.
PWG -- It looks as if they'll get Burnitz, but with him and Mo Vaughn behind Mike Piazza, that's a lot of strikeouts. They also will get 160 to 180 walks between them and maybe 70 to 80 homers.

Q: Everyone is so excited about the St. Louis Cardinals signing Tino Martinez. Is this truly as wonderful as it's made out to be? -- Morris Wormley, Pleasant Grove, Ala.
PWG -- He is a wonderful person and had a good year. Over five years he's in the middle of the offensive pack for his position, off the charts as far as character goes.

Q: How and where would you rank the Cleveland Indians' starting rotation compared to the rest of MLB? -- Daniel Duch, Cleveland
PWG -- I think it has a chance to fall in somewhere behind Oakland and the Yankees if Danys Baez makes the transition and C.C. Sabathia rebounds from the most innings he's ever pitched (180.1) in his first year in the majors. I strongly believe that Mike Brown will make a big difference as the Indians' new pitching coach.

Q: I think the New York Yankees should trade Orlando Hernandez and Robin Ventura to the Philadelphia Phillies for Scott Rolen, to get the caliber of third baseman they had with Scott Brosius. Your thoughts? -- Amado, Florida
PWG -- The Yankees would love to do that, and the Phillies have serious issues keeping Rolen after this year. But if the Phils trade Rolen, they have to get younger players in the mix because they're playing for their new ballpark.