MAILBAG: June 10

Q: Due to the lack of offensive production from everyone not named Barry Bonds in a San Francisco Giants uniform, is there any chance they will trade for some offense? -- Brandon, Fresno, Calif.

	Aurilia

PWG -- First, Rich Aurilia and Jeff Kent are starting to hit to their norms. Most years, owner Peter Magowan holds back $3 million to $5 million for GM Brian Sabean to utilize if they're in it on July 31. But this year, with the slight decline in ballpark revenues and the threat of a strike, there is a question as to whether or not they can do it because of all the debt serviced on the park.

Q: I'd like to see the Boston Red Sox go after either Bartolo Colon or Mike Hampton. I'm just afraid about what they'd have to give up for either of them, including prospects given the new owner's edict to rebuild the farm system. Do you see Manny Ramirez as a possible trade candidate? What about Manny back to Cleveland for Colon and Jim Thome? -- Jeff Himmelright, Las Vegas, Nev.
PWG -- First, Manny's contract is unmovable because of its length and amount. Second, they need him in the middle of that lineup. If the Cleveland Indians move those players, they have to get three to five prospects, 26 and younger. I still think there's a chance Cleveland will sign Thome; he belongs there.

Q: Why doesn't Mariano Rivera develop a breaking-type pitch, like a splitter or a slider? Or an off-speed pitch like a changeup? He's obviously still a great pitcher, but people are hitting him much better this year. How much better would he be if he could set up a splitter or slider? -- Phil Talamo, Warren, N.J.
PWG -- There's a good chance he will next offseason, but this spring he told me, "Why fix anything if it's not broken? I haven't had hitters convince me yet that I need something else." He was right. He did one thing and did it extremely well. But now he may work on something, and having watched him work as a starter back in the mid-'90s, I would say he can and will come up with a diversity pitch.

Q: Considering the position the Seattle Mariners are in this season, what additions or changes do they need to make before the trade deadline to have a legitimate shot at the World Series? -- Bryan Jayne, San Francisco
PWG -- The Chris Snelling injury was a horrible loss, so now they probably need another bat, and they may need another pitcher, either a power reliever or starter, depending on where they want to use Rafael Soriano and Joel Pineiro in the postseason. They also need a lefty reliever.

Q: The New York Mets picked up Scott Kazmir with the 15th pick in the draft. I read he was the top player in the draft. Was his value lowered due to his contract demands? -- Doug Rowan, Wantagh, N.Y.
PWG -- Signability is an issue, but Kazmir wants to sign. Still, teams were worried that he'd cost $4.5 million to $5 million. But Brian Peters and Jeff Moorad are deal makers, and I'm very certain he will sign with the Mets.

Q: With issues of signability coming up often when talking about the draft, how are the Montreal Expos, with their murky future (if any), expected to be able to sign any of their draft picks? -- Brad Cramer, El Dorado, Kan.
PWG -- It will be interesting. One agent I talked to said he wants contraction language, i.e., specifics as to what will happen to his client if there is contraction. The way all offers have to be screened and approved by the Commissioner's Office Screening Center -- MLB attorney Frank Coonelly -- it's unlikely any of the offers will be good. This whole process is a lawsuit waiting to happen. Scott Boras, step forward.

Q: The Milwaukee Brewers spend $50 million to field an awful team in a small market with a small following. Eight of the nine teams below them in salary have a higher winning percentage. Why doesn't the league ever consider contracting the Brewers? -- Tommy McCormick, Lake Elmo, Minn.
PWG -- The team's performance has nothing to do with contraction -- it's revenue. The Twins had been second to last in revenues behind Montreal for five straight years. The Brewer revenues are high. Competency isn't the issue, obviously, because Terry Ryan has built a deep organization, and the Brewers are struggling to find an organizational personality.

Q: I've heard much talk lately about the imminent discontinuation of the DH in the American League. One person on a sports radio talk show even said it could be gone as early as 2004. Have you heard the same talk? What's your thoughts on these rumors? -- Big baseball fan, Las Vegas
PWG -- The Players Association will not allow the end of the DH.

	Ankiel

Q: Will the St. Louis Cardinals ever see any production from Rick Ankiel again? -- Craig Bogle, Decatur, Ill.
PWG -- I don't know, the Cardinals don't know, no one knows. Rick believes he'll be back, and I hope he takes his time. Please root for him, he's a very good person; the special talent is secondary.

Q: I've been through hot streaks before with the Anaheim Angels, so what's going to give me hope that they'll be in the race until the end this year instead of fading by August or early September again? -- Tom Cammalleri, Simi Valley, Calif.
PWG -- First, they have five starters, not three, and Kevin Appier and Aaron Sele have been through 162 wars. And I think Ramon Ortiz, Jarrod Washburn and Scott Schoeneweis have learned. Second, they know they need to add two or three players worth of depth, and maybe they'll do it with new ownership coming in.

Q: Are the Cincinnati Reds good enough to get to the playoffs and be successful there? Or do you expect them to fall apart? And what, if any, trades need to be made for the Reds to be a force in the postseason? -- Greg Erpenbeck, Union, Ky.
PWG -- If they can get Ken Griffey Jr. healthy once and for all, and if GM Jim Bowden can get one or two quality starters, I believe they can stay in it all year. Then you never know.

Q: Will the Los Angeles Dodgers take on some additional salary and go after a bat at the trading deadline? If so, how about Cliff Floyd or Scott Rolen? -- Kevin Koehler, New York, N.Y.
PWG -- The Dodgers say they won't, and the Murdoch people aren't enamored with baseball, but if there's someone out there ... yes, I think they'll make a move. But I think if Floyd goes anywhere, it's the Yankees.

Q: I've watched Ryan Klesko gradually mature over the last few years and it has been a thing of beauty. Do you think he is on the cusp of becoming a superstar? This year he has been punishing both lefties and righties. And recently I watched him get intentionally walked in the first inning, a fate usually reserved for Barry Bonds. -- Barry, San Diego
PWG -- Now that Klesko is so adept at hitting lefties and has become so consistent and patient, he's a star. Maybe not a superstar, but a prime-time middle-of-the-order player.

Q: Is MLB going to do something about the way All-Stars are selected? Doesn't anyone see a problem? Roberto Alomar is ahead of Jose Vidro by over 100,000 votes among NL second baseman. Are you kidding me? Rich Aurilia is second among shortstops. He has a .260 average and 13 RBI in the 38 games he's played. Moises Alou (.205, 16 RBI, 43 games) fifth among outfielders? Will the rules ever change so the most deserving players represent their leagues? Voting should not be a name-recognition contest. -- Hernan, Lawrence, Mass.

	Vidro

PWG -- I know what you're saying, and it should be a great race at second base in the National League between Vidro and Junior Spivey. But it's the fans' exhibition, and if they want Cal Ripken back, fine, bring him back. I think it's better today because of the Internet voting, not just someone blindly punching every one of his team's players at the park.

Q: Logic would indicate that the Philadelphia Phillies are looking to trade Scott Rolen, who decided not to sign with the club for next year. What would GM Ed Wade look to acquire for him? And could Pat Burrell move to third? -- Tim Bergner, Lititz, Pa.
PWG -- I don't think they'd move Burrell to third because of Chase Utley. They could move Burrell to first and put Marlon Byrd in either center or left and trade for a bat in left as well as a veteran pitcher. Or they could deal him for a first baseman. On Baseball Tonight I suggested something built around Rolen and Randy Wolf for Sean Casey and Aaron Boone, which some clowns thought was a real trade. The Reds don't seem to like Wolf as much as I do, but they wouldn't be getting Randy Myers.