MLB   Scores   Schedules   Standings   Statistics   Transactions   Injuries   Players   Message Board   Minor Leagues   MLB en español Teams Anaheim Arizona Atlanta Baltimore Boston Chicago Sox Chicago Cubs Cincinnati Cleveland Colorado Detroit Florida Houston Kansas City Los Angeles Milwaukee Minnesota Montreal NY Yankees NY Mets Oakland Philadelphia Pittsburgh San Diego San Francisco Seattle St. Louis Tampa Bay Texas Toronto   The Roster   Peter Gammons   Joe Morgan   Rob Neyer   Jayson Stark   Fantasy   Player News   Correspondents   Broadcast   ESPN Radio   Video Highlights   Audio Highlights   SportsMall   Shop@ESPN.com   NikeTown   TeamStore Sport Sections
		Thursday, June 28 Dipping into the mailbag ESPN.com
		Rocker When was the last time a team traded one of its best pitchers (statistically) and improved its Power Alley ranking? Don't expect the trade of John Rocker to be the last one that Braves GM John Schuerholz makes this year. Peter Friberg San Diego So, the Marlins take three of four from the Braves at Turner Field and the Braves still get ranked ahead of the Marlins? Does Atlanta get an automatic bump for finally trading Rocker or something? Louis Smoller Coral Springs, Fla. You people give way too much credit to the Royals. The No. 26 ranked team? With the way this organization is being run, they should be below Tampa Bay. Matt Rowland Kansas City “ You finally ranked the Mets where they belong. They have an absolutely terrible offense and Mike Piazza looks like an idiot. Beat the Mets, beat the Mets, come along and beat the Mets! ” —  Jonathan Seibald, Larchmont, N.Y. I cast my All-Star vote for Pat Gillick. Like Beethoven, he has combined a bunch of instruments to create beautiful music here in Seattle. Let the band leader throw out the first pitch at the All-Star Game. Jeff Jager Fall City, Wash. White Sox only at No. 18? They may only be a .500 team, but no one has played better baseball of late. John Pantz Los Angeles Everybody's favorite preseason prediction/joke, "Red Sox over Cubs in 7!!!" is still a possibility in late June? Could the gods be shining on baseball in 2001? Now if they'd only help Pedro's arm. Jared Pray Boston Before you label Arizona's duo as the best 1-2 punch in baseball, why don't you take a look at Greg Maddux and John Burkett. With Maddux's ERA at 2.39 and Burkett's at 2.35, they are Nos. 1 and 2 in the National League in ERA. And if they had gotten any run support whatsoever from the Braves' offense early on, then their records would be better than those of Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling. Harry Brenner Atlanta Well you guys called it, David Bell is leading the AL All-Star voting for third basemen. But ballot stuffing sounds so wrong, call it one city proud to have the best team in baseball and the All-Star Game coincidentally in the same season. Go Mariners, and yes I did vote for Bell about 10 times. Davis Steinnet Bremerton, Wash.		More from ESPN... Power Alley: It's all about the M's While Seattle remains the top ...  ESPN Tools Email story   Most sent stories