Sheffield

	A. Jones

	C. Jones

Chipper Jones in left, Andruw Jones in center, Gary Sheffield in right. Yes, the Braves will trot out a star-studded outfield in 2002. But is it the best in baseball?

Without a doubt the greatest outfield of the modern era was just assembled. Hats off to the Braves organization for pulling (off) this deal. The only question about this outfield is the defensive abilties of Chipper in left field.

An All-Star outfield -- every game of the year! ... Too bad the Braves infield is only mediocre on a good day -- otherwise, with this outfield and their vaunted staff, they could run away with the league.

The best outfield in Major League Baseball today belongs to the Boston Red Sox: Manny Ramirez in left field, Johnny Damon in center and Trot Nixon in right. They have the perfect mix of speed, defense and offense. This is the best outfield the Sox have fielded since the days of Jim Rice, Dwight Evans and Fred Lynn.

I think the Cubs have the best outfield in baseball when you consider all five tools. (Corey) Patterson is excellent defensively, and is nearly as good as A. Jones but without the flash. (Moises) Alou and (Sammy) Sosa are proven capable outfielders, while C. Jones is an unknown and may become a defensive liability.

How about (Shannon) Stewart, (Jose) Cruz, (Raul) Mondesi? You have the best leadoff hitter in the game, the only 30/30 man in the AL, and Mondesi with one of the best arms in the game.

Let's not forget the Angels' outfield: Garret Anderson in left, Darin Erstad in center, Tim Salmon in right. ... Remember this is an outfield that found Edmonds expendable.

I choose Seattle. Three great players, no head-cases, and Ichiro is the best in the league.

While I am biased, anyone would be hard-pressed to challenge the idea that the new Braves' outfield is the best in baseball. Assuming Andruw Jones reaches his potential offensively, we are looking at a combined outfield production of .320, 130, 330. ... In Chicago, Patterson isn't ready. In St. Louis, (Placido) Polanco lacks consistent power. And in Seattle, (Ruben) Sierra needs to retire and (Mike) Cameron is no Andruw Jones. I rest my case.

Barry Bonds, Reggie Sanders and anybody else!

Offensively, is there a better outfield of the Texas Rangers? (Juan) Gonzalez, (Carl) Everett and (Rusty) Greer all can hit for average and power. They may be the slowest and (most) defensively challenged outfield, but offensively nobody can touch them.

Alou-Patterson-Sosa. Name one attribute that you need that this group doesn't have. You can't.

Yeah, the Braves' outfield is OK. But does it really compare to the Red Sox trio of Manny Ramirez, Johnny Damon, and Trot Nixon? Heck no. The Braves have a couple of bashers, but Nixon and Damon are five-tool players to complement the slugger Ramirez. They may play the 7, 8 ,9 positions, but they are ideal for the 1, 2, and 3 spots in anybody's lineup.

Sierra/McLemore, Cameron, Ichiro. Two current All-Stars, an MVP, and a former All-Star. Put Cammy in left-center, Ichiro in right-center and play five infielders with McLemore in the middle.

Are we talking offense or defense here? Chipper Jones in left? It remains to be seen if he can even play that position. Sierra in left? Patterson in center? Give me a break. Why not mention the Giants' new outfield -- Bonds-Shinjo-Sanders? A lot less question marks than those you threw up there.

Any three players the Yankees put out there become the best outfield!

In two years, the outfield people will be talking about: the Astros ... (Richard) Hidalgo, (Lance) Berkman and (Daryl) Ward.

Mark it down. The superstar outfield of the future will be Ken Griffey Jr., Adam Dunn and Austin Kearns. The Big Red Machine will be reborn starting in 2003!

Who cares about the best outfield? No one can hold a candle to the infield of Piazza, Vaughn, Alomar, Ordoņez, Alfonzo.