Q: By adding Mike Mussina to their pitching staff, the New York Yankees certainly have one of the best pitching staffs in baseball, if not THE best. Pitching staffs aside, the Yankees have seen their offensive output dip the past two seasons. As it stands right now, does the Yankees' offense give them enough to win a fourth consecutive title, or do they need to add some muscle to the lineup? -- Joe Cortez, Merced, Calif.

	The Yankees will likely look for another slugger like David Justice (shown here hitting a three-run homer in Game 6 of the ALCS).

Gammons: Personally, I think they will have to go get another bat in time. They've talked to the Padres about Phil Nevin and have explored other means. Look for a David Justice-type trade come June.

Q: I'm a diehard San Francisco Giants fan, and I have seen what the Rockies and Dodgers have done on the free-agent market. Do the Giants still have a chance to capture the division with staying pat? -- Ulises Gonzalez, Matawan, N.J.

Gammons: Never underestimate the ability of general manager Brian Sabean to be creative, and Pedro Feliz, who hit 33 HRs in AAA, could make up for some of the loss of production when Ellis Burks left for Cleveland. They need a right fielder, and they need their pitching to be as good as it looks to be.

Q: I love the Tigers, even though they have been down in recent years. Last year's rise above .500 late in the season excited me. Are they on the right track? If so, what can they do to get better? Any hopes for the postseason next year? --Bill Tholl, Ann Arbor, Mich.

Gammons: They ran into severe money problems this winter, which is why the Houston deal almost fell through. They will be better, but not better enough to beat Chicago or Cleveland unless they get lucky. Roger Cedeno and Mitch Meluskey give them two good high on-base-percentage offensive players, Brandon Inge will be catching come July, Juan Encarnacion will get better, and they have a terrific pen. They will miss Brad Ausmus and Doug Brocail, however. Character people like them are hard to find.

Q: I feel that sometimes I'm the only person who can't get excited during the hot-stove time of the year solely because I cheer for one of the most stagnant teams in existence -- the Anaheim Angels. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, GM Bill Stoneman and president Tony Tavares promised changes and a commitment to a front-line pitcher either through free agency or a trade. I never saw an effort besides the acquisition of Pat Rapp. Then we missed out by filling a huge need of ours (shortstop) by not only not speaking with A-Rod (OK, maybe I'm dreaming) but not even speaking with Jose Valentin. Then we trade a solid pitching prospect who most likely would have pitched for us next year (Seth Etherton) for a miniscule SS prospect in AA. Please, if you have any idea, will the Angels ever commit to winning or will they always just give the old, "We are a competitive mid-market team"? The few Angels faithful are finding it hard to see past Stoneman and Disney's penny-pinching ways. -- John Prescott, New York, N.Y.

Gammons: Your complaints are valid, and it's a shame. They have one of the great, rare leaders in the game in Darin Erstad. Their core -- Erstad, Troy Glaus, Garret Anderson, Tim Salmon, Mo Vaughn, Scott Schoeneweis, Ramon Ortiz -- is very strong. The job manager Mike Scioscia, pitching coach Bud Black, hitting coach Mickey Hatcher et al did last year was remarkable. The team played as hard as anyone in the league, and there certainly was more atmosphere in Anaheim than Chavez Ravine, just a few blocks down Alvarado Street by the Pioneer Chicken stand. But by doing nothing but resigning Gary DiSarcina and grabbing Rapp, the message is that they are more interested in selling than competing. And that will take its toll. You watch. By July next year, can Scioscia, Black and Hatcher maintain their enthusiasm?

Q: Why would the Jays trade David Wells for Glendon Rusch? At least in a deal with the Indians they would have gotten some talent in return. Also, why did they back out of a possible Matt Lawton for Jose Cruz Jr. deal? Do they want to keep the strikeout machine in their lineup? Lastly, what kept them out of the free-agent market? Manny Ramirez would have been nice and then they could have dealt Raul Mondesi and Wells to the Indians. -- Ryan Thomas, St. Albert, Alberta

Gammons: Apparently, they won't, although Wells' 5-6, 4.97 post All-Star Game record and 266 hits allowed scare them at his age. Gord Ash has worked very hard, and I still think he could move Cruz or Vernon Wells for the right pitcher.

Q: I just read that the Cardinals traded Fernando Tatis and Britt Reames to the Expos for Dustin Hermanson and Steve Kline. I already dislike this trade! Trading two quality young (best-years-yet-to-come) players like Tatis and Reames seems ludicrous. Unless you've heard rumors about acquiring another third baseman? Any thoughts? -- Jan Braden, Sullivan, Ill.

Gammons: When the Cards lost out on Mike Hampton, they felt they had to get pitching. Hermanson will give them 200 innings and perhaps 15 wins, and Kline is one of the best and most durable left-handed relievers in the league. With all the young pitching they have coming -- Bud Smith and Jason Karnuth, for instance -- they felt Reames was expendable. There was some feeling Tatis got soft after signing his contract. I see him hitting 30-plus homers with Felipe Alou.

Q: I see the Cubs signed Todd Hundley -- does that mean he is the new Cubs' first baseman? I also think that Cubs have a solid team except for the weaknesses they have at third and center field. I don't think Damon Buford should be a starting center fielder. I also heard they are not resigning third baseman Shane Andrews, who had a solid year despite injuries. Is Bill Mueller, who they acquired from the Giants, the new third baseman? Do you think the Cubs are done in the free-agent market or are they trying to correct these deficiencies (if they in fact are)? Finally, what do you think the Cubs' season will look like for next year? -- John, Tallahassee, Fla.

Gammons: The Cubs are an overhaul project for Andy MacPhail, and I still think he'll continue to try to move Sammy Sosa. Rondell White and Corey Patterson are long-term answers in left and center, Mueller is a superior defensive third baseman, Hundley can catch and play first until slugger Hee Seo Choi is ready, and former Miami second baseman Bobby Hill will be playing and leading off in a hurry.

Q: I am originally from Boston and have followed the Red Sox for years. Every year there is always hope and enough talent to believe that this could be the year the Sox finally end the so-called hex and win the World Series. Will adding Manny Ramirez to a lineup that includes Nomar Garciaparra, Carl Everett, Jose Offerman, Trot Nixon, Troy O'Leary and Brian Daubach be enough, in your opinion, to get it done? Two years ago all Mo Vaughn wanted was $80 million, what a deal it seems like now! As far as pitching, we have Pedro Martinez. How good is the rest of the staff considering that they have already lost Jeff Fassero, Rheal Cormier and Tom Gordon? I have enjoyed reading and listening to you for years. Thanks for this forum. -- Robert Saunders, Enid, Okla.

Gammons: There's no question that lineup is going to be very dangerous, and with their bullpen they can win a lot of games. They hope their veteran starters (Rolando Arrojo, Hideo Nomo, Frank Castillo) and kids (Tomokazu Ohka, Paxton Crawford) get them by until they try to get an established starter at the trade deadline. They need a long man -- personally, I'd love to see them move O'Leary for Pat Mahomes -- and find a lefty for the bullpen, where they will win or lose a lot of games this season.

Q: Can the Cincinnati Reds win the NL Central this year? Are there any trades in the offing to add some pitching? -- Kurt Goettemoeller, Maria Stein, Ohio

Gammons: I think it's going to be very hard until Pete Harnisch and Scott Williamson have 16- to 18-win seasons. They have a very good lineup, and Ken Griffey Jr. will bounce back with a monster year, but the starting pitching doesn't look as if it can carry them past St. Louis or Houston. Still, never bet against Jim Bowden. If you're a Bowden basher, read the Mark Wohlers story. That's a reflection on Jim.

Q: Do you see the Brewers doing anything? I would love it if they did the Jeromy Burnitz and Jimmy Haynes for Russ Branyan, Jaret Wright and a prospect trade. I am hoping the Brewers could bring in a third baseman and another utility infielder. -- Patrick Goesch, Milwaukee, Wis.

Gammons: Few teams have worked harder than the Brewers this winter, but at this point I don't see what they can do until the Burnitz thing is cleared up. They had that good deal for Nevin, but Burnitz wanted $11 million to sign with San Diego. They tried to get Roger Cedeno, but didn't have the pitching to trade. Right now, their improvement is tied to the maturation of Jamey Wright and the arrival of Ben Sheets, but the system Dean Taylor inherited was a mess.

Q: If the Red Sox want to trade for pitching, why are they dangling Tomo Ohka? Wouldn't he be a decent option in that rotation? Any chance Ramon Martinez comes back if he can prove he's healthy? And what about Bret Saberhagen? Can anyone expect anything from him? -- Michael, Chicopee, Mass.

Gammons: They didn't dangle Ohka. Montreal wanted him as well as Crawford and Nixon for Hermanson, and Dan Duquette thought it was too much. Ramon will not be back, and they are not optimistic about Saberhagen.

Q: Of the following players -- Sean Burroughs, Ruben Mateo, Nick Johnson and C.C. Sabathia -- which one will have the most impact this season? What is your opinion as to the type of players and careers they may have? Obviously, I am a roto-geek, with these players on my roster. You are THE MAN for information. Keep it coming! -- Kenny G., Akron, Ohio.

Gammons: 1. Mateo; 2. Sabathia.

Q: I have some questions about the state of the Chicago White Sox. What are they going to do now since they lost out on Alex Rodriguez? Who or what do they need to go after to become a better ball club? And what do you think about Jerry Reinsdorf? In my opinion, he did a great job with the Bulls, but this is baseball... -- Brian Smith, Oak Lawn, Ill.

Gammons: This quote from a very wise GM Friday night: "Royce Clayton is a major, major acquisition. It changes the entire defense. Now Jose Valentin can play second and Ray Durham center, where we tried to get him to play last winter."

Q: Just a couple of quickies: Where is John Wetteland and why did Chicago trade for Royce Clayton? --- Jason Bishop, Sterling, Va.

Gammons: Wetteland is trying to recover from back problems and will decide in January whether or not to retire.

Q: I am 31 years old and have lived and died with the Yankees all my life (lived happily the last few years)! Have you heard any figures (money and years) concerning the Yankees' negotiations with Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera? I was also wondering if you have heard any rumors concerning the team's desire to trade for a slugger and a potential replacement for Jeff Nelson? -- Carl E. Colaiacomo, Warwick, R.I.

Gammons: They will both get signed, but for a lot more than the $17 million (Jeter) and $10 million (Rivera) they could have had them at last winter.

Q: I'm almost baffled by how quiet things are on the Henry Rodriguez front lately. He certainly had a sub-par year last year, but he really seems to have dropped below the free-agent radar screen this winter. I'd think he'd be a major bargain to a team looking to pick up a solid-hitting outfielder. -- Jesse Needleman, Boston

Gammons: He's on the market and will be one of those January bargain signings.

Q: Why is it that nobody wants to play for the Orioles? Is owner Peter Angelos the reason? -- Dave, Bethesda, Md.

Gammons: Absolutely. Because of Angelos, the only thing this great franchise now stands for is the national anthem.

Q: What do you think the Royals should do with Johnny Damon, Mike Sweeney and Jermaine Dye? I think that we should be able to sign at least two of them, if not all of them. I know we are a small market, but with new ownership I would think that David Glass would want to keep the trio together. -- Paul Hicks, Wichita, Kan.

Gammons: They have to deal Damon now -- they'd like to get Scott Williamson -- and keep trying to sign Dye and Sweeney, hoping the system changes next winter.

Q: How well do you think the following players will develop? -- Chris Pickett, Brighton, Mass.

Gammons:
Carlos Pena, Texas: He will be a candidate for rookie of the year in 2002.
Greg Montalbano, Boston: Look for him to zoom through to AA this season, then we'll see where he sits.
Mike Paradis, Baltimore: Big-time arm, should develop through AA this season and be on their radar screen come September.
Keith Reed, Baltimore: Great athlete, person, best prospect in the organization.
Rick Asadoorian, Boston: It will take time, but he's a great athlete who can play center, throw, run and will hit for power. A-ball tops this year.