December 29

Q: The last few seasons I have noticed less and less dependable closers. Do you see the game changing back to the days of the complete game? --Jason Christopher, Oakland, Calif.

Gammons: I don't think you'll ever see the complete game era return. But I do think too many teams worry about having one closer who pitches one inning, risk free. Because starters are averaging six innings these days, the seventh and eighth innings have become as important as the ninth. So not only do you need three or four pitchers to get to the ninth, but I think managers realize that-egos aside-it's important to have several pitchers who can finish. Take the Cardinals. Dave Veres is an acceptable closer, but there's no reason for Jason Christiansen, Steve Kline or Mike Timlin to stay in and go the final 4-6 outs and spread out the saves, so if Veres goes into a slump (as all pitchers do), then he can back off his normal role for a brief stretch.

Q: Is there any chance that Dale Murphy will ever make it into the Hall of Fame? --Walt Murphy, Mobile, Ala.

Gammons: Probably not, although, as Jayson Stark points out, had he quit the same time Kirby Puckett quit, he might have made it. Murphy will fall short for the same reason Jim Rice will fall short-not enough longevity.

Q: What kind of deal can the St. Louis Cardinals make that includes Ray Lankford and/or Garett Stevenson for a solid right-handed bat to play left? --Rocky Kern, Phoenix, Ariz.

Gammons: There wasn't any market for Lankford, so Walt Jocketty will wait and see what is available in May, June or July. Gerald Williams, Greg Vaughn, Moises Alou and/or Alex Ochoa could be available by then.

Q: Where do you think Sammy Sosa will end up? Bucky Godfrey, Castelton, Vt.

Gammons: Right now, the market has dried up for Sammy, but that may change in June if the Cubs haven't signed him to an extension. The Mets and Yankees could make sense then, as could the Indians if they don't sign Gonzalez. Or Oakland, Baltimore or the White Sox, all on a short term basis. If he makes it to June, then he'll go back on the market, but what teams will be willing to pay Sammy the money he seems to deserve after a signing freeze will be interesting to watch.

Q: What happens when more than one player has a clause in their contract that guarantees them to be the highest paid player in the game? Logically, this is impossible. --Jim, Boston

Gammons: No fooling. I think you're going to find that the Commissioner's Office will ban these clauses. I don't see anyone topping A-Rod for awhile, but with owners, you never know.

Q: I'm wondering about the Tribe. It appears our window of opportunity may have come and gone. What is on the horizon for the Indians? --Scott Neal, Indianapolis

Gammons: Don't blow off the Indians yet. Ellis Burks is a huge addition, and let's see if they sign Gonzalez or can do a Steve Karsay - Darryl Ward deal; I think Ward is a potential 40 HR, .300 guy. Yes, they have lost a lot, but the good news is that Robby had no problems with Sandy's departure and won't be traded. Russ Branyan and Jacob Cruz are still highly respected prospects. To me, their front three of Bartolo Colon, Chuck Finley and Dave Burba are solid, the bullpen OK. A key will be if Baez and Sabathia can step into the bullpen and rotation by mid-season. Manny Ramirez is a huge loss, but this is a creative organization with more bright young thinkers around Hart than any team in the majors.

Q: What do you know or think of Tim Giles who was recently picked by the Minnesota Twins from the Toronto Blue Jays in the Rule V draft. I think he is a sleeper and will have a better chance to move up in the Twins' system than the Blue Jays' system with Delgado at first. --Rob Huber, Greensboro, N.C.

Gammons: Moving out from the shadow of Delgado will obviously help both Giles and Kevin Witt, who signed as a minor league free agent with San Diego. I still believe David Ortiz can be a productive power hitter with enough at-bats in Minnesota, but Giles will get a full shot in triple-A. Remember, it was a minor league draft selection.

Q: Was Phil Nevin a fluke last year or do you think he has a few more of those seasons ahead of him? If he goes to Seattle will he be able to put up the same numbers? And finally where will Rick Aguilera wind up? --Rob Huber, Greensboro, N.C.

Gammons: Nevin's curve has been upwards for two seasons now, so there's no reason to think he'll become Shane Andrews. San Diego is no hitters' paradise, although if he goes to Seattle, that is clearly a pitchers' park. But I'd bet on 25 HR. Aguilera makes a lot of sense for Texas, but that's a hunch and only a hunch.

Q: Las Vegas would seem to be a perfect location for a major league team. Excellent climate, particularly for night games, several million people in town every day focused on being entertained, plenty of space to locate a stadium and a natural market for luxury boxes (every casino would need to take at least one). It has one of the fastest growing economies in the US and no state income taxes. Any team located there would be a strong draw for free agents. Will Major League Baseball ever allow a team to locate there? --name = Tom Chalmers, Old Bridge, N.J.

Gammons: My guess is that in the next two years at least two teams will be disbanded, most likely Montreal and Minnesota. Then I think Oakland will move to either San Jose or Las Vegas, and either Tampa or Florida-unless John Henry, bless his heart and soul, gets his new park-will go to Northern Virginia. Vegas makes a lot of sense, but I think there is a lot of fear about the gaming industry.

Q: I'm a die hard Braves fan, and I'm wondering what are they going to do with first base and left field? Do you think John Smoltz can be as dominant as he was before? --Jesus Nunez, Dominican Republic

Gammons: Right now, if they keep Brian Jordan, Chipper Jones will play left and BJ Surhoff first base. They'd clearly love to play Chipper in right and BJ in left, but despite Jordan's fierce play, his injury history scares teams. For now. The way Smoltz was throwing and talking in September, I'd bet on him coming back big. Don't you think they missed him in October?

Q: I was just reading that Pedro Martinez is asking the Red Sox to come up with a contract extension for him. What is the likely hood that they are going to do this in the next couple of months? --Brett Russell, Hudson, N.H.

Gammons: First of all, it's hard to know precisely what he said because it was a transcript from a five sentence answer to a TV question. I think the Sox will talk to both Pedro and Nomar Garciaparra before spring training, but they must be back-loaded extensions.

Q: Now that the Marlins have signed Charles Johnson what do you see for their future? --Carlos Jorge, Miami, Fla.

Gammons: In think it's very good. First, Johnson really helps all those talented young pitchers they have, from Ryan Depmster to Brad Penny to AJ Burnett to Josh Beckett. To me, the key to rolling over .500 will be the improvement of Derek Lee (to a 100 RBI guy), Preston Wilson (cut the 187 K's by 25%), Mark Kotsay (to 20 HR, 80 RBI) and Alex Gonzalez. I'm not sure on Gonzalez, but I like the chances of the other players to make those goals. I think Lee may be a star, and for me, Kotsay is a winner.

Q: Any activity or interest from clubs on Jose Canseco? I am a big Canseco fan. Thanks. --Dino, Boston

Gammons: Thus far, none. What a waste of talent.

Q: When Kirby Puckett announced his retirement back in 1996, you did a wonderful piece about his career for Baseball Tonight. As he's now eligible for the Hall of Fame, I would like to hear your thoughts on his candidacy. As you might expect, growing up in Minnesota, I believe his H.O.F. credentials are unquestionable, but I realize that I might be a bit biased. --Joe, St. Paul, Minn.

Gammons: He got my vote, and will make it. There are no stats to measure special qualities, and Puck had every one. It still wells my eyes to think of what the game lost.

Q: Do you think J.D. Drew will play 150 games this upcoming season or continue to be rotated as before? Will Kelvim Escobar be in the rotation or the 'pen? --Terry Marshall, Mississauga, Ontario

Gammons:I don't know if Drew is mature enough to take the grind of 150 games. My guess, 135-140. As for Escobar, Buck Martinez has gone back and forth on this. My guess? The pen. But Buck knows him very well.

Q: What is the status of Andy Morales, the former third baseman for the Cuban national team? Is anyone close to signing him? --Timothy Douros, Boston

Gammons: He is working out for several teams on the West Coast. Originally Boston was interested, but the price was considered high and Dan Duquette wants Lou Merloni to get his chance. We'll know more at the end of next week.

Q: Should the competitive draft be instituted will it change anything? Small market teams drafting high price players and then trading for prospects is what we have now. They'll groom the prospects and then trade them back to the big market teams. This plan doesn't seem to solve anything. --Mike Steiger, Dayton, Ohio

Gammons: This idea, originated by Padres owner John Moores, would spread out some young talent, and it would create a lot of off-season publicity. Great idea. I don't think it will change too much, but it will help a KC or someone like that in terms of talent and PR.

Q: Will Chris Carpenter ever become the superstar pitcher that you and many others predicted? What happened to him last year, why was he so bad? --Rob Johnson, Ellington, Conn.

Gammons: I think the residue from his injury lingered. Then he was hit by a couple of line drives. His delivery, sink and breaking ball were not the same, but they can be and I'd bet will be. Will he ever win 18 games? Yes.

Q: Is Richard Hidalgo the real deal? What about Octavio Dotel? Will he start or close for Houston and will he be effective? --Jess Gearhart, Mars, Penn.

Gammons: The Astros aren't sure Hildalgo is a legit center fielder because of the chronic knee problems and the fact that he's gotten so strong, but he is a tremendous hitter. With Lance Berkman, Moises Alou and Ward, he must stay in center, where he has very good instincts.

Q: I am a big Pirate fan and I am a bit disturbed about a couple of the moves Cam Bonifay has made. Why sign Derek Bell for close to ten million for two years when we already have John Vander Wal? Also, do they actually like Pat Meares over Enrique Wilson or are they having a problem dishing Meares' salary off to another club? What is Bonifay thinking?--Tim Kastagir, Torrance, Calif.

Gammons: I think Cam himself would validate some of your criticism, but remember, all they wanted was to get out from underneath Will Cordero's contract. They really like Jack Wilson, the second baseman they got from St. Louis in the Christiansen deal. They needed a right-handed bat, hence Bell, and they need protection for Hermanson and Aramis Ramirez. Lloyd McClendon is a very interesting man. I'm VERY impressed.