January 5

Q: With a new stadium on the horizon and new "turf" next year at the Vet, what are the chances of the penny-pinching Phillies keeping Scott Rolen and Mike Lieberthal? --Mike Cummings, York, Pa.

Gammons: You have every right to be afraid, but if the 2001 grass is encouraging and it looks as if they will get a park, my guess is that their first priority will be to sign Rolen, then turn to Lieberthal. They have to get the small-market perception out of the players' minds. Rolen is the most important piece of their future puzzle.

Q: Why do you think the White Sox didn't sign a veteran pitcher this offseason to go with all of their young guys? I see Kent Bottenfield just signed with the Astros, wouldn't he have been a good fit? Are there any free agents left to sign who could bring a veteran presence to the Sox? --Al, Chicago

Gammons: Ken Williams thought long and hard about this, but he has excellent medical reports on Eldred and Baldwin. Then he wants to give some of their kids the right shot. Jon Garland can be great, Jon Rauch can be as well, and so can Kip Wells. The 2001 upside for each is higher than a Bottenfield, although I think Kent is a fine NL pitcher.

Q: Do you think the Padres are taking the necessary steps to climb out of the cellar? What free agent do think would help them the most? Who should they let go? --Stephen McCook, San Diego, Calif.

Gammons: No GM works harder and proposes more trades than Kevin Towers, and now that he's decided to keep Nevin, I think they have to wait this season out, try to eventually get a shortstop and corner outfielder via trade(Woody Williams?) and move on. Towers, Ted Simmons, et al deserve trust.

Q: What else do the Brewers need to become contenders in the NL Central? What do you think about the addition of Jeffrey Hammonds? Is he worth it or just another overpriced Major League baseball player? --Joe Hennen, Milwaukee, Wis.

Gammons: First, they need Jeffrey Hammonds, Geoff Jenkins, Richie Sexson and Jeromy Burnitz to have big seasons, which they can. Then they need Ben Sheets, Jamey Wright and one more young pitcher to step forward. I think this may be a sleeper team, especially because I think Dean Taylor has worked hard to get in the right direction, especially hiring Bill Lajoie. I really like Dean's judgement and work ethic.

Q: Was wondering if the White Sox will still have enough to win the Central again? And who do you think will step up as the number one guy from that talent rich pool of young pitching? --Dave Bufka, Chicago, Ill.

Gammons: My gut is that they will have a hard time winning 92 games, because of the things that happen to teams the year after a quantum leap. I, too, worry about the front end of the staff, although I think Garland, Rauch and Wells in 2002 could be outstanding. Joe Crede is probably a year away at third. But, that said, Jerry Manuel deserves the benefit of any doubt as far as working things out. The ChiSox are going to be bigtime players the next five years, but 2001 might be their one year under 90 wins. So 87-75? Then 93-95-92-97? I think this franchise is set up to win, and I think Jerry Reinsdorf will do anything to win.

Q: I am a lifelong KC resident and Royals fan who would like to know what are the chances that Johnny Damon will still be in a Royals uniform at the All-Star break? --Mike Rice, Kansas City, Mo.

Gammons: You should be worried. Allard Baird, who is one of the bightest men in the game, says that if they open the season with Damon, he'll stay, but the leaning is towards trading him. The Mets are back in, and an unknown team, but not the Dodgers. He's started to talk to Mike Sweeney, a 2002 free agent, but I'm told that he has no chance because of David Glass. The Royals made a big leap, and the window is already closing.

Q: What do you think on the Mets situation? --Will Bishop, Lynbrook, N.Y.

Gammons: Steve Phillips never stops working, and he'll do a couple of big things. He wants David Wells, and may get him, although he can't deal Jay Payton in such a trade. They're in on Juan Gonzalez, although I think the park factors favor Cleveland. Tim Salmon? They're interested, but the Angels don't deal with New York.

Q: Who do you think the best leadoff hitter in the game is now? --Jason, N.Y.

Gammons: Darin Erstad, for everything he brings.

Q: Does 500 homers put guys like Jose Canseco, and Rafael Palmiero in the HOF? Or would 3000 hits put Harold Baines in? --Erik C. Powell, Chicopee, Mass.

Gammons: No, because home run records have changed and the DH has allowed longevity. I actually think that of the three, Palmeiro has a legit shot, Canseco no shot without 650 homers and Baines' best hope is that he not only was a great hitter, but a great person.

Q: Has anyone definitively concluded what the cause(s) of Robin Ventura's woeful season can be attributed to? --Nick Pieratos, Fort Lee, N.J.

Gammons: Robin was injured in about 17 places last year, has worked hard this off-season and my guess is that he will come back and hit .300 with 25 homers. Believe me, you wish he was your next door neighbor.

Q: I was wondering if there is any truth to the rumor that the D-backs are looking to trade for Tim Salmon? What do you think the D-backs chances are this season? --Bret Armstrong, Mesa, AZ

Gammons: There is truth to it, but with no farm system, they'd thin out their strength, which is pitching. Also, how much money can they defer before it comes due?

Q: Why did the Angels let Jason Dickson and Seth Etherton go when they are in dire need of good arms?--Jon Schulman, Bayside, N.Y.

Gammons: Dickson has had physical problems and could have been worth more than his current value in arbitration, and they felt they had to get a shortstop, hence the Wilmy Carceres trade. They think Etherton is a No. 4-5 starter, tops.

Q: Now that the deadline has passed to send in your HOF ballot, can you help me understand why so many voters have a problem with Luis Tiant? His lifetime numbers are also well within past inductees. It seems he is falling to the same fate as Gino Cappeletti in the Football HOF voting. Does time hurt his chances? --David Bilodeau, Salem, Mass.

Gammons: Read Bill James on Tiant vs. Hunter. There is no way Luis doesn't belong in the Hall, but there are too many people voting who know nothing but some blank stat sheets. Best money pitcher of the 1970s was Tiant, best in the 1980s Jack Morris, and the three best players not in the Hall are Ron Santo, Tiant and Morris.

Q: I'm wondering about the status the Red Sox, Juan Pena? --Michael Shea, Los Angeles, Calif.

Gammons: They hope he'll be ready by mid-season, when he could be a big help in a number of roles. He can pitch.

Q: With all this talk of where to move a team like the Twins, Expos, Devil Rays, etc. Has there been any thought of putting another team in a major market such as NY? Remember they did support 3 teams before.--Dan Adamson, Vienna, Va.

Gammons: Very good question. Yes, but Steinbrenner and Wilpon would kill it. I'm very worried about the future in Montreal, Minnesota, San Diego and Tampa.

Q: With the signing of Charles Johnson to the Marlins and the signing of Todd Hundley to the Cubs, what will the Dodgers do about catcher for the 2001 season?--Dominic Ascencio, Pomona, Calif.

Gammons: They plan to use Chad Krueter, Angel Pena and Paul LeDuca. Personally, I felt they missed the boat on Sandy Alomar.

Q: Who's going to be the starting catcher in Colorado, Ben Petrick or Brent Mayne?--Mike, Dearborn Heights, Mich.

Gammons: They'll eventually split time. Petrick is athletic and talented, Mayne a solid staff guy.

Q: What do you think of the Expos rotation for 2001? Also, I wanted to recommend Sarah Harmer's CD "You Were Here", and Elliot Smith's latest, "Figure 8". After looking at your top ten for 2000, those two seem right up your alley. Thanks. --Matt Wheeler, Jamaica Plain, Mass.

Gammons: Thanks, I will go out to Newbury Comics Saturday and buy them both. I think the Expos will be better, but right now the sleeper in that division is Florida. IF, and it's a big if, Pavano, Armas, Urbina and Donnie Bridges are healthy, they will be much better. But they still have a team that swings at everything and is thin in second line pitching. Steve Kline will be missed.