MAILBAG: May 24

Q: Do you think the Padres have enough to contend in the NL West? If they are contending by the All-Star break, do you see them dealing for a veteran defensive shortstop? -- Eldwin Dollente, San Diego
PWG: I am still skeptical, although I do think they are legitimately improved because of the plate discipline throughout the lineup and the emergence of Ben Davis, Mark Kotsay, Bubba Trammell, et al. My guess is that they will try to get by with Chris Gomez.

	Juan Gonzalez has been productive for the Indians, but will he stick around when his contract is up?

Q: I have heard rumors of Cleveland looking to make a trade for some more young talent for next year when Kenny Lofton, Juan Gonzalez and a couple more veterans are free agents. Since they have so much talent right now on the bench that they do not want to send down to Buffalo when Charles Nagy and Travis Fryman return, what types of moves are they looking to make? Any big rumors or names mentioned? -- Kevin Alcox, Cleveland
PWG: The Indians have tried to find a young center fielder who preferably can lead off for next year. They've talked to the Expos about Milton Bradley and Peter Bergeron, with no luck. If you think about it, this is a tough commodity to find; leadoff hitters are tough to come by, and middle-of-the-field leadoff hitters are very tough. When Nagy and Fryman return, I wouldn't be surprised if C.C. Sabathia went to Buffalo for a tune-up as Nagy shows what he can do, and I would think either Jacob Cruz or Wil Cordero would be moved for Fryman. Cordero hits good pitchers, so he is an attractive complementary bat.

Q: Is there any possibility of the Twins making a trade for a veteran long-ball threat? Are they willing to part ways with J.C. Romero to do it? -- Mike, River Falls, Wis.
PWG: GMs I talk to say the Twins are reluctant to deal. I thought perhaps a Mark Redman and Travis Miller package could get them a bat, but Redman is hurt. They have so much pitching they could deal for a borderline bat like Cordero or Jeff Conine, but I'm not sure they'll do it.

Q: Where do you think Rolando Viera will end up? -- Jim Davidson
PWG: I don't know, but a good friend of mine in Cuba who knows baseball in that country says he is one of the three or four best in the country. He's not a 95-mph guy, but he is left-handed and can work the plate.

Q: Mike Stanton and Mariano Rivera have been used a lot this season. Who can the Yankees get and who will they have to give up to get some more relief pitching? -- Eric Nehs, New York, N.Y.
PWG: They have turned down a chance to get Ugueth Urbina for now because he can't pitch back-to-back days, and with Ramiro Mendoza's arm, they don't want two relievers who can't pitch in consecutive games. Brian Cashman has his eyes on everyone.

Q: At what point is Astros manager Larry Dierker going to have to pull Jose Lima from the starting rotation? If they do attempt to trade him (or simply release him), what teams would show interest in the struggling right-hander? -- Mike Phelan, Houston
PWG: One Astros official said, "We have no fairy godmothers, so we can't find a taker for Lima."

Q: What would it take for St. Louis to get Troy Percival from the Angels? Could or would the Cardinals put together something to get him? -- Jeff Mosley, Fenton, Mo.
PWG: After three years of neck, elbow and shoulder problems, Percival is healthy, throwing 97 mph with his old knuckle-curve and delivery, and thus far is arguably the best closer in the game. He's also on a great contract, for the team. I doubt the Angels would deal him, because he protects their good young pitchers like Scott Schoeneweis, Jarrod Washburn and Ramon Ortiz.

Q: Why haven't young pitchers like Ryan Dempster and Scott Elarton taken that next step to a higher level? It seemed like the signs were there for them to become aces, but after their starts this year what else can you say but "yuck"? -- Scott, Boston
PWG: Dempster will be OK; he may have fallen in love with his slider. Elarton went through something like this last year, was threatened with a demotion to the minors or the bullpen, and after some sessions with his father got straightened out and won 17 games. He is one start away from another demotion with that 6.32 ERA. That kind of inconsistency precludes No. 1 starter thoughts.

	Closer Matt Mantei is hoping he can celebrate many more saves when he returns to the Diamondbacks after his latest injury.

Q: I was just wondering what you think about Matt Mantei and his return. Do you think he will be a top-caliber reliever this year? Is he still capable of getting 25 saves this season? -- Roy Wilkins, Wingdale, N.Y.
PWG: Sure, with his stuff and that team, 25 saves is absolutely possible when he comes back in the next few days. His stuff is electric; his command and durability are works in progress.

Q: Any idea if or when we will see the umpires that were rehired working games? -- Steve, Texas
PWG: I don't believe there is a timetable.

Q: What do you know about the arm problems of Ben Christensen, the Cubs' controversial draft pick? Are his problems career-threatening? -- Greg Golec, Schererville, Ind.
PWG: Jim Hendry thinks the operation went well and that he will come back. But it usually takes 12 to 20 months, so I wouldn't look for him in Chicago before mid-2003.

Q: What's happened with Tim Salmon this year? His numbers are way down. Are people pitching around him or has age caught up? I appreciate your time. -- Nick Haffer, Chapel Hill, N.C.
PWG: So, how're things in Chapel Hill? Hopefully, no one remembers me from my undergrad days. I worry that Salmon is slowing down. Every year he starts slowly, but this is ridiculous, and he looks slow, at the plate and in every other way. He is a big character guy with unusual skills, so hopefully he'll bounce back.

Q: What happened to Roy Padilla with the Indians? The last I heard of him he was hitting 99 mph on the gun and then a couple of weeks ago he was released. What gives? -- Mcpickl, Boston
PWG: Padilla hurt his arm. He is currently rehabbing with the Florida Marlins and will resume his career soon.

Q: Now that John McHale Jr. is in charge of the D-Rays, what will be his first order of business? Also, what are the chances of the D-Rays getting Felipe Alou if the Expos fire him? -- Dennis, Tampa, Fla.
PWG: The first order of business is to try to mend fences in the community. Second is to see if a park is possible. Third is dump, dump, dump. If Alou gets fired, Boston will have first call. He's had enough projects.

Q: Could we eventually see Sean Casey in a Pittsburgh Pirates uniform? -- Paul Girman, Bethel Park, Pa.
PWG: I would doubt it. Casey is the Reds' franchise person, and they cannot move him unless Peter Fonda takes over.

Q: Recent mention of Sidney Ponson on the trading block makes me wonder what's gone so wrong with this guy that even the Orioles would trade him. At one time he seemed to be right up there with Bartolo Colon as one of the next great power pitchers. Can he get straightened out? -- Michael Cummings, Austin, Texas
PWG: Ponson will someday be a 15- to 18-game winner, with 95-mph stuff and three great pitches. He is immature, he has followed some of the wrong veterans on a team that has no veteran leader and is confused as to exactly what he is. Mike Flanagan -- who is one of the best pitching minds I've ever known -- says he will be a terrific pitcher at 28 to 30 years old.

Q: How good is Roy Oswalt? Is there any chance that he will be a starter before the All-Star break? -- Robert Maida, Brick, N.J.
PWG: If Oswalt stays healthy, he is a potential Mike Mussina. Outstanding.