MAILBAG: Aug. 28

Q: By my count, there are seven AL and eight NL teams that have a decent shot at the postseason right now. Which potential World Series matchup do you think would be the most interesting? Cubs vs. Red Sox? A's and Giants rematch? Pedro vs. Unit? -- David Chen, Berkeley, Calif.
PWG: There are a lot of fascinating matchups, including the ones you mention, and Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling against anyone would be fun to watch. The Cubs-Red Sox would be the romantic matchup, but then to quote Richard Thompson, "Waltzin's for dreamers and losers in love." I think Seattle is still a great story because of all that's happened, not to mention the worldwide focus on Ichiro, so I'll say Mariners-Cubs.

	Hall of Famer Ted Williams hit .388 as a 39-year-old in '57.

Q: Jon Miller said Sunday night that Barry Bonds was having the greatest year of anyone who has ever played past the age of 37. Maybe. But Ted Williams hit .388 and 39 homers when he was 39. Long poke to right, nowhere near the media attention and (I don't care what anyone says) a less lively ball. At least it's arguable. -- Jim Cross, Savannah, Ga.
PWG: Williams did have an incredible year in '57, but I have to say this one may be greater because of the homers and the speed and defense. But Williams hitting .388 was a forgotten great feat. I once asked him if it weren't more remarkable to have hit .388 without an infield hit -- yes, without an infield hit -- at 39 than to have hit .406, and he answered, "No. That was the year I started to lose my bat speed, they were playing me to pull and I started getting behind balls and hitting them to center and left-center." Only Ted would be so great as to say that. As for Jon Miller, everything he says is thought out. Believe me, there have been few broadcasters in his league.

Q: After strong performances in the second half, will young pitchers like Barry Zito, Roy Oswalt and Mark Buehrle be strongholds their teams can rely on, or are they still too young to consistently lead a team? -- Harvey Kay, Knoxville, Tenn.
PWG: I think Oswalt and Buehrle are staff leaders in time, and that Zito, Mark Mulder, Tim Hudson and Mario Ramos can be a great rotation for a long time if they stay healthy. Throw in C.C. Sabathia and Freddy Garcia ... there are a lot of extraordinary young pitchers in the AL.

Q: I read in Newsday (Aug. 26) that Alfonso Soriano will be moving to left field. Torre certainly didn't say this ... and I don't know who the source is. Can you tell me what you know, if anything? I'd really appreciate an answer. -- Bryan, Long Island, N.Y.
PWG: Eventually, when Soriano is a 30-40 home-run hitter, more patient and mature, he will end up in the outfield, but for now it's easier to get the production in left than at second. If they still had D'Angelo Jimenez I'd feel differently. Jimenez is starting to hit and could be a nice offensive second baseman by this time next year for the Padres.

Q: The Royals have become an absolute joke of a franchise. Fans are jumping ship. The Jermaine Dye trade will go down as one of the worst of all time. Now Mike Sweeney probably will be gone soon. What are David Glass and Allard Baird doing? Is this the worst-run franchise in baseball? Why does Tony Muser still have a job? Why do I even care anymore? -- Brett Dwyer, Columbia, Mo.
PWG: I appreciate your frustration, but David Glass isn't going to spend big. Mike Sweeney, for one, never understood dumping Dye and Damon, although money is a big problem in terms of revenues vs. payroll. But if they have to move Sweeney next year because he's a free agent at the end of the season, I would feel very badly for any Royals fan. But I also feel Allard Baird is bright and a solid baseball man with outstanding lieutenants like Brian Murphy, and they feel to fire Tony Muser would be the wrong message to players who sometime have to accept the responsibility for a team's success or failure.

Q: I believe that the Mets made two good moves picking up Matt Lawton and Bruce Chen. My question is where do they go from here: Is it Jason Giambi or Barry Bonds? Or one of those players and, say, Roger Cedeno to give the offense some more production? -- Scott Gavette, Margaretville, N.Y.
PWG: Obviously, a lot depends on whom is available and whether or not there's a signing freeze come Nov. 1. If they can move Robin Ventura, they will have a lot of money freed up, and my guess is that they will go hard after Chan Ho Park -- for the huge Korean population in the area -- and then turn their attention on Giambi, Cedeno, Mo Vaughn, et al. If they decide to move Edgardo Alfonzo to third, they could go after someone like Damion Easley, an offensive second baseman.

Q: Why do the Red Sox allow Carl Everett and Jose Offerman to bat right-handed when it is very apparent neither one is effective from the right side of the plate? -- Dave Linehan, Avon, Mass.
PWG: Offerman has never switched sides, and while Everett does bat lefty against Jamie Moyer, Chris Michalak and lefties like that, he still has a good right-handed swing and his numbers last year were better right-handed. And no one is going to tell Carl to do anything.

Q: With the offensive outburst in baseball the last few years, I have heard most of the blame being placed on a juiced ball and bigger and stronger players. I was wondering if the maple bats that players are using in place of the ash bats could be part of the reason? -- Jason Phillips, Canton, Ohio
PWG: Bats throughout the game are better, not only the maple. They are more custom-built, better-balanced and better wood for 33-34 inches and 31-32 ounces. Players will tell you that teaching, video and equipment are three of the greatest improvements for hitters of the last decade.

Q: The Anaheim Angels are doing well even though they don't have Gary DiSarcina and Mo Vaughn. I think Wally Joyner should come back if Tim Salmon or Garret Anderson go down. I think they should try to get Deion Sanders. Do you think Deion Sanders will sign with the Angels if they make the playoffs? -- Chioke Hassan, Baltimore, Md.
PWG: I'd like to see it because I so enjoy Deion and his energy, but I don't see it happening. Give credit: David Eckstein and Scott Spiezio have done remarkable jobs.