MAILBAG: May 24

	A-Rod

Q: Given Texas Rangers owner Tom Hicks' recent "break even" comments, do you think there's any chance he might trade Alex Rodriguez? If so, would the New York Yankees move Derek Jeter to another position to make room for him? I know Jeter is a terrific player, but A-Rod is the better shortstop and the Yanks have the cash. -- Bob Warja, Tinley Park, Ill.
PWG -- Hicks will not trade A-Rod. He's arguably the best player in the game, and a franchise person worth whatever he's making, especially as they break in young players.

Q: I personally will continue to boycott Major League Baseball until there is a labor agreement. If there's a strike this year, it will be my last as a fan of baseball, and many of my friends feel the same way. Do Bud Selig and the players union understand that baseball is the fans' game? -- Steven Williams, Waterford, Mich.
PWG -- No. Owners and players believe everyone will come back, although they did not in years past in all cities.

Q: Why don't more batters hustle out of the box and try to beat out infield hits? I'm convinced that if every batter ran out ground balls like Vladimir Guerrero, the chances of the defense committing an error would increase. Am I wrong in assuming this? -- Kevin Berry, La Mirada, Calif.
PWG -- You're right. There is no call for players not running balls out. What's so tough about that? If one were a Mets fan and watched Wednesday's game in Philadelphia, one would have the right to scream.

Q: Is there any hope for the Minnesota Twins after this season? Is baseball still bent on getting rid of them? Can anybody save them now? -- Ben, Boise, Idaho
PWG -- The ballpark bill passed by the state legislature is unacceptable and owner Carl Pohlad won't sell ... so I have a bad feeling unless something happens in the labor world.

Q: Colorado Rockies starter Mike Hampton is obviously unhappy. Would a trade for Ken Griffey Jr. be possible? They have similar contracts, the Cincinnati Reds have three solid outfielders and the Reds need a solid pitcher like Hampton when the playoff run approaches. -- Ryota, Denver
PWG -- It's a great idea, but the Reds aren't going to put that kind of investment into a pitcher making Hampton money.

	Foulke

Q: Could Keith Foulke possibly be the answer to the Chicago White Sox search for another starting pitcher? Even though Foulke has been one of the best closers in baseball the past few years, he could make the conversion to starter over the course of the next month. Not being a power pitcher, his arm would have an easier time making the adaptation physically. -- Brian Godish, Carol Stream, Ill.
PWG -- Very perceptive. Foulke could start, but he's so good at what he presently does that it won't happen. Anyway, Jon Garland is coming, and he has the stuff to be a top-of-the-rotation starter. He and Dan Wright have made me believe that the White Sox are assembling the staff to win the AL Central and be a serious threat in the playoffs.

Q: If Andy Pettitte doesn't come back to form, do the New York Yankees win the AL East? -- Martin Wadd, West Point, N.Y.
PWG -- It depends on what players they trade for, presuming there's no strike. I can see them making a serious bid for Bartolo Colon or Jeff Weaver if it happened.

Q: For the last nine years, all we've seen is underachievement from the Toronto Blue Jays. The organization has the talent in the minors and has made some nice deals but seems stuck in mediocrity. What initial steps would you take as GM to get them back on track to at least compete for the wild card? -- Jaime North, Shippensburg, Pa.
PWG -- They are now doing what they should have done long ago, but in a market that had the sixth-lowest revenues in the majors last year they must clear payroll. They have some good young positional players, but I doubt they can get young pitchers for their outfielders, which seriously limits them.

Q: Will the Chicago Cubs ever wake up and play with passion? Kerry Wood has been the only player to speak up and ask his teammates to play with some heart. On the major-league level, why is it that players need extra motivation to perform? -- Nathan Schmidt, Fort Wayne, Ind.
PWG -- If they can get Bobby Hill on base and Moises Alou and Fred McGriff hitting, they will appear livelier. But they are not a big personality team right now, and they look dead when they don't score.

Q: I'm a Yankee fan attending college in Boston. As if that weren't bad enough, both of my roommates are Boston Red Sox fans. Every day we argue about who the best second baseman in the American League is. What's your opinion? -- Jeff Schaible, Boston
PWG -- Alfonso Soriano.

Q: Do you think Boston starter Derek Lowe's success will fade as the season progresses and teams are able to scout him more or face him for a second time? -- Lee Insinga, Cooperstown, N.Y.
PWG -- The A's faced him twice in a week and did nothing. The extra 25 pounds, conditioning and the addition of his cutter and command on both sides of the plate should keep him from fading.

Q: In your May 18 edition of Diamond Notes, you talked about the Atlanta Braves and angry AOL stockholders. Were you saying that this will impact whether they can re-sign Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine? Or will the Braves continue to spend the necessary money to stay successful? -- Josh Robert, Haughton, La.

	Glavine

PWG -- Thus far, GM John Schuerholz and Stan Kasten have been allowed to run the Braves as they see fit within the budget, and they've obviously done a brilliant job. But if AOL has to cut back this winter and the Braves on paper are losing, then there's a chance they will have to pare payroll. And it may be that they can't afford both Hall of Famers.

Q: I've noticed that since the NFL introduced the salary cap, the league has been much more competitive and exciting. Case in point: the Patriots. Why doesn't MLB see that a salary cap would do the same for baseball? -- Brian Sorenson, Minneapolis, Minn.
PWG -- I think sharing a percentage of the gross with a cap and a floor would work, but not as long as the players and owners don't trust one another.