MAILBAG: July 12

Q: At what point do you think the Mets should start dumping players? What are the likely teams that some of the Met players will be traded to and who do you think the Mets can get in return? Finally, what do you see in the offseason for the Mets, as far as free agents are concerned? -- Michael Cullen, Montgomery, Ala.
Peter Gammons: What the Mets will do is try to trade off some veterans like Dennis Cook, Todd Zeile and Rick White and acquire high-priced talent who are either five-year arbitration guys or potential free agents. They remain in a buying, not selling mode, as they retool for next season.

Q: How will Izzy Alcantara's meltdown versus Scranton affect his standing with the Red Sox? Will it scare teams from dealing for him in July? -- Bernie, Warwick, R.I.
PWG: I don't think Izzy has much real value, although the fact that he can hit a fastball should get him a big-league shot.

	Look for the Tigers to deal closer Todd Jones by the trade deadline.

Q: After July 31, will the Tigers still have Todd Jones, Tony Clark or Damion Easley on their roster? What are they worth on the open market? Also check out the latest Whiskeytown -- a tremendous band that America is missing! -- Tim Michalik, Howell, Mich.
PWG: Whiskeytown is very good. I think Clark and Jones will go before the deadline.

Q: When I see Luis Gonzalez, I see Brady Anderson. Brady was a solid player that had that one big 50 HR season and never got to that level again. Will Luis fall into that same category? -- Don, Virginia Beach, Va.
PWG: I don't think that comparison is valid, because Gonzalez's power has risen the last three years. His swing is more fluid than Brady's, and the adjustments he's made have gotten the ball into the air consistently.

Q: What's up with Bobby Valentine snubbing the Atlanta Braves with his picks for the All-Star Game? Greg Maddux should have been picked, in my opinion. Is there really that much bad blood between New York and Atlanta? -- Joe Clark, Troy, Ala.
PWG: Maddux did not want to go and had no problem with not being picked. Valentine said he talked to him.

Q: How come nobody is talking about one of the major league's new stars, Mike Sweeney of the Kansas City Royals? He is in the top 10 in almost every offensive category and yet he still gets no praise. What's the deal? -- Steven Gormley, Ontario, Calif.
PWG: Around the game, Sweeney is a star, not only because of his hitting, but because of his enthusiasm and presence off the field. In many ways, he's like Sean Casey -- someone everyone wants to know.

Q: Now that the Yankees' offense is starting to produce, do you see them making a move for another starting pitcher or will they continue to pursue a bat? Also, are the Yankees after Brian Giles? I would love to see him in right field next season! -- Bryan Miller, Raleigh, N.C.
PWG: I doubt Giles would ever be available, but I also believe the Yankees will go right to the deadline studying their strengths and needs.

Q: I was wondering what the Diamondbacks are going to do about a closer. Will they stick with Bret Prinz or go with Byung-Hyun Kim? Or will they trade for a closer like Todd Jones? And which player would they most likely trade for? -- Trey, West Monroe, La.
PWG: Right now, they;'ll go with the kids, but they can get a Jones or a Jason Isringhausen. The problem is Izzy would cost them Erubiel Durazo.

Q: What must the Phillies do to contend in the second half? Will any young arms be brought up from the minors for the stretch run? -- Joseph Butash, Dickson City, Pa.
PWG: David Coggin has already impressed, but right now they are trying to deal for a veteran.

Q: Do you think the Indians will try to trade for Pedro Astacio? And if they do, who would the Indians have to give up? -- Eric Rini, Medina, Ohio
PWG: The Indians cannot trade for Astacio because they cannot add salary.

Q: I recently noticed that you've made some referances to Pearl Jam in some of your past articles, and I noticed a PJ poster on your wall during an ESPN commercial. So I'm led to assume you're a big fan. Is that correct? -- David Lavish, Philadelphia
PWG: Absolutely, a band that remains true to its music, not its hype.

Q: Who do you think the Braves will try to acquire now that they have signed Ken Caminiti and who will they mostly likely trade? -- Kevin Colclasure, Fort Lewis, Wash.
PWG: They'll monitor the shortstop position, then what they need most. Kevin Millwood and John Smoltz are huge keys for them.

Q: Who do you think would be the best player for the Mariners to pick up to make a serious run at the World Series? -- Matt, Seattle, Wash.
PWG: Shannon Stewart, but I don't know if the Blue Jays would trade him to Pat Gillick.

Q: All of a sudden the Orioles seem not to be the mess they were expected to be. Prospects like Josh Towers, Jason Johnson, Jerry Hairston Jr., Jay Gibbons, even Fernando Lunar and Brian Roberts, seem like they have quality major-league ability. And the pickup of Tony Batista was a shrewd move by Syd Thrift. Are you surprised at all this? Is it too early for such optimism? -- Michael, Anchorage, Alaska
PWG: No, especially if Thrift could get a Magglio Ordonez in a deal. The pitching is good, and Gibbons was a great draft pick.