Feb. 4

As of Feb. 1, the Indians won't have Kenny Lofton or Juan Gonzalez (barring the mutual option) under contract following the 2001 season. Roberto Alomar and Chuck Finley could both be heading into their walk years after 2001, with Dave Burba, Omar Vizquel, Jim Thome and Travis Fryman not far behind. Should the Indians start trading off veterans for prospects if they fail to make the playoffs in 2001 or don't go very far into October? Who should they keep if they decide to rebuild? If you had to rebuild this team after 2001, what trades would you try to make? -- Erik Cassano, North Olmsted, Ohio

PWG: This is a crucial year to try to win it all, and they think they can do it. Their problem is that in this expanding-revenue universe, the Indians are tied to ballpark revenues; they fear that by 2005 they will be below the median average in revenues and payroll, so they might as well do it now, then retool.

Is there any chance the Mets might move Mike Piazza to first and Todd Zeile to RF; then Todd Pratt could start. In my opinion Pratt is the best backup catcher in the game and Piazza could prolong his career by moving to first now before he has any knee problems. -- Brad Johnson, Nashville, Tenn.

PWG: Pratt is, indeed, a good backup, but playing him every day is another matter entirely. Piazza will eventually wind up at first because of his knees, but he wants to continue to catch and Zeile turned out to be a vital member of that team. It won't happen soon, not until Zeile declines and/or the Mets come up with another everyday catcher.

What is your opinion about the Astros starting rotation? Do you still have faith in Jose Lima and how is Reynolds coming along in his rehab? Do you see the Astros making a run in the playoffs? -- Will Haley, College Station, Texas

PWG: There are a lot of questions remaining. Brad Ausmus should make a huge difference in the staff, and they have raised the fences. They hope Reynolds will be back by the end of April and that Lima will have some restored confidence, but they must get a big year out of Scott Elarton and hope that Octavio Dotel finds a third pitch, plus feel and concentration to last 6-7 innings. Don't be surprised if Roy Oswalt walks in and takes a spot.

Is John Rocker going to be THE closer in Atlanta this season, or will Bobby Cox use the same "closing by committee" routine that he used for the most part throughout September with Rocker, Mike Remlinger and Kerry Lightenberg? Also, how is Billy Wagner progressing in his rehab? Is he going to be ready for April? -- Rob Mattingley, Bradford, Ontario

PWG: No, Rocker goes into spring training as THE closer, and will have to lose the job, which I doubt he will. With Remlinger, Lightenberg and the return of Odalis Perez, they could have a most interesting pen, although they might go get another veteran right-hander if Kevin McGlinchy doesn't come back. As for Wagner, every report is extremely positive, although we'll have to wait and see. I know the Astros helped themselves with Doug Brocail and Mike Jackson, but I still would like to see them use Dotel in the 7th and 8th, not as a starter, because those last nine outs are tough and very important at Enron.

Are the Red Sox 100 percent sold on Brian Daubach as their everyday first baseman? -- Nuts Cipriano, Syracuse, N.Y.

PWG: He gets first crack, but they will look at Juan Diaz, Morgan Burkhardt, Dernell Stenson and Shea Hillenbrand as well. They think Rick Down will help Daubach immensely. Last year Daubach managed to get himself into too many bad counts by swinging at bad pitches, then sat tough at two strikes. If Down can help his discipline, he could be a better hitter, although he is someone who could be impacted negatively by a higher strike zone.

I keep reading in the St. Paul Pioneer Press that there are rumors that some small-market teams that can't compete will be broken up and players thrown into some sort of draft. What is the possibility of this? I don't want my Twins sold off! -- Ryan Radunzel, Great Falls, Montana

PWG: It's something that's been discussed by owners, and the Expos and Twins have often been the teams discussed. It's up to Carl Pohlad in a lot of ways. Baseball needs redistribution of revenues, but it needs to downsize, as well.

Please explain the process of a Major League Club "selling" the contract of a player to a Japanese League team. Does the player instigate the process? Or does the Japanese team contact the player's agent or the player's team to make an offer? What is the typical compensation of such a transaction? -- Ordie, Houston

PWG: It's a complicated combination. The Japanese teams send reps to this country and have contacts, and they let it be known that they're interested in certain players. The players and their agents get cuts, but the teams can make good money. Boston is a big believer in trading with Japanese teams.

Will Butch Huskey be able to help the Indians at all in 2001? -- Steve Klug, Ashtabula, Ohio

PWG: He could, but with Jacob Cruz out of options and Wil Cordero around, I don't see where he fits now that they signed Juan Gonzalez and Ellis Burks.

Peter, what do you think of the Wall Street Journal report on the 1951 Giants stealing signs during their stretch run. Ralph Branca has lived a lifelong sentence for one pitch. Maybe the Giants should have never been in that position? -- Michael O'Connell, Kennesaw, Ga.

PWG: It was a great story that enhances that race's legend, but there's nothing that can be done about it. Stealing signs has been going on since before World War I.

What are the Braves really going to do with Chipper Jones? Wes Helms is a talented replacement, but do they trust him? How does this change their 2001 lineup? -- Chris Young, Oklahoma City

PWG: Right now, Chipper has told the Braves that his elbow feels so good that he will play third, with B.J. Surhoff in left and Brian Jordan in right. Helms and George Lombard are out of options, and must be kept or moved.

How much of an influence is Charles Johnson going to have on Florida's young pitchers, particularly Brad Penny and A.J. Burnett? Could either of them break out like Ryan Dempster did in 2000, or do you think they still need some grooming? Is Josh Beckett still injured as well? -- Louis Smoller, Coral Springs, Fla.

PWG: There is no question that Johnson will have a profound impact. Burnett could be a 13-15 game winner, and so could Penny, although Brad right now has mono and may not be ready for the beginning of spring training.

Will Steve Avery contribute to the Braves? Do the Braves think Leo can bring him back? Do you think he can even be a decent fifth starter? -- Gordon Noah, Joplin, Mo.

PWG: If his velocity picks up 3-5 mph, sure, he can help, because Avery is, above all else, a winner. But that may be a longshot. Root for him.

Any idea what the Royals are going to do with Dan Reichert this year? He pitched fairly effectively both out of the bullpen and in the rotation last year and he's got a great arm. Also, where do you think he'll be beyond this year: bullpen or rotation? -- albert2b Queens, N.Y.

PWG: He'll be given every shot to be a starter, and if he has gotten a little stronger and built endurance, he can be very good. That Frisbee slider of his is something.

Who do you think the Astros will have at shortstop (Adam Everett or Julio Lugo) or do you see Everett being dealt for some pitching? -- Jose Salinas, Houston, Texas

PWG: They have Vizcaino for protection early, but Everett is their long-term answer. Lugo may be a supersub.

I'm wondering about two things. 1) Which level do you place Chan Ho Park in MLB? Scott Boras compared him to Mike Mussina and Mike Hampton. Do you think his comparision is reasonable? -- hokyoungcheon, Seoul, South Korea

PWG: I believe that this is the season that Chan Ho goes out and wins 18-20 games. He's right at that point now, he's gotten other issues out of the way and he's certainly got the stuff.

It seems to me that the Dodgers had a huge defensive hole up the middle. I did not see where they improved themselves at all this offseason. Do you see anything happening there? -- Victor Romero, Alpine, Texas

PWG: They have had worse in the past and won, but I appreciate your sentiments since Kevin Brown, Andy Ashby and Darren Dreifort are all power sinker pitchers. In fairness, Alex Cora could be a pretty good shortstop and Mark Grudzielenek works hard at second and is a superb athlete.

I'm a huge White Sox fan and have one question. How do you think Joe Crede will do? And do you think he will start for the Sox in 2001? -- Frank Gilliam, Burbank, Ill.

PWG: I think Herbert Perry's strong second half merits opening the season; he did a great job, and he can hit. Crede may take a year, but he is a top prospect.

Who serves the best fried clams on the Cape? -- Jeff, New York, N.Y.
PWG: The Clam Shack on Falmouth Harbor. If you're running the Falmouth Road Race, stop and eat, then resume the race.