Mailbag: Feb. 25

Q: Where do you think Gary Sheffield will end up? -- Matt, Texas
PWG: I don't think even the Dodgers know. The Mets, Tampa Bay and Atlanta are possibilities, but there's a chance he could stay in L.A., although the Baseball Weekly piece by Bob Nightengale could make that difficult. He drove into Vero Friday, so watch what happens.

	After his comments in the press, Gary Sheffield may find himself playing elsewhere soon.

Q: What will Erubiel Durazo's role with the Diamondbacks be this year? The Mark Grace signing does not seem to make sense. -- Mary, Winnetka, Ill.
PWG: They were worried about Durazo's wrist and they felt Grace's at-bats and glove would help the lineup and infield defense. He's such a gamer they believe he will add to their personality.

Q: As a lifelong Cubs fan, I'm glad to see their fortunes finally changing for the better. Especially with their young pitchers like Ben Christensen, Juan Cruz and Carlos Zambrano. Who has the most potential upside? -- Chris Jarrett, Charleston, S.C.
PWG: Cruz may be tremendous, but I'm told Christiansen could step in and be a solid starter in short time, and Zambrano is a power arm with a high bullpen upside.

Q: I am wondering where Mel Rojas is these days? I know last year he was rehabbing for the Red Sox in their minor-league system. Is he still affiliated with Boston? How's his health and what are his chances of being back in the majors this year? -- Robert Lowell, Portland, Maine
PWG: Mel apparently had a couple of setbacks, and is not in the Boston organization. If he gets healthy, who knows? When old Expos die, they try Fort Myers.

Q: Do you think Deion Sanders can really make the Reds team this year and actually help? -- Jason Larrabee, Ind.
PWG: Probably not, but I'm certainly rooting for him. He's fun, he's a good guy and he hustles. The problem is that the Reds have a ton of depth, especially with the acquisitions of Donnie Sadler and Wilton Guerrero, who play infield and outfield.

Q: How do you think pitchers Scott Elarton, Shawn Estes and Dave Burba will handle the upcoming season? Who do you think will shine? Who will fall? -- Joe, Cincinnati, Ohio
PWG: Burba is the same reliable pitcher every year -- 200 IP, 13-16 wins. Elarton has 18-20 game potential with the 'Stros lineup and if the bullpen bounces back. Estes is always capable of that kind of upside and one of these years will get there, but the 14-16 win range is what to expect.

Q: In your article on February 10, I noticed that Scott Schoeneweis had a better groundball ratio than Greg Maddux, Tim Hudson, Kevin Brown, Mike Hampton, and many more of the game's best pitchers. Do you think there is a chance Schoeneweis will ever be mentioned in the same breath as these guys? Could he at least anchor the Angels rotation? -- Luke MacLean, Roxbury, Mass.
PWG: Maybe not quite with that list, but I think he could be one of the game's better left-handers because he has such a great sinker and huge heart, even if he went to Duke (just kidding). He needs to come up with a better changeup. Watch where he is at the end of this season.

	Jay Payton fought through injuries to have a very good season in 2000.

Q: I have had a number of conversations with friends who are Yankee fans regarding Jay Payton and Bernie Williams. Even as a Mets fan, I am not silly enough to think you can compare these two players. However, I have never believed Bernie is a Gold Glover although he repeatedly wins the award. He has absolutely no arm, and although he has great speed, I don't think I'm imagining that he misjudges quite a few balls. Having watched Jay Payton this past season, I was really surprised with his aggressive play and think he compares favorably defensively to Bernie. Any word on what the scouts think or what your opinion is? -- Chris, New York City
PWG: I am a longtime admirer of Payton, not only for his ability, but because of all he went through to save his career despite so many injuries. He was erratic at times last year defensively, but what could we expect after missing so much time? Bernie has the great ability to run down his own mistakes, but I felt the wrong Williams got the Gold Glove -- Gerald deserved it. And watch out for Torii Hunter -- he may be the best in the AL this season if Mike Cameron doesn't win it.

Q: What are the chances of the Orioles trading Delino Deshields and Jeff Conine to make room for Chris Richard and another young player that deserves a shot to prove something? Also, who do you think should win the final two spots in the rotation? I like John Parrish and Luis Rivera. -- Andrew Stasiowski, Wellesley, Mass.
PWG: Sure, there's a very good chance those two will be traded, and Delino would be a fine addition to a contender. The O's need to get young, and that's what Syd Thrift is trying to do with the help of some sound baseball people like Bob Schaefer. My guess is that Parrish will begin the season in a long role in the pen, and eventually start. I think Rivera could be a great closer, but, believe me, Mark Wylie knows a lot better than I.

Q: Silly question, but as a Red Sox fan I gotta know: What's with Hector Carrasco? I mean, I know the BoSox have some kind of talent-sharing deal whereby we hand promising players to the Twins for nothing and/or guys who immediately walk, but why hasn't he signed ANYWHERE? -- Dan, New York City
PWG: I have no idea. Jeff Horrigan of the Herald wrote the other day that he still can't get a job. He will.

Q: I was interested in your opinion on two young first basemen. David Ortiz of Minnesota appears to be ready for a breakout season. Is .310, 35 HR and 100 RBI too much to expect? Also, Derrek Lee of Florida appears poised for a big season. Are you sure he is a .290, 30 HR, 100 RBI, Gold Glove-type player? -- Jim Modungo, Beverly, Mass.
PWG: Ortiz has been handed the Twins DH spot, and if he hits, yes, he has 30-HR potential on a team that desperately needs power. As you know, Lee jumped up last year and just needs more consistent at-bats to get to the 30/100 level. I'm betting on him. He's a great athlete.

Q: My question is what ever happened with Dave Nilsson? I know he went home to Austrailia to play in the Olympics, but is he coming back and if so where? -- Tony Paese, Bowling Green, Ohio
PWG: After the Red Sox decided to go in another direction and pretended that he flunked his physical to get out of the deal they had with him, he decided to stay in Australia.

Q: What does it mean when a player has a reputation as a clubhouse lawyer? -- Jim Harshman, Austin, Texas
PWG: It means that he makes a lot of comments about players and management, that he complains to teammates and picks on everything his manager does. Sometimes these reputations are justified, sometimes not.

Q: Is Carlos Beltran going to succeed this year at the top of K.C.'s batting order? Or, assuming K.C. had another option to hit leadoff (Febles?), would he be better off hitting in the No. 5 hole, between Dye and Randa? -- Eric Lee, Omaha, Neb.
PWG: The Royals want Beltran to concentrate on pure hitting and staying within the ball, and if he went into the five-hole he might let his swing get too big trying to jerk everything out. Carlos can be a great player, but he is still a work in progress as far as maturity is concerned.

Q: What's your take on the Matt Harrington situation? Was it mainly a business decision to turn down the Rockies? I'm thinking he did not want to pitch in Colorado because his numbers wouldn't look good. -- James Dare, Boulder, Colo.
PWG: No, I think this was a power struggle between a GM and an agent. It will interesting to see if two weeks in the Frontier League will help or hinder his value.

Q: I was wondering what type of impact you think Jim Tracy might have on the Dodgers this year. Do you think that with their improved rotation and the further development of Adrian Beltre, they can get to the playoffs? -- Artie Kitt, Wallingford, Conn.
PWG: I think Tracy is going to be a workaholic who can be a very good influence if he gets a chance. The problem they have is their defense up the middle, especially with Brown, Dreifort and Ashby all being power sinker pitchers. Also, this Sheffield business has a chance to be a distraction. Who's got a better ballclub this year -- Choate or Taft?