MAILBAG: May 18

Q: What's the story on the trade rumors involving Pudge Rodriguez? Is there any chance that this might actually happen, and if so, to whom? -- Ryan McGlynn, Madison, Wisc.
Peter Gammons: I think there's a chance, but here is the first problem: He is a 10/5 man on June 2. So any team trading for him after that time would probably have to work out a long-term deal. The second is that there aren't many teams with the money or the pitchers to trade. The Dodgers would love him, but can't give Eric Gagne and Luke Prokopec because one never knows about the health of Darren Dreifort and Andy Ashby. Odds are he stays and plays it out, but the drums are beating to make this an issue.

	Albert Pujols has been a rookie sensation, hitting .377 with 14 homers and 44 RBI in 39 games.

Q: I know it is still early, but the way the Cards have played lately and what they did last year has me excited. Do you think that Albert Pujols can make a run at Big Mac's rookie home run record? Also, do you see any chance of the Cardinals picking up a better closer such as Ugueth Urbina? -- Robert Davis, Granite City, Ill.
PWG: I would doubt Pujols can hit 50 homers, but let's all enjoy the ride. Yes, I think they can get a closer if someone's looking for young pitching, because the Cards have it. Chad Hutchinson, Clint Weibl and a positional prospect?

Q: Would Larry Rothschild be a good pickup for the Royals as pitching coach? -- Darin Liston, Olathe, Kan.
PWG: Rothschild is one of the best pitching coaches in my 30 years in baseball, and a tremendous person as well. But he's being paid by the Rays and may want some time with his family. Here is my sleeper name -- Matt Keough, now a scout with the Rays and a brilliant pitching mind.

Q: With all the raving about how well the Indians have played this season, does anyone realize that as of May 16 this team still hadn't played a team with a winning record? -- Shawn Mulligan, Maine
PWG: We all appreciate that, and while there are few who have given the props to Minnesota, the Indians aren't close to being in full gear.

Q: With the Montreal Expos struggling and manager Felipe Alou's contract in its last year, is there a chance that Angels GM Bill Stoneman (previously with the Expos organzation) could make a play for Alou to come to Anaheim in 2002? -- Danilo, Calif.
PWG: I would doubt it. My guess is that if Felipe were to manage soon, it would be Boston, if the talk show hysteria drives out Jimy Williams. On Thursday, A's GM Billy Beane said, "I've never seen a manager with better instincts for when to get pitchers out. He doesn't care if it's the third (inning) or the eighth. He understands when games turn." Few do, especially talk-radio types.

Q: What is happening to Luke Prokopec? Will he lose his spot in the rotation when Andy Ashby comes back? He seems to be pitching very well, like he deserves a regular spot. -- Paul Johnson, Lansdale, Pa.
PWG: Prokopec is going to stay, unless I miss my guess. He may be the best rookie pitcher in the league. And while he doesn't quite have Gagne's pure stuff, he has the heart of a Kevin Brown.

Q: If the Astros were to trade Daryle Ward, who would be the most likely pitcher they could get for him? -- Bryan Curry, San Angelo, Texas
PWG: Thus far, Astros GM Gerry Hunsicker has had calls from more than 15 teams on Ward, but he won't trade him because Moises Alou is a free agent at the end of the season and Ward will take his place. The Yankees (no prime pitcher to deal), Giants, Mariners and many others have called, but if they wanted to win -- now -- they could probably get Albie Lopez and another arm (Bryan Rekar?) or John Halama for him.

Q: How possible is it that the Orioles are going to make any attempts to get one of the Reds' power outfielders (e.g. Dmitri Young)? I hear that they are looking to trade one of them once Ken Griffey Jr. is healthy. -- Kevin Paul, Malden, Mass.
PWG: The O's talked to the Reds about Young for Sidney Ponson, and they still could do that. I like Young, for his presence on a team, and the fact that he can be a .300-20-100 guy who will hit good pitching. He will never have big SABR numbers, but he is a good -- not No. 3 or 4 great -- hitter.

Q: When Shawn Estes was placed on the DL; why wasn't Kurt Ainsworth brought up to start in his place? And how likely is it we'll see Damon Minor wearing a Giants' uniform this year? Is J.T. Snow's glove really too valuable to the team? -- Tom Craig, San Francisco, Calif.
PWG: They think Ainsworth needs more time, and he may. I don't know on Minor, and Snow is a great first baseman -- and no stats show the importance of a Snow or Doug Mientkiewicz on the other infielders -- who still should end up with 15-20 homers and 80-100 RBI because of the people hitting in front of him. This has not been a good year thus far for Snow, but we are still early.

Q: Is Toe Nash still in the Devil Rays system or was he a fluke? Also, is Gerald Williams or Greg Vaughn going to be moved for Josh Hamilton or Carl Crawford any time soon? -- Oren Phillips, Pawling, N.Y.
PWG: Toe has done well in extended spring and will go to the Appy League in June. Hamilton has a back problem, while Crawford has done well. The problem with moving Vaughn is his contract.

Q: With Corey Patterson struggling in the minors and Bill Mueller now out for a while, do you think the Cubs will try to get a center fielder, a third baseman or anyone else to help keep them in the race in the NL Central? If so, who have you heard they might be going after? -- Daniel Davis, Helena, Ala.
PWG: Cubs GM Andy MacPhail shopped, but he decided to stick with Ron Coomer at third with Miguel Cairo and Augie Ojeda as defensive replacements. And he brought up Todd Dunwoody to play center. He would like to upgrade, but not at the farm system's expense.

	Tony Clark has gotten off to a strong start after a disappointing 2000 season.

Q: With constant talk of the Tigers possibly dealing Tony Clark and Roger Cedeno, I was just curious as to what players were being offered in return for these two from, say, the Mets, or Braves? -- Craig Wolf, Toledo, Ohio
PWG: The Mets thought they could get Cedeno but then Wendell Magee went down, and they want Clark. The problem is that the Mets are perilously thin in their system.

Q: Since the Yankees have been struggling at the plate so far this year, do you think they will trade for a big bat before the trade deadline? Who will be on the trading block? Will Nick Johnson or Drew Henson see any time in the bigs this year? -- Chad, Johnstown, N.Y.
PWG: I think come July the Yankees will make a big bat move. Johnson for Jason Giambi? I know they don't want to deal Johnson, but he could be the vehicle to get a Giambi or the like.

Q: Who do you think will draft St. Paul high school catcher/Florida State QB Joe Mauer in the upcoming draft? And will he play college football for the 'Noles or professional baseball. -- Bo Sox, West Yarmouth, Mass.
PWG: He's still in the mix as a top-six pick in the first round. It's a tough call. He and South Carolina OF-WR Roscoe Crosby, who is signed with Clemson, are big-time two-sport guys.

Q: I love your stuff, Peter. Can you please tell me, though, which version of the Jays' staff is the real one? The April version or the May version? Also what do you think their timetable is for Jason Dickson, who is pitching great in the FSL? Lastly, would the Twins part with a young pitcher (say Mark Redman?) for Jose Cruz Jr. and a prospect? -- Chris Borden, Joliet, Ill.
PWG: I am very worried about their pitching, and I'd offer Cruz for either Redman or J.C. Romero and an arm now. I'm not sure how good Cruz is.

Q: What do you think Billy Beane will do with Gil Heredia if he continues to struggle? Are Justin Miller or Eric Ireland ready to step in? Also, if the A's are out of it by deadline day, do you see them dealing Jason Isringhausen as well, and what chance do they have of getting a guy like Daryle Ward? -- Daniel, Fairfield, Calif.

PWG: Heredia has been a big disappointment, but I don't know his market. They may have to sit and keep waiting. The name to watch in that organization is Mario Ramos, a lefty who is already in Double-A in his second pro year and is 18-6 career.