Clubs line up to deal for former Cy Young winner

	Eric Gagne has struck out 18 batters in 18 innings this season. Ben Liebenberg/WireImage.com

There has been talk of Eric Gagne being traded. Do you think the Tigers have a legitimate shot at acquiring him, and at what cost?
-- Colin Peterson, Grand Haven, Mich.

Yes, I believe Gagne will be moved, with the Tigers, Phillies, Mets and Cubs among teams that should have interest. Figure the cost to be two prospects, though not premium players such as left-hander Andrew Miller.

Why does Red Sox manager Terry Francona continue to put batters with poor averages and OPS in the leadoff spot? Why hasn't he put Kevin Youkilis back at leadoff, especially after the good job he did last year in that position, and his breakout season this year? Also, why hasn't Alex Cora gotten more playing time with Julio Lugo dogging it this year? Seems like Francona could get much more out of his lineup than he has been.
-- Matt Tundermann, Jacksonville, Fla.

All very good questions, especially about how often Lugo has hit leadoff. I'd even prefer J.D. Drew there. Boston ranks dead last in the majors in OBP out of the leadoff spot. How does an organization that relies so much on statistical analysis give its most plate appearances to guys with a .271 OBP? On the other hand, Boston does have the best record in baseball, so it's not like the lineup construction has held it back too much. So while I agree that it hasn't been an optimum lineup, it really hasn't mattered all that much. (Actually, lineup construction tends to be wildly overrated anyway, but it makes for great baseball conversation.)

Speaking of the Hall of Fame, will current benchmarks which guarantee induction ( i.e. 500 home runs and 3,000 hits) end some day? In my opinion, 500 home runs should no longer guarantee induction. Are Jim Thome and Carlos Delgado locks if they reach 500? Although one might say Thome doesn't need 500 anyway, I say no on Delgado. I would guess 3,000 hits still holds its allure given that many of today's elite players walk so much.
-- Ben, New York

I've never been a voter who believes strongly about the importance of such benchmarks. I mean, it has more to do with math than baseball. It's simply our comfort level with working with round numbers. Would Fred McGriff have been a better Hall of Fame candidate if he hit seven more home runs? Shouldn't be. But I do recognize a lot of people think that way. The 500-homer mark has lost some meaning, if only because of what is happening to Mark McGwire and, when he's eligible, Rafael Palmeiro. It's too early to know where the voting will go on players such as Thome and Delgado, but my guess is they won't be considered absolute first-ballot locks. On the other hand, I don't know if there is anybody out there with a real shot at 3,000 hits who won't get in rather easily, but maybe you're right about that benchmark.

I am curious to know why you include Curt Schilling in your list of future HOFs, but not Mike Mussina in the "maybe" category. Mussina has some better and equivalent key stats: 30 more wins with 10 fewer losses; ERA within .2 of Schilling; more shutouts; more 17-plus win seasons. What has Schilling got that Moose doesn't?
-- Harley Stein, Hockessin, Dela.

Well, I didn't mean it as a definitive call on them, but I do think Schilling has a slight edge on Mussina. Schilling has more seasons with a relative ERA (park-adjusted ERA+) of 150 or higher (4-2), more top three Cy Young Award finishes (3-1), a slightly better career relative ERA (126-124), more 20-win seasons (3-0), more All-Star games (6-5) and a huge edge in postseason performance (7-2, 2.06 to 7-8, 3.40). If I had Schilling and Mussina on the same staff I'd probably consider Schilling my No. 1 and Mussina my No. 2. That doesn't mean they might not both be Hall of Famers someday.

Justin Verlander is a young stud. However, I'd probably take Jeremy Bonderman over him. Seriously, look at Bonderman's progression. He's only 24 and destined for greatness. I'm more comfy with a guy who has learned how to win the hard way and Bonderman has overcome a lot more than Verlander at this point in their careers.
-- Todd Langer, Boulder, Colo.

Good call on Bonderman. I'd still rather have Verlander, but Bonderman reminds me a lot of a young John Smoltz: wicked slider and intense competitive streak. When did people start thinking of Smoltz as a Hall of Famer? Probably not until well into his 30s. Bonderman really is severely battle-tested at a young age and as long as he holds up physically he'll be the better for it over the long haul.

How about before banning first base coaches from having stopwatches, the umps start calling balks on left-handed pitchers? I'm sick of watching Rich Hill, Andy Pettitte, Joe Kennedy, et al, step all the way towards home, only to throw to first, and not get called for balks.
-- Casey, Des Moines, Iowa

Do you know baseball people actually call such moves "balk moves?" Basically they teach lefties to push the envelope as far as they can. Clearly these guys aren't stepping all the way home and then going to first, as you say, but I take you to mean that they are crossing that imaginary line with their foot. It's a lot like calling the checked swing, though. It's a tough judgment call for the umps. There was one year about 10-15 years ago when baseball decided it would crack down on balks. Umpires were calling two or three a game. It was a joke, much worse than a few not called today.