Short answers

Yankees can go in many directions to find a fill-in for Jeter

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Do you think the Yankees will make a trade to replace Derek Jeter? How much will New York miss him? Is the team so stacked that losing the star shortstop isn't that big of a deal?
--Josh Kaplan, Tampa, Fla.

If Jeter is lost for more than two months, I expect the Yankees to make a run at a veteran shortstop such as Barry Larkin or Omar Vizquel, assuming that either might agree to a trade. Other possibilities if New York has to lower its expectations: John McDonald, Neifi Perez, Mike Bordick or Adam Everett. I don't see Montreal giving up Orlando Cabrera when it has a chance to win the NL East. I know the Yankees have a deep pool of talent, but losing Jeter is a big, big hit for this team. I think New York will miss him greatly over the long haul. I don't think it wins 100 games without him.

If the Red Sox are supposed to be using their bullpen unconventionally, why didn't Grady Little let Ramiro Mendoza pitch the ninth inning Monday against the Devil Rays after the reliever had thrown just nine pitches in the eighth? It seems to me that Boston will use its bullpen like every other team does, the difference being that the Sox have no closer. Isn't this plan a complete disaster?
--Marco, New England, Mass.

The Red Sox believe in numbers, and numbers say you use your left-handed pitcher against the left-handed hitters in the middle of Tampa Bay's lineup, regardless of how great Mendoza was throwing the ball. Obviously, Boston had better use a little gut instinct and observation to make this bullpen system work and not rely on cold, hard numbers alone. The Red Sox's plan otherwise makes sense except for this: somebody has to pitch the ninth inning, and whether Alan Embree and Mike Timlin have what it takes to do that has been in question for a long time, and Chad Fox, whose elbow is held together by tape and glue, has never had to close when it counts. I like the plan, but have questions about the personnel.

Tom, which division do you think will provide the best race this year? I know a lot of people think baseball did nothing to fix competitive balance, but aside from the AL East, all the divisions look to be wide open. Do you agree?
--Tony, Charlotte, Va.

Well, I think the AL Central is a two-team race (like the AL East) but the other four divisions seem to be open to at least three teams. I really don't see a huge competitive balance problem right now (even though payroll disparity is a concern.) The best race is the AL West because (check out Sports Illustrated's 2003 scouting reports) I think Seattle, Oakland and Anaheim all are capable of winning 95 games or more.

What do you predict this season for the following players:
Ken Griffey Jr.
Juan Gonzalez
Frank Thomas
--Hubert, Auburn Hills, Mich.

For Griffey, a home run title without a return to .300, which he hasn't seen since 1997. For Gonzalez, a monster year with 120 RBIs. For Thomas, a solid -- if not spectacular -- 25 homers, 100 RBIs and a .290 average.

During spring training, a lot of people said Philly would be a disappointment this season. What do you think of the Phillies this year? Can they win the NL East?
--Russ Daniels, Vermont

Sure, the Phillies can win the East, especially if they start well. A lot will depend on how stable their bullpen is or, for that matter, their manager when things go bad.

Tom, great point about baseball's uniform stunt. Those blue Cubs softball jerseys are just hideous. Everyone knows throwback jerseys are where it's at. What are some of your favorite old-time uniforms?
--Greg Wicker, Oklahoma City

I like the old powder blue road unis of the Brewers, Royals and Cardinals. I like the old dusty gold trim of the Pirates and their sleeveless tops of the '60s, as well as the sleeveless Kansas City A's shirts. I also like the uniforms from the 1950s that had piping down the front of the button-up jerseys (Dodgers, Cardinals, Tigers, Indians, Browns).

Tom, don't you think you were a little hard on the Mets in your column this week? It was just one game. They can't be as bad as you made them sound, can they?
--Ronald Morrison, Staten Island, N.Y.

Actually, I did say they are not that bad. But you have to look at where they were last season and ask yourself: Are they that much better? New York only won 75 games in 2002. I think the Mets should be better than that this season, but I still don't think they're better than Philadelphia or Atlanta. Put it this way: if asked to rank the rotations and defenses in the NL East, I'd probably put the Mets last in both categories.

Where will Chuck Finley land this season? I know many teams -- such as the Rangers, Dodgers, Orioles and Padres -- need pitching.
--Mark E., Gilmer, Texas

I think Finley will end up with St. Louis again or, more likely, a Southern California team, such as the Padres, so he can be closer to home.

Do the Indians have a chance at .500 baseball this year?
--Bo, Cleveland

Yes, but that may be a best-case scenario. Cleveland needs at least one veteran pitcher to step up and provide some innings to lessen the workload of the younger guys.

Sports Illustrated senior writer Tom Verducci covers baseball for the magazine and is a regular contributor to SI.com. Click here to send a question to his Mailbag.

 

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