Too much too soon

So you were close with your Dice-K projection, who currently has 14 wins. But 12 losses? It's early September and the guy looks totally gassed. So, contrary to your other spring projections, is it fair to say that pitchers and pitching coaches aren't going to adopt his workout routine anytime soon? -- Bill Opalka, Glastonbury, Conn.

I will end up being pretty close to my preseason projection for him, but I do agree that he (and Hideki Okajima) have hit a wall late in the season. That was to be expected. (I thought he'd be more dominant earlier). The majors present a longer season, deeper lineups and fewer days of recovery between starts than what he faced in Japan. Check out his splits on days of rest and it shows he's better with six or more days of rest (2.08 ERA) and five days of rest (4.01) than he is on the made-in-America four days (5.29). I think the Red Sox need to back off him in the last few weeks, finding extra days whenever possible, because if they're going to get to the World Series they'll need him sharp again.

I think the Joba [ Chamberlain] rules are in place because Joe Torre consistently overworks his bullpen, and this was a subtle way for GM Brian Cashman to send Torre a message that he needs to ease up on his relievers. I like Torre but I think it is obvious that if he had full control Joba would have already appeared in 35 games this year. I also think that this might be a subtle hint of what's in store for next year; Cashman doesn't believe that Torre can manage young arms and the Yanks may look somewhere else to help guide the talents the Yankees have uncovered next year. -- Will, New York City

I think the Torre-overworking-his-bullpen angle has been overblown. Cashman would have the Joba Rules in place if John McGraw were the manager. They are a function of his doctrine on young pitching more than a statement on the manager. Funny how when the Yankees were getting length from their starting pitchers in the 1990s nobody accused Torre of overworking anybody.

Why are so many of you media types pushing Ryan Howard for MVP? An MVP carries his team. When Chase Utley went on the DL, Jimmy Rollins and Pat Burrell stepped up while Howard wore out a path from the batter's box to the dugout after all those strikeouts. Pitchers are not afraid of him; just throw him something out of the strike zone and you will get him out. -- Joe Stratton, Philadelphia

Howard jumped into the argument with very good numbers in July and August and has hit well with runners on base, but his September (.212 avg.) seems to be eliminating him from contention. He probably won't win, anyway, because you could make the case that two guys on his own team have better arguments -- middle infielders Rollins and Utley

Just saw your response to the reader regarding Clay Buchholz being on the playoff roster. Is the same true for the Yankees and Ian Kennedy? -- Lee Morrell, Santa Clarita, Calif.

Yes, the Yankees, if they wish, could put Kennedy on their playoff roster. He was in their system and could replace any player who was on the DL on Aug. 31. That one would surprise me because I don't think they look at him as a guy fitted for relief work, and they already have to be careful about his innings total for the year. And remember, he's never pitching a six-month season before, so I don't think they want to push him into a seventh month.

Do you think the Royals will keep Mike Sweeney? He hasn't played a full season in a couple years due to injuries. And with the talents of Billy Butler, Alex Gordon and Ross Gload, do they really need to spend big money to keep him around? -- Becky Crawford, Topeka, Kan.

That's a great question, because Sweeney has been the face of the franchise for a long time, but he's going to have to take a fraction of his $11 million annual salary to come back. I think he could be useful as a role player, but will he accept that? And at how much of a pay cut? He has been a below average hitter with injuries the past couple of seasons, so I would think a low-base, incentive-laden deal might be in order. Kind of reminds me of Bernie Williams, who decided he didn't want to come back under those circumstances (though a non-guaranteed deal) with the Yankees