Key injuries impact playoff races

Thanks for the piece on Skip Caray. I'm 60 and I cried when I heard he died because it was like part of me was gone. He did a good job and that says a lot.

-- John Dobbs, Atlanta

It says a ton, John.

Do we have a race for the AL Rookie of the Year? It has to be a close battle now between Evan Longoria and Mike Aviles. Sure Longoria has the better team record, but Aviles leads in most other stat categories. Now at 53 games, he's proved he's no fluke either.

-- David, Kansas City

We absolutely have a race, David. And we all know it. I will say this, though. Fifty-something games does not make a player. Heck, a whole good year doesn't make a player. You're from K.C. You don't remember Angel Berroa?

A.J. Burnett currently leads the Jays in wins and the league in strikeouts. Will there be teams interested in his services at season's end? His opt out clause allows him to walk but he'll come at a hefty price tag.

-- Ryan, Toronto

He'll opt out, is my guess, and a lot of teams will throw a lot of money at him, the same way the Jays did back in '05. Hard throwers, strikeout guys, are always at a premium.