MAILBAG: July 19

Q: Do you think the St. Louis Cardinals will make a big trade? If so, who do you think will be involved? -- Daniel, Mexico, Mo.
Peter Gammons: Yes, but it's understandable that they want to do it without trading Bud Smith. Colorado wants him in a Pedro Astacio deal. GM Walt Jocketty has also been looking for a closer like Jason Isringhausen, Mike Williams and Troy Percival, and a right-handed bat. A deal for Todd Jones could happen quickly. Tony La Russa talked to him, and Jones' agents are letting the Cards know that he won't be hard to sign long-term.

Q: Who do you think the Chicago White Sox are going to unload to lower their payroll? I have heard rumors of Magglio Ordonez. To me that would be a mistake. I would much rather see a Paul Konerko and James Baldwin go. Your thoughts? -- Chris McVady, Addison, Ill.
PWG: I don't see how they can unload right now, because the wild card is not out of reach. Realistically, they probably cannot make it, but another white-flag deal would be a PR nightmare. However, they are not going to sign Ordonez long-term, and he and Keith Foulke each could be gone by Jan. 1.

Q: I am a die-hard fan of the Atlanta Braves. Everyone is saying how they are going to make a deal. Do you think they will make a deal for a shortstop or a first basemen? Or do you think they will stick with Mark DeRosa at short and Wes Helms or Ken Caminiti at first? -- Matt, Oregon, Ohio
PWG: The Braves say they can only add $1 million the rest of the season, a third of a $3 million contract. They would love it if Caminiti makes it, because it would allow them to do tinkering trades.

Q: What position player do you think the Cardinals need to jump-start their offense while they wait for the return of J.D. Drew? -- Eric Schnyder, St. Louis, Mo.
PWG: The ideal situation would be to swap Ray Lankford for a right-handed bat like a Shannon Stewart, or Edgar Renteria for another shortstop, but that likely won't happen. Their best shot may be to get a right-handed bat off the bench.

Q: With the recent struggles of Shea Hillenbrand and recent setbacks with John Valentin's heel, what are the chances of the Boston Red Sox getting a third baseman before July 31? Maybe a Joe Randa or Mike Lowell? -- Adam Coppinger, Lexington, Ky.
PWG: Actually, they could probably do a Carl Everett-Jeff Cirillo deal, and that's worth considering. But they'll probably hold onto what they have and concentrate on a closer, a starter and a bat, although Dan Duquette said this week he intends to bring up (D)Izzy Alcantara. Lowell isn't available.

Q: My friend and I have gotten into a argument that Indians pitcher C.C. Sabathia has an ineffective breaking ball. I barely ever get to see him pitch on TV, and my friend never watches him -- period. What's your take on his breaking stuff? What are some possiblities for trades with the Tribe this year because they really need some pitching? -- Luke Jackson, Toledo, Ohio
PWG: Sabathia at times has both a nasty breaking ball and changeup, but he is a kid and is inconsistent with both. What worries me is he hasn't thrown for six months and a lot of innings before. As for trades, the Indians are at their fiscal limit. So unless they could move Russell Branyan and kid pitchers to get a young, low-cost starter like a Tony Armas -- and I doubt Montreal would deal him -- the Indians have to win with what they have.

Q: What's on the horizon for the New York Mets? Do you see them dumping players or making a stretch run? Also, what offseason moves do you see as a possibility for the Mets' front office? -- Michael Cullen, Montgomery, Ala.
PWG: They expect to contend next year, which is why I don't think they'll trade Al Leiter. They have shopped Robin Ventura, with no success. You might see them move Glendon Rusch for Daryle Ward, and I think this winter they could get Ivan Rodriguez and move Mike Piazza to first.

Q: For the last six months we keep hearing trade rumors involving Glendon Rusch. Is there any truth? How can Steve Phillips be so blind and trade his one young and proven (somewhat) pitcher (on top of that a left-hander)? It makes my blood boil. -- Luis Quinones, Atlanta, Ga.
PWG: Rusch is a tough guy to trade, especially since he is a Fred Wilpon favorite. But they think Jae Seo will be ready next year. And if they could get a potential .300/40 HR bat like Daryle Ward, they might have to do it. Ward yes, John Vander Wal, no. Big difference.

Q: Is there any chance that Oakland would be interested in trading Jason Giambi for Nick Johnson and Tino Martinez in a package with minor-league pitching? This way the A's would have a first baseman for the remainder of the season as they try to get into the wild-card race, and a first basemen of the future? -- M, New York City
PWG: I think it's a possibility if the A's slide between now and July 31 and owner Steve Schott tells Billy Beane to get what he can get. I'm not certain Martinez would be in the deal, and that brings up another problem: Other than Johnson, who's hitting .265 in AAA, what do the Yankees have? The Mets will get into the mix if Giambi is available. So will the Cubs. And I'm betting so will the Red Sox because of need and the fact that Giambi and Nomar Garciaparra are good friends.

Q: Do you think that the Arizona Diamondbacks will sweep three of the four major awards: MVP, Luis Gonzalez; Cy Young, Curt Schilling or Randy Johnson; and Manager of the Year, Bob Brenly? -- Michael Salgat, Mesa, Ariz.
PWG: It certainly is a possibility, but don't underestimate Greg Maddux for Cy Young. He'd probably win it if the balloting were held today.

Q: If the Seattle Mariners make a trade, would they possibly deal pitching and a hitting prospect to the Toronto Blue Jays for Jose Cruz Jr. or Shannon Stewart? -- Jeff Button, Issaquah, Wash.
PWG: They would love to get Stewart, but Cruz is a better possibility, for Brett Tomko and maybe Joel Pineiro. They're still looking at Jermaine Dye and Magglio Ordonez, as well as John Vander Wal.

Q: With the Texas Rangers out of the playoff race, any chance that they may put some of their more expensive players on the trading block, such as Pudge, or Rafael Palmeiro? -- Brian Sasser, Wilmington, N.C.
PWG: I think Pudge will go in the offseason, but for now, they'll probably try to trade a couple of veteran pitchers, like Rick Helling, Darren Oliver or Kenny Rogers.