Joe Morgan

  (10:30 AM)

The fact that the Mets lost another game proves to me that the last three outs are sometimes tougher than I've ever thought they were. I don't know that the Mets can straighten that out. They definitely need to fix their bullpen.

Cole (California)

Hey Joe, im a HUGE D'backs fan. By trading for Dunn, did they make a mistaking trading for him since they already have a hitter like him in Mark reynolds?

Joe Morgan

  (10:31 AM)

They do have a lot of hitters that strike out. That's one of the problems on that team. But Dunn helps because he will supply power that they also do not have. It will make for a frustrating offense, but he will definitely hit the ball out of the park on a consistent basis.

Darek (Chicago, Il)

Good day Joe. What are the chances of Ken Griffey Jr. playing in 2009 ? Do you see him retiring or returning to Seattle ? He might call it quits if the White sox go on to win the series, but it's a longshot

Joe Morgan

  (10:33 AM)

Griffey is in a situation now where he will have to decided as the season goes along. He has had some bad stretches, but the last time I talked to him, he told me he felt much better. It's yet to be determined what he's going to end up doing. Going back to Seattle is not the answer unless he can go back and hit there. The key is whether he can be a good major league player for the White Sox over the course of the season.

Springfield,Massachussets

will the redsox make it to the world series again

Joe Morgan

  (10:34 AM)

Their chances of making it back took a big shot when they traded Manny. I don't think people realize how valuable he was, and how much pressure he took off the other players. Without him hitting behind Big Papi, they will pitch around him in big situations. Ortiz has already alluded to that fact. They could still win it, but without Manny, their chances are not as good.

Joe Morgan

  (10:35 AM)

I have felt all along that the Cuvs were the best team in the NL, and the Red Sox in the AL, but now the Angels have proven to be the best by far in the AL. That in and of itself would hurt their chances. The Angels are 11-2 in their last 13 games against Boston and the Yankees, so if they play either on in the playoffs, the Angels will have an edge.

Carl (Arlington, VA)

When will the Twins get respect? Every year it seems like they are picked to finish towards the bottom of the Central, but once again, they are on their way to a 5th Central title in the past 7 years. Is this the most under rated team in MLB?

Joe Morgan

  (10:36 AM)

It has been. They will get respect when people realize how good Gardenhire is as a manager. There has been talk about the A's performing well as a low-budget team, but the Twins have a low budget as well and have outperformed them. I'm still waiting to see how their young starters will perform on the road in a pennant race.

Justin (West Islip, NY)

Hey Joe, I'm a mets fan and as you know it's been an up and down season. This bullpen without Wagner is killing me. Everytime it seems Heilman is coming around, he always blows a game. Not that the the other relievers are any better. Should a met fan worry about this? What do you think is next for the Mets?

Joe Morgan

  (10:38 AM)

You should definitely worry about it, but Wagner blew three consecutive saves when they were struggling. The bullpen has been a problem all year long. They have lost eight games after leading in the ninth inning this year. It's more pronounced now that Wagner is gone, but it has been a season-long problem. Just look at what Johan Santana has done--he's pitched well, but they've blown six leads for him.

Mark

Joe, as of right now who is the AL MVP?

Joe Morgan

  (10:43 AM)

That's difficult to answer because the season is not over, and the last month usually determines that. I keep hearing about Josh Hamilton's great story, but that's not what the MVP award is all about. Carlos Quentin has kept his team in the mix since Day 1. But there are other guys who should be in the mix. Dustin Pedroia in Boston should get some votes. Justin Morneau is still the leader of the Twins. Someone like A-Rod could get hot and carry the Yankees to a playoff berth, so he could be in consideration. I would say, as of now, Quentin would get my vote.

Nick (Brooklyn ,NY)

Hey Joe, I just wanted to get your opinion on the Yankees. They've been a little shaky lately since losing Joba, How do you think the last month and a half is going to turn out for them ?

Joe Morgan

  (10:44 AM)

They've been shaky in general. The trade that sent Farnsworth has made them unreliable in the 8th inning, and their starting pitching needs to be more consistent, like Mussina has been and Joba was.

Joe Morgan

  (10:45 AM)

Their offense hasn't been consistent either. They'll have a good game, a couple of poor games, then another good game--they just haven't been consistent.

Mike (NY,NY)

Are the Rays done without Evan Longoria? Do they go out and try something bold like getting Shef or Barry?

Joe Morgan

  (10:46 AM)

They definitely need to try to get another hitter. They are shorthanded now, but so are a lot of teams. They have stayed the course, so to speak, without making trades at the deadline that could have brought them another hitter. I hadn't thought of him, but Sheffield would be a great fit for that team.

Tony (Cedar Rapids, IA)

I wouldn't say the Twins are on their way to a 5th Central title..they do have a chance. But I still think the White Sox are the better team and I think they will win the Central. Do you agree? Thanks, Joe.

Joe Morgan

  (10:48 AM)

I thought so two weeks ago, but I'm not sure who is going to win. The White Sox lost Contreras, and they are not pitching well. But I do believe you do have to be careful with giving the Twins the division until you see these young starters on the road in September. I think they will play well in Minnesota, but on the road is where we'll find out what they're made of.

Mark (Bangor, PA)

If you are the Indians (out of contention) with guys coming back from injury like Victor Martinez and Travis Hafner, do you try and bring them back before the end of the season or do you shut them down and start over in spring training?

Joe Morgan

  (10:49 AM)

If they are able to play, you bring them back. They've lost Sabathia and Casey Blake, so they're a different team now. They have to have something to build on going in to spring training. You need to see also if Hafner can return to being a factor after struggling for a year-and-a-half.

Chris (tampa)

Joe, What are the chances of a Cubs player winning the NL MVP? Isn't it the best player on the best team? Are the Cubs too balanced to have just one player on the team win it?

Joe Morgan

  (10:51 AM)

I was thinking about the MVP while doing their game, and I couldn't really single out one Cub. In the past, it was Lee, Ramirez, and Zambrano, but now you even have guys like Theriot, Dempster, and DeRosa really contributing. But you still have a long way to go in the MVP race. The Cubs still have to prove they can do well on the road.

Joe Morgan

  (10:51 AM)

Playing well on the road is going to be a key for all the contenders. That will seperate the teams that are close to one another down the stretch.

Nick (Brooklyn, NY)

Joe, If you had to make your prediction for who's going to make the AL Wild Card at this point in time, who do you believe it would be?

Joe Morgan

  (10:52 AM)

I would pick Boston at this point, but the White Sox and Twins are right there as well.

Joe Morgan

  (10:52 AM)

The Rays also have a chance if Boston surges past them.

Dom (Sealy, Texas)

Big fan of your from way back. For your money, who is the best second baseman in the game right now?

Joe Morgan

  (10:55 AM)

There are a lot of really good 2Bs in the game right now. Unfotunately, it seems we just grade them on their hitting, not on their overall play. Therein lies the problem with trying to pick one. Utley was the best offensive player of the group, Uggla hits the ball out of the ballpark but he and Ian Kinsler struggle defensively. It depends on what you're looking for. A second baseman's primary job is to play defense. I would probably have to stick with Chase Utley, but Uggla and Kinsler are both very good offensively.

Buzz (Pompano Beach)

Does getting Dunn put the D-Backs over the top or are the Dodgers still the team to beat out West?

Joe Morgan

  (10:56 AM)

I feel the Dodgers are the team to beat because they got Manny, although their closer Saito may not be back, which could be a problem. You still have to be skeptical of the D-backs' offense, because they just strike out too much. Even when good teams make outs, they at least move runners along. I still think the Dodgers should win, but Dunn will definitely help the Diamondbacks.

Joe Morgan

  (10:57 AM)

The one thing you have to look at with Dunn is that he hits a lot of home runs, but he doesn't drive in a lot of runs compared to his home run ratio.

Joe Morgan

  (10:57 AM)

See you next week, everyone!