Q: With no dominant pitcher outside of Carlos Zambrano, do the Cubs have a shot at winning the National League pennant?
— Mike, Chicago

A: Everything would have to go right for the Cubs to win a pennant, and as we know, it never does. Remember, this is a team that lost 96 games last season, so they would need a 24-game turnaround to win 90 games in 2007. They could win the NL Central with fewer victories, but getting to the playoffs and winning a pennant are different things.

Even after spending $300 million over the winter, the Cubs still have holes, led by — as you mention — starting pitching. After Zambrano, it lines up as Ted Lilly, Jason Marquis, Rich Hill and either Mark Prior or Wade Miller. Lilly fits better as a No. 3-4, and Marquis was run out of St. Louis. Who knows with Prior, although Wade Miller is having a decent spring.

The bullpen should be very good, especially if Kerry Wood can continue to pitch as he has this spring. Alfonso Soriano is handling the switch to center field, and remember, the Cubs lineup didn’t have Derrek Lee for most of last season, so his return is similar to adding another superstar bat.

I think the Cubs will be a lot better, and finish slightly above .500. But I don’t see them making the playoffs, however.

Q: Who would you pick — Carl Yastrzemski, Roberto Clemente or Al Kaline in their primes?
— Lt. Bill Grady, Kabul, Afghanistan

A: First of all, thanks for your efforts over there, Lieutenant. Wow, you’ve got three Hall of Famers here, so you really can’t go wrong. Each player had a different skill set from the other two, and that’s probably the best way to differentiate them.

Yaz played 23 seasons until he was 43, so his career numbers are the best. His 452 homers and 1,844 RBI are far more than the other two compiled, and he hit .285 lifetime, with 3,419 hits — again the most of the three. He was an 18-time All-Star, won an MVP, a triple crown and three batting titles, and led the league in on-base percentage five times, in slugging percentage, runs scored and doubles three times. And while he wasn’t the defensive standout that Kaline and Clemente were, he did win seven Gold Gloves in left field at Fenway Park before playing a lot of first base and DH later in his career.

Clemente’s game was more of defensive brilliance and batting average over power. His career and life tragically cut short at 38, he finished with exactly 3,000 hits, but only 240 home runs. His .317 career average was easily the best of the three, and he won four batting titles, and hit .329 or higher seven times. He also won an MVP, was a 12-time All-Star and won 12 consecutive Gold Gloves in right field, where his arm and range were phenomenal.

Kaline wasn’t eye-popping brilliant in any one category, but was consistently great in everything. He hit .297 lifetime with 399 homers — never more than 29 in a season — 1,533 RBI and 3,007 hits. He was a 15-time All-Star, won 12 Gold Gloves in right field, where his arm and smarts were outstanding, walked more than he struck out, and led the league once in hitting, slugging percentage, total bases, hits and doubles.

So how about this: Yaz for power and run production, Clemente for average, speed and defensive brilliance, Kaline for consistent excellence in all phases. And if you make me rank them, that would be the order — Yaz, Clemente, Kaline.

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