Q: Of the current Twins pitchers, which do you think will most fill the hole left by the Johan Santana trade? My money's on Scott Baker.
— Kathleen, Minneapolis

A: I'm with you on that one, Kathleen. I like Baker, and he is coming off a season in which he established himself as a quality starter, logging 143.2 innings, going 9-9 and posting a very solid 4.26 ERA.

In fact, I have Baker as my breakout player on the Twins, and easily could see him making 30 starts, winning 10-12 games and keeping his ERA right around 4.00. One potential problem, though, especially in terms of Baker's won-loss record, is the fact that he often could be pitching at the top of the rotation against other teams' ace pitchers.

The other answer here could be Francisco Liriano, who was dominant two seasons ago before undergoing surgery and missing all of last season. But I'm always wary of pitchers coming off surgeries, and in fact, he has been behind the other starting pitchers this spring.

It would be hard for me to project Liriano making any more than 25 starts and pitching more than 150 innings. He's more likely to be back at the top of his game in 2009 than 2008.

Q: Do the Red Sox have reason to worry with all their injuries early on?
— Debby, E. Hartford, Conn.

A: I wouldn't be overly concerned at this point, Debby, the key phrase being at this point. Other than Curt Schilling, nobody who currently is banged up is expected to be out for any significant amount of time.

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But especially in Josh Beckett's case (back spasms), if trouble lingers, there could be damage in terms of the Sox's won-loss record, and eventually, their playoff chances that at this point appear to be a near-certainty. Beckett already has thrown a bullpen session, so his return to action likely is imminent.

In fact, I would be more concerned about the effects of the two-game trip to Japan have on the Red Sox. The travel will take its toll, and it will interesting to see how they perform upon their return.

Q: Francisco Cruceta was mentioned in your spring preview as a breakout candidate for the Tigers. I have not seen his name in any box score this spring. Is he injured, or no longer with the club?
— John, Atlanta

A: The pick was based on a handful of things — Cruceta's strong winter ball season, the need in the Tigers' bullpen with Joel Zumaya's injury, and a lack of breakout candidates on a veteran-filled Detroit roster.

When Fernando Rodney had some early-spring arm issues, the opportunity for Cruceta increased. But in a tough break for Cruceta and the Tigers, he hasn't been able to get a visa to get out of his native Dominican Republic due to a past legal problem.

So there is no way he will be starting the season with the Tigers, and obviously, that pick is going to have to change. Trouble is, nobody really fits the bill outside of a couple of relievers. Denny Bautista has had a great spring after otherwise showing an absolute lack of command in previous seasons. Yorman Bazardo is another possibility, but the Tigers will live and die with their older and established roster.

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