Q: Are there any teams normally in last place, like Tampa Bay, Washington or Kansas City, that have a chance to contend this year as Milwaukee did last year?
— Raphael, Alexandria, Va.

A: I don't see any of those teams seriously contending for division titles late into the season, Raphael. But I do see all three of them being improved and taking nice steps forward, possibly finishing .500 or better, best-case scenario.

The Rays' best young players — namely Scott Kazmir, James Shields, Carl Crawford, B.J. Upton — have reached the point of being star-caliber. Management also has spent a bit more money (their payroll is up to about $43 million) to add some solid veteran presence in Troy Percival, Dan Wheeler, Trever Miller and Eric Hinske, and they made a significant trade to add Matt Garza to the rotation and Jason Bartlett to play shortstop. And there is more high-ceiling talent coming, especially Evan Longoria. The final component will be quality young pitching such as Jeff Niemann and David Price, two very high first-round picks who will emerge in 2009-10. But butting heads with Boston and New York never will be easy for Tampa Bay.

The Nationals should be energized by their new ballpark, and no doubt will benefit down the road from the additional revenues it will bring. They also have a healthy Nick Johnson back at first base and in the middle of the lineup, and could get a breakout-type season from Lastings Milledge to join Ryan Zimmerman as a franchise cornerstone. My problem here is with the rotation, though, as Odalis Perez was the Opening Day starter, Shawn Hill is on the disabled list and John Patterson was released. Although to date, the rotation has been very solid.

The Royals are building nicely under general manager Dayton Moore. Ownership is spending to sign free agents such as Gil Meche and Jose Guillen, and a nice nucleus of young players — Alex Gordon, Brian Bannister, Zach Greinke, John Buck, David DeJesus, Billy Butler, etc. — is improving and getting closer to becoming established regulars, and even stars. They have started this season by going into Detroit and winning twice by shutting down the explosive Tigers lineup, so things are looking up in KC, too.

Q: Are you down on the Yankees? Given the fact they will score a million runs, and the fact that the bullpen is improved, wouldn't you have to say they are more likely to make the playoffs than Cleveland or Seattle?
— Clint, Highland, Utah

A: Relatively speaking, I guess you could say that, yes, I am down on the Yankees a bit. I do have them finishing just behind the Indians in the wild card race, and just ahead of both the Mariners and Blue Jays, for a handful of reasons.

The Yankees' offense should remain top-notch, but I wouldn't say that is a 'fact', as this is an aging team with several players in their mid-30s, and that means they are more likely to miss time due to injuries.

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I'm not certain the bullpen is much better, although moving Joba Chamberlain there improves the chances of that quite a bit. But counting on Kyle Farnsworth and Latroy Hawkins is dicey at best, and there is no proven left-hander.

I also have at least some doubt about everybody in the rotation after Chein-Ming Wang. Andy Pettitte has had health issues this spring, I believe Mike Mussina is near the end, and we're not certain how quickly Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy will develop.

Could the Yankees make the playoffs, even win the division? Sure. But if enough of these issues continue, I could even see them finishing third in the AL East.

Q: Dontrelle Willis had spring-training control issues related to consistency with his windup, delivery and release points. Since he has been put in the No. 5 slot, would it make sense to send him to extended spring training to work out his control problems?
— Mark P., San Diego

A: I've heard a lot of questions and concerns about Willis lately, Mark — everything from what you mentioned to the fact that he is going to the tougher American League. But I have a different take on him, and I'm not all that worried.

I think the trade from the wretched conditions with the Marlins — bad ownership, bad team, bad fans — to a team that has a real shot to win it all is going to bring out the best in Willis. I think he will be very focused and motivated this season, and that if he pitches his usual 200 innings, all he has to do is keep his ERA under 5.00, and he should win 12-15 games with that lineup behind him.

Another point I want to make is that Detroit fans — dating back to Willie Horton, Lou Whitaker, Chet Lemon and so on — always have attached themselves to the team's black stars. And I feel Willis has a chance to grasp onto that force as well. I think he's going to be just fine, so to answer your question, I would send him out there in the fifth game of the season, and let him go at it.

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