To say that the next three games require the winning of at least two is beyond obvious. The discussion is what to do if they lose two or get swept. The answer is to clear the decks and play the kids. The following names should become available to the highest bidder and sold by Thursday:

                         2003 Salary

Antonio Alfonseca         $4,000,000 

Shawn Estes               $3,000,000 

Mike Remlinger            $2,630,000 

Alex Gonzalez             $5,750,000 

Mark Grudzielanek         $5,500,000 

Kenny Lofton                $379,630 

Eric Karros               $8,375,000 

Moises Alou               $9,500,000

All of the above are either free agents at the end of this year or next year (A Gonz and Alou). The key is to free Salary for 2004 and be able to trade for / sign as many of: Jose Vidro, Miguel Tejada, Vlad the Impaler, Luis Castillo, and Javier Vasquez as the Trib will allow.

Now, no one is taking Al-Enfuega. Release him. The rest? See what you can get. Maybe you back into a Willis or a Sandberg as a throw in. Maybe not, but it can't hurt to try. And why keep them? They won't be back next year, regardless! In the mean time, you play Hill, Kelton, Choi, and Cruz full time. Maybe Hill pans out and Vidro / Castillo are unneccesary.

Time to find out.

Chuck