Just when I thought the Tigers had the inside track on Magglio Ordonez, the Cub s move Sosa to free up right field and salary to go after Ordonez. I have heard that the Cubs still have to assume much of the $17 million for Sammy in '05. D id the Cubs free up enough money to offer Ordonez a lucrative multi-year deal, and do you know approximately what Ordonez is seeking? -- Tom W., Flint, Mich. Tom, the Cubs have all the money they need -- well, indirectly anyway -- to off er Ordonez a lucrative multi-year contract. They're the Tribune-owned Cubs. It' s a matter of whether they'd think it wise to do so. Every indication I've read or heard suggests they're not. As for what Ordonez is seeking, agent Scott Bor as has hinted he wants a seven-year deal. But then, he also used to say he want ed 10 years and $200 million for Carlos Beltran. With the hype around a deal with Ordonez and the over-abundance of outfielders, is it possible that Bobby Higginson will be on the trade block? OK, this needs to stop. I received an e-mail suggesting the Tigers trade Bobby Higginson straight up for Melvin Mora, another saying they should package Higgi nson for Roy Halladay, and other trade suggestions or questions. Bobby Higginso n is not getting traded, and not for lack of effort. About the only player in r eturn the Tigers could get is another high-paid performer on the decline, essen tially making it a salary swap. And even if the Tigers actually did get so far as to find a match, Higginson wo uld still have to approve it because he became a 10/5 player -- 10 years in the Majors, the last five with the same team -- at last season's end. Is there a Tiger whom you think is poised to have a "breakout" season? By that I mean is there a particular guy who could exceed his career statistics this ye ar in the same way Carlos Guillen did last year? At the same time, is there som eone who you think is susceptible to a slump? -- Drew W., Toledo It's hard to pick one out after so many Tigers regulars did it last year, Drew, and so many of them are back. I think this could be the year that a Tigers sta rter breaks out, and though Wilfredo Ledezma hasn't had a full season as a big league starter, I think he's one who could have that type of season. A lot of r eaders who clamored for the Tigers to sign a free agent starter didn't give thi s guy much credit, but he's had one solid start after another when given the ch ance. He's a power lefty on the level of Nate Robertson, only harder-throwing, and he changes speeds well. Considering the Tigers' options in the outfield, does Alexis Gomez have a legit imate shot to make the Opening Day roster? I noticed that he was optioned to Tr iple-A in order to keep his rights if he doesn't make the Major League club out of Spring Training. Do you think the Tigers brass will take a serious look at him this spring? In his support, he is hitting .340 in the Dominican League pla yoffs against great competition. -- Jay, Tucson Gomez has a chance, but being removed from the 40-man roster doesn't help. He'l l get a look as a fourth or fifth outfielder, depending on what happens with Or donez. But not only does he have last year's Tigers outfielders in front of him , he has to compete with Dewayne Wise and Byron Gettis. What gives Gomez a chan ce is his ability to play center field. Whatever happened to Matt Anderson? I know he spent the season in Triple-A, and wasn't he injured late in the season? He's not even 30 yet, but is he still in the Tigers' plans? Have they given up on him? -- Chris, Normal, Ill. Anderson became a free agent at the end of last season when the Tigers declined to pick up his option for 2005. So far as I know, he hasn't signed anywhere ye t. I'm baffled about the Tigers' center field situation. Alex Sanchez seems to hav e proved that he is a poor defender, poor baserunner, and relatively poor hitte r (considering his OBP is low and so many of his hits are bunts, which don't ad vance runners or go for extra bases). Why, then, is he being given the starting center field job? Does management really see that much potential there? It see ms to me that Curtis Granderson, at 24 and coming off a successful '04 season, would be ripe for a shot at this job. In fact, Nook Logan seems to be a better defender and baserunner, but he doesn't seem to be getting any real considerati on either. What gives? -- Andrew C., Belleville, Mich. The Tigers want Granderson to have at least half a season of experience at Tole do before considering him for a full-time promotion. And considering how Logan hit at Toledo before making his impression in Detroit, they want to see a littl e more before making him an option to start full-time. As for Sanchez, while hi s defense left a lot to be desired, I don't think you can call someone that fas t a poor baserunner. As for hitting and fielding, the Tigers decided he was wor th another shot for the price. --

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