Is it fair to say that the Dodgers have a better shot at getting A-Rod cheaper than other teams, having signed Joe Torre and possibly Don Mattingly? -- Jonathan J., Riverside, Calif. That's the first time I've ever seen "A-Rod" and signing "cheaper" in the same sentence. With the number $350 million being floated around by his agent, the only thing that's fair to say is that Alex Rodriguez will sign where the money is, not necessarily where Joe Torre is. In fact, there still is some belief that Rodriguez never fully forgave Torre for batting him eighth in the 2006 playoffs, although their relationship seemed fine to most observers this year. We've heard so many good things about Joe Torre, it's a wonder he isn't already in the Hall of Fame. Are there any knocks? -- Greg G., Chatsworth, Calif. Heard most often is that he overuses his bullpen and he might not be the shrewdest in-game tactician. During the past season, it's also been suggested that at 67, the competitive fire might not be burning the way it did at 47 and 57. How is Lucas May progressing in the Minor Leagues? -- Charlie L., Chelsea, Ala. He's played shortstop and outfield, but now he's a catcher and that is probably where he will end up defensively. Offensively he showed serious power with 25 homers, but he hit only .256 at Class A at age 22. He'll need to continue to work on his catching. Are the Dodgers going to re-sign Randy Wolf? -- Sal D., Sacramento, Calif. The club just bought Wolf out of his $9 million salary for 2008 at a cost of $500,000. There still is a chance Wolf could return with an incentive-laden contract as he continues to recover from shoulder surgery. Any update on the Dodgers' Spring Training facility in Arizona? -- Terry C., Vero Beach, Fla. Preliminary work has begun at the Glendale, Ariz., site and an official groundbreaking has been scheduled for Nov. 19. That really leaves no margin for error to open the facility by 2009 for the Dodgers and the White Sox. It took 15 months for the Peoria facility to be built and 16 months for the complex in Surprise. The city of Glendale will be required by July of 2008 to notify the clubs if the facility will not be completed as scheduled, at which time the clubs would most likely decide to remain in their current Spring Training complexes for 2009. But Glendale officials seem confident that would not be an issue. Will the Dodgers receive Draft-pick compensation if any of their free agents sign with another club? -- John C., Valley Center, Calif. The only player that could generate a Draft pick for the Dodgers is outfielder Luis Gonzalez. As a type-B ranked player, Gonzalez would net the Dodgers a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds when signed by another club, but only if the Dodgers offer him salary arbitration, which is unlikely. Based on the Elias rankings that are used to determine compensation, Dodgers catcher Russell Martin is ranked No. 1 among National League catchers and Takashi Saito is ranked No. 1 among National League relievers. Jonathan Broxton is fourth among NL relievers. --

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