FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- The mailbag is at Spring Training and all of those offseason questions that poured in will begin to have answers. Pitchers and catchers are already in Fort Lauderdale, and the positions players will come in later this week.

So keep the questions coming. Exhibition games begin March 3 and the Orioles' first-ever game with the Washington Nationals is two days later at Fort Lauderdale. After a cold winter, baseball season is here.

Last year, when the Orioles did the Hall of Fame day for Brady Anderson, the outfielder said he was still in good shape and would be open to a comeback. Anderson sounded serious, and given the shape he was in, he looked like he could do it. Anderson was always one of my favorites. Was he just caught up in the moment, or is he really going to try to get a non-roster invitation to Spring Training or minor league camp from anyone, including the Orioles? -- Margo P., Gettysburg, Pa.

Although Anderson is a fan favorite, it's unlikely he would make a comeback with the Orioles if he were to make one at all. Like many athletes, Anderson did not particularly like the way his career ended. His contract was bought out by the Orioles, he was released by the Indians and then couldn't make the Major League club in San Diego. But he is in immaculate shape, which has always been the case.

But is the bat speed there? The outfield speed? The power? Those are traits that usually decline with age.

What do you think the odds are for pitcher B.J. Ryan to be Baltimore's closer for the future? He is young, reliable, left-handed and powerful. -- Justin L., Chesapeake Beach, Md.

Ryan is one of the league's premier relievers, but that doesn't necessarily mean he's meant to be a closer. Ryan struggled a bit in that role last season, so it remains to be seen whether he can save games. Closers are usually right-handed, so there will be a challenge for Ryan. And there is also a question of whether Ryan has the mental makeup to be a closer.

Some would say that it took so long for Ryan to develop as a setup man, why uproot him for a new role that might take a season of adjustment. The Orioles need a dependable closer this season, so it will be a tough call.

In the late 1990s, the O's had a comparable payroll to the Yankees. I think the fans understand that we can no longer compete with the Yankees and Red Sox in terms of sheer numbers, but why is our projected 2005 payroll lower than it was in the late '90s? It would have been nice for Baltimore to at least maintain an $80-$90 million payroll to give the club some more flexibility throughout the year. After dumping the contracts of David Segui, Marty Cordova, and Omar Daal, how can owner Peter Angelos continue to defend the team's payroll? -- Paul Zinder, Rome, Italy

Without a settlement from Major League Baseball regarding the Washington Nationals, the club has been hesitant to increase payroll, because it's not certain about the long-term health of the franchise with the presence of the Nationals. Also, the team did make offers to Carl Pavano, Richie Sexson and Carlos Delgado, so the payroll would have increased if any of those players signed.

The Orioles want to build through the farm system and be careful about adding pricy contracts, so don't expect their payroll to soar to the $100 million level any time soon. But there are plenty of young and inexpensive players who are going to be fun to watch in the future.

You recently wrote that Luis Matos is the only pure center fielder on the active roster. What are your thoughts about Tim Raines Jr.? Last year, he was up and down two or three times and still carried a .300-plus average until the final month. With his speed and exceptional defense, it would seem to me that with a good Spring Training, he may be a front-runner for the center field position. I think that he is a better fit to that lineup of heavy hitters. The O's need another speedster (aside from Brian Roberts) to get on base, steal some bags and score some runs. What are your thoughts? -- Scott. M., Florida

Raines could be a very important part of this team, but he is going to be challenged to make the club because of the deep bench. You have to figure that David Newhan is on the club, along with B.J. Surhoff, a reserve catcher and Chris Gomez, and perhaps one more two more spots. So Raines has plenty of impressions to make if he is to make the roster. Now if Matos were to falter, Raines could have a shot to sneak into the center field role or emerge as a backup outfielder.

The club could use his speed and defense, but Raines needs to show he can be a productive Major League player over long stretches.

What reasons do we O's fans have to be optimistic about Sammy Sosa leaving us after this season? While thanking Peter Angelos for the trade, Sosa said he hoped to end his career in Baltimore. What's your take on it? -- Steve P., Fredericksburg, Va.

Well, Sosa has never played a game at Camden Yards, there is no guarantee he is going to blend into the clubhouse well and he was probably as shocked by the trade as anyone else, so is it really fair for him to say he wants to sign a five-year extension to stay in Baltimore? I think once he gets accustomed to his surroundings, hits some home runs and the club seems satisfied with his production, then you will start hearing talk about extension. But as for now, I think it's good for both sides to hold off on that until it's certain he wants to stay and the club wants him.

Is the club set on Geronimo Gil as Javy Lopez's backup? Don't the Orioles lose a bit both offensively and defensively here? It's better to find a real good defensive catcher to back up Lopez, since the rest of the lineup can overcome a weaker hitting catcher. -- Jerry P., Lynchburg, Va.

Executive vice president Jim Beattie has said that Gil is the front-runner to win the No. 2 catcher job, and I think Gil is finally ready to assume a meaningful role on the club. He is a solid defensive catcher when he cuts down on his passed balls, and he also has some power in his bat, so Gil may not be a bad option.

Also, the club has veteran Sal Fasano and former prospect Eli Whiteside to push Gil. And don't be surprised if the Orioles are scanning the rosters of other clubs for potential catchers who might not make their teams. The backup catcher position is important if the Orioles want to reduce Lopez's workload this season, but there are plenty of players around the league who could fill that role.

Adam Loewen seems to be off the radar. No news, no reports, and that seems odd considering he was a very high first-round draft pick. What is his current status, and how do knowledgeable pitching gurus view his future? -- Al D., Baltimore

Loewen is in camp and will probably be limited until it's determined he's healthy. He was diagnosed with a partially torn labrum in September, but did not require surgery. Loewen struggled at times last season. He still has tremendous potential and there is a clock ticking, because of the Major League contract he signed in 2003. He has to stay on the 25-man roster by 2007 or be exposed to waivers. That seemed to be a cinch two years ago, but now he's is going to have to work fast through the system to be ready by then. So this is a pivotal spring for Loewen.