I'm sure the Rays and Baldelli have exhausted every avenue for treating his mitochondrial disorder, which is a rare malady that affects his muscles and can leave him fatigued. In addition, I'm sure both parties are constantly looking at other ways to treat it.

Meanwhile, Baldelli has done a nice job in limited play while learning how to live with his disorder and playing in the Major Leagues. Based on what Baldelli has told reporters in the past, he seems to be pushing the envelope every day to see how far he can go without pushing himself to fatigue. But it is a fine line, because once he becomes fatigued, it takes him an unusual amount of time to recover.

One thing is for sure, seeing him out there makes you remember what a good player he is. I know everybody is pulling for him to find a way to deal with his problem so he can continue to be a productive Major Leaguer.

B.J. Upton seems to be working at half-speed as he leisurely runs the bases and throws the ball back to the infield with nothing on it. What is it going to take to replace him with someone who has fire in his belly?
--Lloyd K., Sarasota

I don't think the Rays are looking to replace Upton anytime soon. While at times I would agree with you that he has not gone full-out, there are other times where I think his body language suggests lack of effort, when in reality it comes from the ease with which he is able to execute plays on the field.

Upton is well-liked in the clubhouse and respectful to the manager and coaches. I don't believe he is a problem, and I think the times that he has gone less than full-out, manager Joe Maddon has taken him to task for it. Based on his athletic ability and some of what I have seen him do, I think he is going to be a player all Rays fans will be happy to have on the team.

In essence, I understand how the impression is there that he does not have fire in his belly, but I think beneath the cool facade, Upton is a competitor and in fact does have that fire.

Have a question about the Rays? E-mail your query to MLB.com Rays beat reporter Bill Chastain for possible inclusion in a future Inbox column. Letters may be edited for brevity, length and/or content. First Name, Last Initial: Hometown: Email Address: Question:

Do you see Grant Balfour as an important part of the Rays' future, and in your opinion, do you think the club will sign him to a long-term deal?
--Nicholas H., Sydney, Australia

Balfour has come a long way in a short time to where he has made himself an important part of the Rays' future. Everybody knows he has great stuff, but his initial problem with the Rays dealt with his control. The Rays were lucky nobody picked up Balfour when he was designated for assignment at the end of Spring Training -- which is just one of about a hundred different things that have clicked in for the team this season.

Since his return, Balfour has been lights-out and seems to have his control issues, ah-hum, under control. As for long term, I could see the Rays wanting to make sure they can keep him around, he's definitely an asset in the bullpen and could be the team's future closer.

Joe Magrane is my favorite color commentator in baseball. I just think he does a great job of telling me what's going on during the Rays' telecasts. I missed him while he was away, but I thought Todd Kalas and Brian Anderson did a nice job filling in for him. I think a lot of viewers watching the Olympics were awakened to what a good job Joe does calling games as he took part as the color commentator for NBC's coverage. A lot of his insights just amaze me.
--Nick T., St. Petersburg

I'd have to agree with you. Whenever I get to watch the Rays' telecasts, I have always found Magrane's take interesting and insightful and I happened to catch his work on a couple of games during the Olympics, in particular the gold-medal game between South Korea and Cuba. Memorable were the comments he made noting how the home-plate umpiring was squeezing the strike zone on South Korea's starter at the end of the game. Several batters later, his point was validated when South Korea's catcher got ejected from the game for arguing with the umpire on the same point Magrane had called to his viewers' attention.

Magrane and play-by-play man Dewayne Staats have long given the Rays a quality team for their broadcasts.

With all the recent success for the Rays this season, do you think they will make any big offseason moves -- like maybe signing CC Sabathia, Matt Holiday, A.J. Burnett, etc.? If not, do you think they will bring up a prospect like Fernando Perez, David Price or Wade Davis?
--Jason W., Bradenton, Fla.

I think there's a much better chance they will bring up prospects rather than going outside the organization to sign high-priced free agents. Signing high-priced free agents is outside the model they have established for becoming a quality Major League team and maintaining that excellence once they reach it -- which it appears the Rays have managed to do. Given the talent they have at the Major League level and the talent they have in their system, there should be a nice competitive atmosphere in the organization for years to come.

Having said that, don't discount the Rays when it comes to making a deal. They've shown they don't mind pulling the trigger on a big deal if they believe it will improve the team. They have maintained all along that they will always be looking to improve the team year round, which means they could make a deal at any time if they think it's fair and improves the team.