The Reds approach the winter meetings in an unusual position — last place. That reflects their standing not in the National League Central, but on the division's projected payroll list.

        It's an ominous sign in this era, when high finishes are rarely possible without high-salaried players.

        Nothing will change after the meetings begin Friday in Dallas. As fans know by now, the Reds are absent from the publicized pursuits of free agents such as Alex Rodriguez, Mike Hampton and Darren Dreifort, all of whom will command exorbitant wages.

        But lack of funds hasn't prompted Cincinnati general manager Jim Bowden, who's searching primarily for a backup catcher and more pitching help, to concede the division.

        “It (payroll disparity) doesn't matter to me. Talent's what matters to me,” Bowden said Wednesday. “We like that challenge. We think that regardless of payroll, if we can get enough starting pitching, we can play with every single team in the division right now.”

        But they can't pay with them. St.Louis ($75 million), Chicago (between $53 million and $75 million, depending on whether the Cubs sign any free agents), Houston ($58 million), Pittsburgh ($47 million) and Milwaukee (up to $45 million) will exceed Cincinnati's projected payroll, which is believed to be $42 million.

        Formerly, Pittsburgh and Milwaukee were among baseball's poorest-paying teams. But the new stadiums they'll move into next season have increased the teams' revenue streams. Milwaukee could slip behind the Reds, at about $38 million-$39 million, depending on player acquisitions.

        Bowden said defending champion St. Louis will be the Central's “team to beat.” The Cards raised ticket prices this week and said the money would go toward payroll.

        Bowden pointed out that the Cardinals have lost Will Clark to retirement, might not have Eric Davis or Shawon Dunston and may not be able to re-sign 15-game winner Pat Hentgen.

        “Obviously we have to watch the moves they make. But we think we can compete with them,” Bowden said. “We feel confident that our position players can compete in our division, both offensively and defensively, and our bullpen has the potential to be one of the best in the division.”

        That leaves starting pitching, the most important component to success. Remaining optimistic, Bowden noted that key members of the rotation, such as Pete Harnisch and the now-departed Ron Villone and Steve Parris, were signed at bargain prices.

        “Payroll is not an issue,” Bowden reiterated. “We just have to figure out a way to get our starting rotation to improve.”

        For the Reds, this year's winter meetings will clash drastically with last year's in Anaheim, Calif., where Bowden checked into the headquarters hotel near Disneyland and announced, “I'm here to get (Ken) Griffey (Jr.), not Goofy.”

        “Every winter meetings you go to is different,” he said. “The major difference that continues to grow every year is the number of teams that can compete for premier free agents. It used to be 25. Then it went to 20, then 15, then 10, now eight and in some cases five. That part's interesting. When players sign, there's not a lot of surprise, because everybody knows who's going to sign Hampton or (Mike) Mussina or Alex Rodriguez.”

        NOTES: Contrary to prior indications, the Reds are likely to offer salary arbitration to free agent reliever Mark Wohlers by today's deadline. Wohlers has pitched only 28ö major-league innings in the last two seasons, diminishing his bargaining power. Given their commitment to catcher Jason LaRue, the Reds probably won't offer arbitration to their other free agent, Benito Santiago. This would prevent them from re-signing him until May 1 and essentially would sever his Cincinnati ties.

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