Scott Sullivan remains a Red, which is almost as stunning as Santa Claus saying “The heck with it,” and making it a Blockbuster night.

        And unless general manager Jim Bowden receives an irresistible trade proposal, Sullivan will report to Cincinnati's Sarasota, Fla., spring training complex in mid-February and don a crimson practice jersey with his familiar No.56 on the back.

        “It would hurt this team more than people realize if he was traded,” Bowden said a few days ago.

        Sullivan has been a workhorse for three seasons, joining Hoyt Wilhelm (1952-54) as the only pitcher to lead the majors in relief innings for three straight years.

        He has been an effective bridge from middle relief to closer Danny Graves.

        Last season, Sullivan was 3-6 with a 3.47 ERA and three saves over 106ô innings in 79 games. He had a 2.20 ERA over his last 44 appearances.

        In the last three seasons, he has averaged 75 games and 107ô innings.

        As this offseason began, it seemed likely that Sullivan would be traded.Reds players privately believed he would.

        It was all a matter of money. Sullivan's 2001 salary is destined to approach $2 million through salary arbitration. That's surely more than the payroll-challenged Reds could afford, the conventional wisdom was.

        But Sullivan is still around, though Atlanta and Cleveland expressed interest. Bowden said numerous teams have asked about Sullivan. He added that he has fielded “a tremendous amount” of inquiries about the Reds' other talented young pitchers, including Graves, Rob Bell, Dennys Reyes and Scott Williamson.

        Bowden doesn't need to be reminded of the obvious: Trading Sullivan — or any of the other Reds pitchers — would be counterproductive.

        “As people know, all of the trades we've worked on have brought pitching back,” Bowden said, referring to the host of prospects the Reds have gathered. “We certainly don't want to weak en our pitching unless we more than strengthen (the team) in other ways.”

        Yes, Ron Villone and Steve Parris are gone. But they also will earn about $3 million apiece next year, and Bowden was under orders to limit the payroll somehow.

        Arbitration virtually guarantees that Sullivan will double his $1.1 million salary, or come close to that. But at some point, a club must concern itself with winning ballgames in spite of the budget. Sullivan gives the Reds a chance to win virtually every day. Sullivan can stifle opponents while the Reds rally, or preserve leads for Graves to close.

        The Reds won't have an outstanding starting rotation next year. But they could compensate for that with a strong bullpen — especially if Sullivan's part of it.

        “He's one of the most underrated players on this team,” said Bowden, adding that Sullivan's ability to consume innings “is something very unique in baseball.

        Bowden even cited Sullivan's demeanor as an asset.

        “Scott's a class act,” he said. “He represents the Cincinnati Reds on and off the field the way we like our organization represented.”

        If it was wrong to predict Sullivan's imminent departure, it's also risky to figure he's safe with the club. “He's gone,” said a member of the baseball industry who has knowledge of the Reds' dealings with Sullivan. “I don't see him staying there.”

        With the Reds, it's often best to wait and see what happens.

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