Ten questions for Sarasota

This annual concern has greater urgency for the Reds after a 2000 season in which the projected starting lineup played together just 14 times. Confirming the recovery of players such as Barry Larkin and Aaron Boone (left knee) is a top priority. Manager Bob Boone might restrain his son's activity until Aaron proves he can go all-out. Among the closely watched pitchers will be Pete Harnisch and Osvaldo Fernandez, who have weathered shoulder and elbow problems, respectively, and the injury-prone Scott Williamson.

2. What's the batting order?

Bob Boone promised more novelties than just Larkin in the leadoff spot. “I'm not letting it out yet,” said Boone, who wants to discuss his ideas with his coaches before announcing his batting order. “Believe me, for everything I do, I'll have 50 reasons. The world will be able to discuss it.” Does this mean Ken Griffey Jr. will bat fourth? Just as importantly, who'll surround him? Who occupies the No. 2 spot if Larkin departs it?

3. Can Junior bunt?

Why should anybody care about this? Because Boone plans on asking Griffey to work on it, at least a little bit. Boone understands why it might seem odd. “But the one time I ask him to bunt, we're going to win the game,” Boone said. “So I need to know he's going to get it down if I'm going to waste one of his swings.” Overall, this camp should be easier for Griffey, who became the center of a media circus upon joining the Reds last year. The carousels and tents are expected to move some 45 miles south to Port Charlotte, Fla, where Alex Rodriguez, the $252 million man, will be working out with the Texas Rangers.

4. Who's playing right field?

This should be the best position battle of the spring, but it sounds as if Alex Ochoa has the edge to gain the starting job. “Ochoa has shown he's ready to find out if he's an everyday player,” Boone said. He quickly added, “Having said that, Michael Tucker needs to play a lot.” Using Ochoa, a right-handed batter, against left-handed pitchers and Tucker, a lefty swinger, against righties would be the easy way out. But, Boone stressed, “I don't want to think of it as a platoon.”

5. How does Dennys Reyes' immediate future look?

Probably better than his recent past. The left-hander with the devastating array of pitches has been underused as a situational reliever. Sure, he occasionally struggles to find the strike zone; it's because he doesn't get enough work. “To me, Dennys Reyes has to do more this year, and I certainly expect him to,” said Boone, who will give Reyes a chance to crack the rotation.

6. Is Scott Williamson in a similar situation?

Pretty much. He and/or Reyes will move back to the bullpen if they aren't part of the five-man rotation. If the rotation is shaky, the Reds like the idea of having Williamson to join Scott Sullivan, John Riedling and Mark Wohlers to begin preserving leads for Danny Graves as early as the fifth or sixth inning. Then again, Williamson made an admirable transition to the rotation last year, posting a staff-best 2.93 ERA in 10 starts.

7. Can everybody get along?

Boone's coaching staff includes two men who wanted his job, Ron Oester and Ken Griffey Sr. Griffey should be comfortable, having regained his former duties as hitting coach. But Oester still faces the gnawing knowledge that he was offered the managerial job before it was wrested from him in a now-infamous (and fishy) misunderstanding over contract talks. Boone said he plans to talk to Oester at length to make sure they can coexist. It's doubtful Oester will have a similar chat with general manager Jim Bowden, whom Oester ripped after Boone was hired.

8. What about Boone himself?

Any incoming manager would come in for intense scrutiny. But Boone's methods will be examined more closely, because he's arriving with a reputation for micromanaging that dates back to his 1995-97 tenure with Kansas City. Boone will try some techniques and ploys that haven't been associated with the Reds in recent years (hitting-and-running and bunt defenses, for example), but he seems to realize he can't impose his will or intellect upon the game. “Ultimately, it's all the players,” he said.

9. Is Deion coming?

He probably will, as soon as the commissioner's office asks the other 29 general managers whether they'd block the Reds' signing of the would-be outfielder (technically, as a free agent who was cast aside by the Reds, Sanders can't re-sign with the club until May 1). He has virtually no shot at making the team, given his rustiness and Cincinnati's plethora of outfielders. Sanders does have a chance if he somehow regains the flash and dash he displayed in the early '90s and Michael Coleman falters in some way. At the very least, Sanders is good for springtime morale as a popular clubhouse figure.

10. What surprises are in store?

Because these are the Reds, and Bowden is their general manager, this spring won't follow a predictable script from start to finish. A trade involving Pokey Reese or Dmitri Young isn't out of the realm of possibility. Sullivan and Williamson also remain valuable commodities, and the former's three-year contract makes him easier to trade, because it locks in his value. This also could be the year another non-roster invitee such as Jared Fernandez makes the pitching staff, as Williamson did two years ago.

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