Saturday, March 24, 2001
Reds just about set for Opening Day
Team must cut 5 before April 1
By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer
SARASOTA, Fla. — The retirement of Hal Morris left the Reds with 30 players on their roster. But the final 25 players and their roles with the team are almost set.
The moves the Reds have made recently, along with contracts and options, make most of the remaining cuts fairly predictable, barring trades or injuries.
Morris saw what was coming. He was under a minor-league contract, so the Reds could cut him without consequence financially. That made it difficult for him to make the club.
“He knew,” Reds manager Bob Boone said.
In fact, few mysteries remain about the Reds this spring.
• The batting order will be:
Barry Larkin, shortstop
Dmitri Young, left field;
Ken Griffey Jr., center field
Sean Casey, first base
Alex Ochoa, right field
Aaron Boone, third base
Pokey Reese, second base
Jason LaRue, catcher
The big question was Larkin's health. It looks like he'll be ready. Even if he's slightly slowed by his strained right groin, Larkin will lead off.
“I don't want to be really aggressive because of the firepower we have in the lineup,” Bob Boone said. “Most of the great base stealers (such as) Rickey Henderson don't start running until May. I'm inclined not to be really aggressive early, so this will work out perfectly.”
As for Larkin?
“I'm cool with it,” he said of leading off.
• The bench also appears set: Kelly Stinnett will be the backup catcher. Michael Tucker and Ruben Rivera will be the fourth and fifth outfielders. Juan Castro, Wilton Guerrero and Donnie Sadler will be the backup infielders.
Guerrero's contract pays him $400,000 this year and has a $250,000 buyout. Sadler is out of options and has hit .303 with four steals this spring.
That means third-base prospect Brandon Larson and utilityman Chris Sexton are out. Larson could use a year at Triple-A. Sexton is under a minor-league contract.
Tucker will be the only left-handed hitter on the bench, which probably means Rivera will see the majority of time as a defensive replacement.
“He's outstanding defensively,” Boone said of the recently acquired Rivera. “He's probably in Griffey's class.”
The rotation probably will be: Pete Harnisch, Osvaldo Fernandez, Elmer Dessens, Rob Bell and Chris Reitsma. Reitsma and Scott Williamson are still battling for the fifth spot.
“In my mind, (Reitsma) is a starter,” Boone said. “But he can relieve.”
The difference is, Williamson has been an effective reliever in the majors. If Williamson returns to the bullpen, he would join Danny Graves, Scott Sullivan, Mark Wohlers, Dennys Reyes and John Riedling.
Justin Atchley, the long-shot lefty, would be out in that scenario. His only hope is if Williamson makes the rotation.
The Reds have until April1 to cut the roster, but it probably will happen earlier.
“We can make the decisions right now,” Boone said. “Some of these guys might not be able to help us April2, but they might be able to help us on April8. We need to get them playing time, so they're ready if we need them.”
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Reds just about set for Opening Day