Reds manager Bob Boone spends a lot more time these days thinking about who will be in his starting rotation next year than who will be in his lineup. That's because the rotation has a lot more questions than the lineup. Still, the lineup isn't certain.

        “You'll have (Ken) Griffey, (Sean) Casey, (Adam) Dunn in the middle,” he said. “But so many things could happen.”

        The big question: Who will be in the top two spots? Barry Larkin will be in one of them. But which one?

        “I don't know,” Boone said. “I look at Larkin as one of the best leadoff men in the league and I look at him as one of the best two-hole hitters.”

        How the lineup stacks up will have a lot to do with offseason moves. Pokey Reese, Todd Walker and Larkin probably won't all be here next year. Larkin is under contract, and as a 10-and-5 player (10 years in the majors, at least the last five with the same club), he must approve a trade.

        Reese and Walker both make enough money that if the Reds keep them, it will be as starters.

        “The lineup will work itself out,” Boone said.

        The rotation is more difficult to figure out because you have so many people in the mix.

        All the current starters will be competing for spots, along with Pete Harnisch, Seth Etherton, John Riedling and Scott Williamson.

        While none of the rookies — Lance Davis, Chris Reitsma or Jose Acevedo — are locks to make the starting staff, Boone is happy with the progress of all three.

        “I'm real pleased with the development,” Boone said. “By next spring, they'll all come in making less rookie mistakes. They have that confidence, (thinking) "Gee, I can pitch in this league.'”

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