Tuesday, October 09, 2001
New math: Turning 47 into 40
Reds face significant decisions with roster
By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Reds general manager Jim Bowden and field manager Bob Boone met Monday morning.
Bowden would not say what they discussed, but you can be sure trimming the major-league roster to its 40-man limit was a major topic.
The Reds currently have 38 players on the roster, but seven — Pete Harnisch, Scott Williamson, John Riedling, Barry Larkin, Justin Atchley, Seth Etherton and Kelly Stinnett — are on the 60-day disabled list. And they must add two players — outfielders Austin Kearns and Ben Broussard — to the 40-man roster or risk losing them in the Rule 5 draft.
That's 47 players for 40 spots.
The Reds have until the last out of the World Series to trim the roster, but Bowden would like to do it sooner.
“We'd like to get it resolved in the next two weeks,” he said.
The Reds would open up three spots if their three free agents — Harnisch, Jose Rijo and Joey Hamilton — agree to minor-league contracts.
“We've had discussions with all three,” Bowden said. “We'd like to sign them to minor-league deals structured so that they're paid for innings pitched. We want them all back. They are all open-minded.”
The Reds can further reduce the roster by trading players or outrighting them to the minors.
D.T. Cromer, Jared Fernandez and Raul Gonzalez were signed as six-year, minor-league free agents. The Reds could take them off the 40-man and try to resign them.
The Reds also have the Ruben Rivera issue to resolve. Rivera holds an option for 2002. He can choose to re-sign with the Reds for $1 million or take a $350,000 buyout.
Rivera, who hit .255 with 10 home runs and 34 RBI in 263 at-bats, has until Nov. 1 to notify the Reds in writing whether he wants to exercise the option. The Reds would like a decision sooner.
“We think it benefits the Reds as well as Ruben to have the decision soon,” Bowden said.
Rivera said this weekend he's undecided.
The only other player with an option was Wilton Guerrero, and the Reds exercised that in mid-September.
If Rivera opts to leave, that could open a spot for one of the Reds' top outfield prospects, Kearns or Ruben Mateo.
“Kearns and Mateo will get an opportunity to play at the major-league level,” Bowden said. “They may start at Triple-A, but they have the capability and talent to play in the majors.”
Kearns, the Reds' 2000 minor-league player of the year, was limited to 59 games at Double-A by a thumb injury. He came on strong toward the end of the year and started well in the Arizona Fall League.
Mateo, obtained from Texas in the Rob Bell trade, is five weeks into a strength and conditioning program to help him fully recover from the broken femur he suffered in June 2000. He'll go from the program to winter ball in the Dominican Republic.
“I feel great,” he said. “I'm 100 percent now. By spring training, I'll be 120 percent.”
Bowden said the Reds have made a multiyear offer to outfielder Adam Dunn, who had 19 home runs in 244 at-bats as a rookie.
“We'd definitely like to sign him,” Bowden said. “We made a proposal. We've done that with many, many players ... We'd like to tie him up long-term either this year or next year or the next year. There's no rush.”
Reds Stories
LeBeau: Kitna's job is still safe
Injured Bengal DT out at least 4 weeks
Bengals notebook
Glenn back with Patriots
Pass-happy Rams whip Lions 35-0
Elder-St. X rivalry pervades lifestyles
Should Elder-St. X clash have moved?
St. X limits tickets to 8,000
Prep football player of the year update
Kentucky high school football poll
High school sports highlights
High school schedule
High school scores
XAVIER: Musketeer Madness Oct. 19
Lorenzen's future dim at UK
Mount volleyball on rise
Baseball playoff schedules
Local sports digest
Thanksgiving run course changes
• Return to Reds front page...
New math: Turning 47 into 40
