Ruben Rivera's career with the Reds appears to be over. “His agent, Brian David, informed us that he's going to decline the option,” Reds general manager Jim Bowden said.

        That means the Reds will have to pay Rivera a $350,000 buyout. Had he accepted the option, the Reds would have had to pay him $1 million in salary for 2002.

        The Reds were working on a deal to trade Rivera to the Boston Red Sox for cash or a minor leaguer. If that happens, they won't have to pay the buyout.

        If the trade doesn't happen, the Reds could offer Rivera arbitration, but that is not likely.

        “We knew we were going to get him at $750,000 for one year ($400,000 salary plus the $350,000 buyout), or for two years at $700,000 (per year),” Bowden said. “Either way, we thought it was a good deal.”

        Rivera, a 27-year-old outfielder, hit .255 with 10 home runs and 34 RBI for the Reds. That was 54 points above his career average. But he continued to strike out at an alarming rate: 83 times in 263 at-bats.

        The Reds picked up Rivera after San Diego released him during spring training. Rivera was at one time considered one of the best prospects in baseball.

        He is a superior outfielder with a strong, accurate arm. But offensively, he's been unable to make contact consistently.

        Rivera's departure would open an outfield spot for one of the Reds' young prospects. Bowden says Ruben Mateo and Austin Kearns will be given an opportunity to make the big-league club.

        Kearns, the Reds' 1998 No.1 draft pick and 2000 minor-league player of the year, is tearing up the Arizona Fall League. Through Wednesday, he was hitting .519 with two homers and 14 RBI in eight games.

        Kearns and Mateo would better fit the Reds' salary structure than Rivera.

Rivera finished with Reds Reds move to solidify roster

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