Dodgers reliever Jeff Shaw (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        Today is the first day clubs can talk contracts with free agents.

        Look for a lot of talk and little action for at least a couple of days. With contraction and labor issues unresolved, most clubs are in a holding pattern.

        The Reds certainly are. Take the case of former Red Jeff Shaw, the one big name free agent the Reds might have a chance of landing. Shaw is interested in returning. The Reds are interested in having him back.

        But the Reds — because of pending trades and contraction — don't know what they can afford to offer.

        “They have some financial issues to resolve before we can move forward,” said Shaw's agent, Joe Bick.

        Reds general manager Jim Bowden could not be reached for comment.

        Shaw, 36, is a free agent because the Los Angeles Dodgers did not pick up his $7.05 million option for 2002, paying him a $1.15 million buyout instead.

        Shaw had a strong year: 43 saves, 3.62 ERA. He allowed only 64 hits in 74 2/3 innings. He struck out 58 and walked 18.

        Shaw, of course, has some history with the Reds. He was traded just before the All-Star Break in 1998 — for Dennys Reyes and Paul Konerko — two days after he was named an All-Star and two months after he signed a contract extension.

        He was not happy with the trade. He later said he would have killed general manager Jim Bowden if they were in the same room at the time of the trade.

        “He was aggravated at the time,” Bick said. “He had signed for less than half of what he was worth. But Jim felt like he had no choice but to make the trade. But that's water under the bridge.”

        Bick said it's too early to say if Shaw would demand a no-trade contract.

        Shaw may even be willing to take less than market value again. He still lives in Washington Court House, Ohio. He commuted the 80 miles a day during the 2 1/2 seasons he was a Reds.

        “Certainly, Jeff has a strong desire to play closer to home,” Bick said. “There's a lot of space between here and Los Angeles. But Cincinnati would be ideal.”

        And Bick adds that's there is plenty of interest from other clubs as well.

        But other clubs, like the Reds, aren't moving quickly.

        “It's been a slow fall,” Bick said. “Baseball seems to be on hold since the World Series — unfortunately.”

        Signing Shaw would allow the Reds to consider moving Danny Graves into the starting rotation. That's something manager Bob Boone is open to. In fact, the plan is to have Graves work as a starter early in spring training.

Free-agent Shaw interested in Reds

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