BOSTON — The Reds didn't make any trades on the first day of the winter meetings here. But they had a big one fall through.

        A trade that would have sent Dmitri Young to Atlanta for starting pitcher Kevin Millwood could not be completed, sources with knowledge of the deal said, because of financial reasons.

        Reds general manager Jim Bowden would not comment on specific trade talks. But he said:

        “We've met with several clubs and talked with several others,” Bowden said. “We're working on some things.”

        The Reds' biggest need is starting pitching. Millwood, a 27-year-old right-hander, is available only be cause he has struggled the last two years. He was 7-7 with a 4.31 ERA last year and 10-13 with a 4.66 ERA in 2000. But Millwood also went 18-7 in 1999 and 17-8 in '98.

        Young fills a need for the Braves because right now their everyday first baseman is Julio Franco. First base is Young's best position, and he'd also give the Braves an extra outfielder.

        Filling the void at first base was the Braves' No.1 priority coming into the meetings.

        The fact the deal was held up for financial reasons says a lot about how tight the Reds' budget is. Millwood made $3.1 million last year — less than the $3.5 million Young made.

        But the Reds' payroll is apparently going to be close to the $43 million it was last year. With 11 players arbitration-eligible, the Reds will have to trade high-salaried players to make their budget.

        The most likely candidates are Young and Pokey Reese. Reese made $3.1 million last year. He, like Young, is due a raise through arbitration. Both Reese and Young are free agents after the 2002 season and neither is talking about a long-term deal with the Reds. So it makes sense that they're on the trading block.

        The development of Austin Kearns and Gookie Dawkins, both of whom played extremely well in the Arizona Fall League, gives the Reds cheaper alternatives to Young and Reese.

        The Reds' baseball people — almost the entire front office staff is here — met with the New York Mets and the Chicago Cubs Sunday.

        The Cubs have a need at shortstop. The Chicago Tribune reported Sunday that the Cubs were talking with the Kansas City Royals about acquiring Neifi Perez.

        Cubs manager Don Baylor is a fan of Reese. The Reds would gladly send Reese to the Cubs if Chicago is willing to part with young right-hander Juan Cruz.

        The Reds have meetings set up with Atlanta, St. Louis, Detroit, Baltimore, Boston, Kansas City and the Chicago White Sox today.

        Bowden and manager Bob Boone are scheduled to meet with Jim Lefebrve about the hitting coach's vacancy today as well.

        But the trade talks get the attention here. While starting pitching is a top priority, Boone said that's not the only thing the Reds will discuss.

        “The mission statement is to get better,” he said. “I don't know how we'll do that. Getting better might mean do nothing. But the point is to get together and talk.”

        Bowden said nothing had changed on the Jeff Shaw front. Shaw is interested in returning to the Reds, even for less than his market value.

        Latest news from winter meetings

Young-for-Millwood deal killed Baseball free agents still hot commodities

Jaguars 14, Bengals 10
Bengals report card
DAUGHERTY: Blame the coaches for bad offense
SULLIVAN: No more scorn for pass rush
Smith, Brunell star despite each other
Jackson hits career milestone
Bengals injury report
Bengals Notebook
Battered Brunell inspires Jaguars
Steelers 18, Jets 7
Broncos 20, Seahawks 7
'Shootout' can wait for UC, Xavier
Last loss to Toledo still stings Bearcats
Wisconsin is trouble for XU
XU women beat Toledo in three OTs
Local players on losing end of NCAA soccer final
Ohio State gets bowl rematch
Bellisari credits family, teammates with helping him
Cooper interested in Indiana job
Roethlisberger named Miami MVP
Sports events this week
High school week ahead
This week's boys basketball schedule
This week's girls basketball schedule
Cincinnati high school results
Highlands' Smith finalist for Mr. Football

• Return to Reds front page...