Outfielder Adam Dunn will headline the Reds' annual winter caravan this month. Dunn, who hit 19 home runs in 66 games as a rookie last season, will join outfield prospect Austin Kearns, manager Bob Boone, chief operating officer John Allen, pitcher Scott MacRae, Hall of Fame broadcaster Marty Brennaman and minor-league pitcher Trever Miller to meet fans in the Reds' marketing area.

        The bus caravan will cover six cities and three states over three days: Jan.24 (Dayton, Ohio), Jan.25 (Lima and Columbus) and Jan.26 (Louisville and Lexington, and Charlestown, W.Va.).

        Lima replaced Indianapolis on this year's caravan, said Reds spokesman Rob Butcher, because interest in Indianapolis has decreased since the Reds moved their Triple-A affiliate from there to Louisville after the 1999 season. Indianapolis will be considered next year, Butcher said.

        The team will travel on a rented, 45-foot motor coach. An estimated 200-500 fans per stop will mingle with the Reds, getting pictures taken and autographs signed at malls and civic centers. All events are free and open to the public.

        DODGERS:

        Outfielder Gary Sheffield is unhappy with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Again.

        The subject of numerous trade rumors recently, Sheffield said he wants either to be dealt before spring training or be assured he will remain with the Dodgers until his contract expires after 2004.

        And Sheffield he said he has lost trust in the team in the wake of a recent conversation with Dan Evans in which the Dodgers general manager told him he didn't try to trade him to the Oakland Athletics.

        “When somebody tells you something and then they hang up the phone and you know it's not the truth, it's one of those things where you wonder to yourself what you have to do to get the truth,” Sheffield was quoted as saying in Wednesday's editions of the Los Angeles Times.

        PIRATES:

Reliever Mike Williams returned to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday, agreeing to a $7million, two-year contract with Pittsburgh.

        Williams, 33, began last season with the Pirates, then was traded to Houston in July.

        The right-hander had 22 saves in 40 games for the Pirates last year and went 2-4 with a 3.67 ERA before he was traded to Houston.

        CUBS:

Free agent infielder Chris Stynes and the Chicago Cubs agreed Wednesday to a $1.25 million, one-year contract.

        Stynes, 28, has played in the major leagues since 1995 with Toronto, Kansas City, Cincinnati and Boston. He became a free agent Dec.20 when he was not offered a contract by the Red Sox.

        Stynes has batted .292 with 34 homers and 150 RBI in 518 big-league games while playing six different positions, mostly at third, second and in left field.

        TIGERS: Detroit Tigers right-hander Brian Moehler, who missed most of last season with an injured shoulder, agreed Wednesday to a one-year contract worth $2.4 million.

        Moehler started once for Detroit last season before having arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder in July. He has a 47-51 record with a 4.49 ERA in 128 starts with the Tigers.

        RED SOX:

Massachusetts Attorney General Thomas Reilly said Major League Baseball “played a major role” in deciding the winning bidder for the Boston Red Sox, calling into question the fairness of the sale process.

        Reilly is investigating the sale of the team after the Red Sox rejected the highest bid in favor of a $660 million offer from a group headed by Florida Marlins owner John Henry, who is close to commissioner Bud Selig. Lawyer Miles Prentice headed a group that offered $750 million for the team.

        “Major League Baseball was calling the shots here,” Reilly said after a four-hour meeting with Red Sox chief executive officer John Harrington and team lawyers.

Dunn biggest draw among Reds' winter caravan crew

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