Congrats, readers, you went a whole week without filling my e-mail box with “Why won't Carl Lindner spend more money?” questions. Actually, most of the questions dealt with baseball, not money.

        That's a good thing.

        Question, from Scot in Lima, Ohio: It seems like Jim Bowden must have a personal vendetta against Jeff Shaw. Shaw has agreed to let bygones be bygones and sign at a bottom-of-the-barrel rate for someone of his caliber. I just don't get it. If we sign Shaw and keep Danny Graves in the bullpen and move Scott Williamson back to the bullpen, too ... the seventh, eighth and ninth are virtual locks. Scott Sullivan can get us there, and Gabe White and Jim Brower can span the gaps. With that bullpen, all you would expect of the young starters is four innings of keeping us in the ballgame. My only explanation is that for Jim, it's personal. Could it be?

        Don't think so. In fact, I think Bowden would make Shaw a better offer if the money were in the budget. If the Reds were to sign Shaw, I'd be inclined to try Graves and Williamson in the rotation. If it doesn't work, you can always put them back in the bullpen. If it does work, you have a decent rotation.

        Q, from Dave in Carlisle: I am very optimistic about the Reds. Last year Lance Davis pitched very well, Chris Reitsma pitched great at times, and after Jose Rijo started helping Jose Acevedo, Acevedo was pitching great as well. Elmer Dessens also had a nice season. I think with a full year of Adam Dunn, Junior Griffey, Barry Larkin, Todd Walker and Aaron Boone, the Reds can be very competitive if the young starters continue to develop. Am I wrong to be so optimistic?

No. Go right ahead hoping. That's what makes baseball great. Everyone has a chance in January. The Reds' chances, as you say, hinge on the young pitchers being a lot better this year.

        Q, from James: I lived in Cincinnati for 27 years and always came back to attend games. But this is a joke when Double-A pitchers are being used against teams like Arizona and St. Louis. There is no hope of the Reds coming in second or even third. Elmer Dessens their best pitcher? Not even trying to pursue Shaw? My fastball has been clocked at 42 miles per hour. Can I get a tryout with the Reds?

        Do you have any movement on that fastball? How's your breaking stuff? But, seriously, if the Reds finish third in the NL Central, they will have played well above their heads and salaries.

        Q, from Randy in Findlay, Ohio: I read your probables for the 2002 rotation and noticed a name missing. Is Jose Rijo being considered as a starting pitcher or as a relief pitcher?

        Rijo did not pitch well in the Dominican winter league (0-2, 10.13 ERA). He shut it down to rest his arm. So he's more likely to be in the bullpen, but with Rijo, anything is possible.

        Q, from Ian: How do you see next year's starting rotation shaping up? Also, can you tell me how Rijo and Jose Acevedo have been doing in the winter leagues and what Rijo's chances are of making the team next year?

        Acevedo did well for Aguilas in the Dominican League. He went 2-0 with a 3.04 ERA in 13 games, all in relief. I wouldn't bet against Rijo.

        Q, from Bill: GM Jim Bowden says the Reds can't afford to pay Chris Stynes, a bench player, $1.25 million. Yet they're paying Kelly Stinnett $1.15 million in '02 and Juan Castro $400,000. That totals $1.55 million. They could have signed Stynes for $1.25 million and used Corky Miller at catcher at the major-league minimum of, I believe, $200,000, and the total would be $1.45 million, saving $100,000.

        It doesn't work, because baseball contracts are guaranteed. So the Reds would have had to trade Stinnett and Castro to make room for Stynes. Miller isn't ready. He hit .185 in the Arizona Fall League.

        John Fay covers the Reds for the Enquirer. He can be reached at jfay@enquirer.com. Please include neighborhood or hometown.

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Page Two: The top five
DAUGHERTY: On Moeller
Crusade for new gym ends for Moeller
Glen Este rolls past Kings 43-36
Boys basketball roundup
Girls basketball roundup
Ohio boys basketball scores
Ohio girls basketball scores
Kentucky boys basketball scores
Kentucky girls basketball scores
Indiana boys basketball scores
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