E-mailers ripped Ken Griffey Jr. (there's a shocker) and wondered about Scott Rolen and Jeff Shaw, among other things. Read on:

        Question, from Jack in Northern Michigan: Of course, Bob Boone and Barry Larkin will always defend Junior and his ability to make the Reds winners. It's time for them to stop and smell the coffee. Junior has not made the Reds winners. Why should he ruin the chemistry our boys have going now? Send him home to Seattle. He'll be happier, and so will we.

        And by the way, if the Mariners will take Larkin for a shortstop prospect or a $4 million starter, let's send him, too. He should have retired two years ago. ... If Bob Boone isn't smart enough to keep a winning combination together, then there should be no complaint from the front office when attendance is down. From the fans, the front office is getting what they are paying for. I wish the same could be said for getting what they are paying for from Larkin and Junior.

        A: I'm truly perplexed by how Reds fans have soured on Griffey. He has played well when he is healthy. When he has been out, he has been legitimately hurt. Griffey came here for less money. He's a good citizen off the field. He handled the criticism from Pokey Reese and Dmitri Young perfectly. The Reds haven't been any offensive juggernaut without him.

        Q, from Ben: Third baseman Scott Rolen once mentioned he'd like to play for Cincinnati. I have always loved to watch Rolen, and his tenure in Philly is up. What is the likelihood of putting together some such Aaron Boone-Juan Encarnacion-Jose Silva package to secure him? ... Also, is there something we could do to grab starter Bud Smith while he's struggling and recently sent down?

        A: Second question first. Smith is on the DL, not in the minors. I don't think the Cardinals would trade him. As for the first question, Rolen is probably too expensive for the Reds. I'd sign Boone for considerably less money and invest the rest in pitching. A lot of people will disagree, but I don't think Rolen is enough of an upgrade over Boone when you factor in the cost.

        Q, from Dave: What are you smoking? The Reds are 19th, huh? I know you don't want to look extra stupid for bashing the Reds in the preseason, but they deserve better than 19th (in the weekly power rankings). In case you don't know, the Reds have the best record in the National League and the third-best in all of baseball. Who knows how long the Reds can keep this going, but for the time being, they should be in at least the top 10.

        Your ratings are very hard to follow and are completely inconsistent. To me, power rankings should be a list of who are currently the hottest and toughest teams. ... It seems as if you are looking at presently mediocre teams, teams like Atlanta or St.Louis, and rating them high now because you think these teams have potential and will likely break from their present slump. Find some consistency to your list or at least print a small disclaimer at the top that says, “This list is totally my opinion and is only accurate in the make-believe fantasy world that I live in.”

        A: Dave, you are right in that there is no science to my power rankings, (although I did move the Reds way up this week). My rough formula is to rate the team highest that I think will be there at the end. You take the Reds for the NL title, and I'll take the Diamondbacks. See who gets better odds in Vegas. Power rankings mean something in September. Right now, they're anyone's guess. If you feel yours are better than mine, e-mail them to me and I'll try to compare yours with mine next week.

        Q, from Jay in Beavercreek: In my opinion, the Reds should trade Hal Morris, I mean Sean Casey, for some young pitching prospects. I would move Adam Dunn to first and have Austin Kearns, Griffey, and Encarnacion/Wily Mo Pena in the outfield. Casey has no power. He can't pull the ball. Right fielders are playing him shallow. You need power at the corners when you have no power at second, short and catcher. Pittsburgh might relish Casey. Casey is a great guy, but Dunn can play first and Kearns has shown e-mailers why he was chosen over (Raul) Gonzalez to be promoted.

        A: Casey is a good clutch hitter. He drives in runs. Mark Grace was the first baseman on the world champions last year, and he hit 15 home runs. The strongest reason for keeping Casey is, he's a great guy with whom fans can identify. You can't keep running different players out there year after year.

        Q, from John in Salisbury, Md.: How close is this Jeff Shaw thing? Or are we keeping our hopes up for no reason? I know he's been throwing and staying in shape, so has this thing got a 50/50 chance? Better? Worse? With Shaw on board, the division is a lock!

        A: I asked Shaw's agent, Joe Bick, the same question. His reply: “I've got no idea.” Or words to that effect.

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