The Reds want to pay Jeff Shaw $300,000 to pitch for them, which is $300,000 more than he's making now, throwing batting practice to 12-year-olds in Washington Court House. It's pretty good money, to some of us. Shaw has said no thanks.

        The Reds want him to pitch middle relief for a first-place team full of good relievers. Bob Boone already has enough quality arms to micro-meddle his way through any situation. Think of what Boone could do with Shaw. It'd be like giving Einstein a computer. Shaw has said no thanks.

        Here's a question: What else does Jeff Shaw have going on?

        He's hanging out at home, an hour up I-71, 35 years old and retired. After more than a decade of being away in the spring and summer, he's around for his kids. Fine, but how much BP can you toss before the grass starts growing between your toes? How much golf can you play? How can you go from being a very effective closer to being in the carpool?

        What is he thinking now, as spring turns to summer and he's not doing what he has always done? It's not as if Shaw had to retire, or wanted to. He saved 43 games last year. You don't do that if you're conflicted about your work.

        Did Shaw see Danny Graves go 0-for-2 over the weekend? Does he listen to Marty and Joe and yell at Boone for overworking the bullpen? Is it possible to walk away when you're still very good?

        Evidently.

It's a business

        The Reds have the leverage here: Their bullpen is terrific. They're playing well. No one is howling for Jeff Shaw. By insisting on playing close to home, Shaw put a dent in his bargaining power.

        After the $300,000 this year, the Reds have offered $3 million for 2003. Shaw has said no thanks. It's not enough.

        Shaw rejected a one-year, $7million deal from the Orioles this spring. He isn't worried about his finances. Shaw wants what he considers a fair deal. It's not the money. It's what the money represents.

        Shaw's position is familiar to anyone with an ego. It's familiar to anyone in a business where salaries are common knowledge and achievements are statistical and tangible.

        You want what you're worth. On that score, the only difference between Jeff Shaw and a sports columnist is the number of zeroes in the taxable gross.

        Because the Reds won't add payroll, they can't offer Shaw more unless they move a contract. Given Junior Griffey's apparent return this weekend, that might happen.

        Shaw runs every day, his agent Joe Bick said Tuesday. Bick said it would take Shaw two to three weeks to get ready. Shaw has said he's done talking about things.

Win-win situation

        If the Reds can't put up more than $3.3 million the next two years, Shaw ought to take it, if he really wants to play. If not, he can rattle around his house and collect memories he could never buy. He wins either way. The only better job than a major-leaguer is an ex-major-leaguer. You make lots of money. You get to retire when you're still young enough to spend it.

        But you have to think a guy who saved 43 games last year is feeling a little unfulfilled, career-wise. We'll see.

        E-mail: pdaugherty@enquirer.com. Past columns at Enquirer.com/columns/daugherty.

Reds 4, Brewers 3 Reds box, runs DAUGHERTY: Shaw should pitch for pennies 'Right feel' returning for Larkin Reds Notebook: Sullivan gets rest Pony backs Rose for Hall Mets 3, Dodgers 0 Giants 2, Braves 0 Padres 5, Expos 4 Marlins 6, Rockies 2

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