Sean Casey congratulates Juan Encarnacion after his game winning hit in the bottom of the 9th against the Rockies at Cinergy Field on April 24. (Jeff Swinger photo) DESKTOP WALLPAPER Click to view image, then right-click to Set As Background | WALLPAPER |

        Too good to be traded for just any arm — but pricey enough by next year that he could be the odd man out of the Reds' talent-laden outfield — Juan Encarnacion presents a dilemma for the team he has helped carry into first place.

        “I like it here,” he said during last week's two-game series at Cinergy Field against the Cardinals. “Everybody has made me feel at home. It (the trade to the Reds) is one of the best things that happened in my career. I needed a change.”

        Encarnacion, who is on pace for a 30-30 season (home runs and stolen bases) may wind up being one of Reds general manager Jim Bowden's best trades ... if Encarnacion is around long enough to prove it.

        Bowden doesn't like hearing talk like that.

        He is fine with the part about Encarnacion being one of the club's better trades, but he is uncomfortable with any talk about Encarnacion being a short-termer.

        Bowden said the Reds worked hard to assemble their present lineup and aren't going to trade somebody just because everybody can't play every day.

        Bowden acquired Encarnacion and pitcher Luis Pineda from Detroit in the offseason. The Tigers received Dmitri Young, a popular player but one who didn't want to remain a Red.

        It's a long season, and invariably somebody gets injured. Witness Friday night when now injury-prone center fielder Ken Griffey Sr. strained his right hamstring. Or Saturday when Encarnacion was hit in the temple with a thrown ball before the game at Anaheim and had to be scratched from the lineup.

        Depth makes for a better ballclub, Bowden said. He isn't saying he wouldn't trade a regular if the right offer came along — his philosophy has always been, “whatever makes us a better club” — but the impression he leaves is that Encarnacion, and the rest of the core, isn't to go anywhere.

        Encarnacion, who is making $1.5million this year, probably would be in the $3 million range next year. He's not a bank-breaker yet, but next month could be interesting when teams start wheeling and dealing before the July31 trading deadline. Will the Reds still be in the race? Will another team need a center fielder or right fielder? If so, Encarnacion will draw attention.

        He appears to have come into his own after three full seasons in Detroit in which the numbers say he didn't quite live up to his five-tool potential (running, fielding, throwing, hitting for average and hitting for power).

        He had a good first full season as a 23-year-old in 1999, hitting 19 home runs, driving in 74 runs and stealing 33 bases. But he dropped off in all three categories in 2000 and '01 and fell out of favor with then-Tigers manager Phil Garner.

        That isn't the case with the Reds.

        “From what I can see, Juan feels very comfortable in this clubhouse,” Reds slugger Adam Dunn said. “Everybody makes him feel relaxed. He can just go out there and play. I think that has a lot to do with it.”

        Two of the huge presences in the Reds clubhouse who have made Encarnacion feel at home are fellow Dominican Jose Rijo and bilingual shortstop Barry Larkin, whose locker is next to Encarnacion's.

        “We talk about all sorts of things — the team, guys, other teams, pitchers, whatever comes up,” Larkin said. “We hang out; we go out. He speaks more English than he lets on (with reporters).”

        Encarnacion said he talked to Rijo in the Dominican Republic during the offseason and was impressed by how highly Rijo spoke of the Reds.

        “I worked hard in the offseason,” Encarnacion said. “I told myself I was going to be ready.”

        A big reason Encarnacion is feeling comfortable with his new team is he's “doing very well,” Larkin said.

        It's a classic change-of-scenery story.

        Through Friday's game with the Angels, Encarnacion's 11 home runs had him tied with Dunn for the team lead, and his 34 RBI were second only to Dunn's 38. Encarnacion, hitting .260, does not have Dunn's eye and patience (he had walked only 17 times, compared to Dunn's 51), which largely is why he trailed Dunn by 141 points in on-base percentage (.314 to .455).

        But Encarnacion's speed is an equalizer; his 30 runs are only three behind team leader Dunn.

        “Juan does everything well,” Larkin said.

        Nobody yet is saying Encarnacion is the next Sammy Sosa — a late-bloomer turned megastar — but it's unlikely the Reds would let any concerns in that area get in the way of them acquiring some sparkling starting pitching that could be around for a while.

        But Encarnacion is an intriguing case. He was a pitcher until late in his amateur career. He's a quiet guy, tending toward moody when things aren't going well, so he's potentially high-maintenance. But on a team full of good hitters where he doesn't have to be “the guy,” he seems well-situated.

        Some fans think Sean Casey would be the better trade candidate — he doesn't have Encarnacion's power, and trading Casey would make room for outfielder Dunn at first base, his best position — but it's difficult to imagine the Reds dealing Casey.

        The Reds are already fighting a losing battle at the gate, and trading the ultra-popular Casey would only cause more fans to stay home.

        In this regard, Encarnacion could be considered more expendable — even though he's a five-tool player whose speed spices up the Reds considerably. But the Reds would have to be convinced that the pitching they're being offered is better than what they have now and better than what's in the pipeline. It isn't clear Encarnacion would bring it.

        That is why July could be interesting. Pay attention to other teams that are in contention for division championships and wild-card berths, and ask yourself: Do they need a center fielder or right fielder?

        Meanwhile, Encarnacion continues to win baseball games.

        It's hard to believe Encarnacion is the same guy who was last in the American League last year with runners in scoring position (.191).

        “He definitely carried us early,” Larkin said.

        When the Young-for-Encarnacion (and Pineda) trade took place, it was viewed as the Reds dumping salary and the Tigers dumping an underachieving outfielder.

        Oh, what a difference two months make.

        The trade is heavily in favor of the Reds now. Encarnacion filled in fabulously for Griffey in center field during the two months Junior was recovering from a torn patella tendon suffered in a rundown April7.

        The Reds don't lack for swagger, and Encarnacion fits right into that image. On a team of younger (Dunn, 22, and Austin Kearns, 21) and more tenured (Griffey Jr., 32) power hitters, the 26-year-old Encarnacion is an enviable middle man.

        “He hits the ball harder than anybody I've ever played with,” Dunn said. “That's pretty amazing for a guy who can hit anywhere in the order, including leadoff.”

        He hits the ball harder than anybody you ever played with?

        “Oh!” said Dunn, grimacing. “He hits the ball so hard. To all fields. I don't know if it's bat speed that does that, or what. He's got great bat speed, but the ball just jumps off his bat.”

       E-mail jerardi@enquirer.com

Reds 4, Angels 3 Reds box, runs Reds Q & A Encarnacion fitting right in with Reds Encarnacion hit by ball in practice Griffey's hamstring injury not too serious Reds chatter Cinergy Moment No. 24. - July 22, 1986 Down on the farm Louisville 9, Pawtucket 0 Ramirez closer to returning to Red Sox Saturday roundup John Fay's MLB rankings Notes from Saturday's games

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7 athletes strong, Middies win title
Area runners come close, fall short
CovCath exploits LexCath errors
Richards finishes run to the top
Sycamore stopped 1 step from title
Norwood star signs with UC
Prep schedules
McDuffie sues Dolphins doctors
Born to be rivals, they fought for keeps too late
Lewis knocks out Tyson
Marion Jones wins 100 easily into tough wind
Saturday's NCAA Super Regionals
Croatia stuns Italy
U.S. team to enter red cauldron against South Korea
World Cup TV schedule
Attendance, handle records smashed at Belmont Stakes
War Emblem falls short in Triple Crown bid
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Nets hope familiar surroundings help Martin, Van Horn
Nets shooting woes have to end
Da Matta gets first pole at Monterey
GROESCHEN: Cup drivers to highlight Busch race
Marlin shows speed at drying Pocono
Montoya beats Schumacher in record qualifying
Ward wins Boomtown 500
Daniel on verge of major victory
Golf scores
Hiring Trottier a gutsy move
Lidstrom, Hedican win ironman awards
Red Wings 3, Hurricanes 2, 3 OT
Ferrero, Costa meet in all-Spanish final
Serena 'one-hit wonder' no more
At home on the high seas
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Enquirer Page Two power rankings

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