Limited budget costs acquiring Rolen, Colon The money issue, or Carl Lindner's reluctance to add to the payroll, was at the top of the e-mailers' list:

        Q, from Jeff in Muncie, Ind.: It is a shame as a fan to see that for somewhere near $3.8 million, Reds fans would have been able to see Bartolo Colon and Scott Rolen playing in Cincinnati. I do understand Mr. Carl Lindner's wanting to at least break even with his investment, but an opportunity to advance to the playoffs isn't something that can be taken for granted. It would have been a nice way to open Great American Ball Park by hanging a World Series Champion banner.

        A: Lindner, through John Allen, has been up-front about not adding payroll since Day1. What surprises me is Reds general manager Jim Bowden has talked continually about the deals the Reds could have made if they had the money. To me, that makes Bowden look good and Lindner look bad. If Bowden had stuck to his no-comment-on-trades policy, no one would know for certain the Reds missed out on Rolen and Colon.

        Q, from A.J. in Ponchatoula, La.: I think we are at least two years from competing for a championship. This is not a veteran ball club. They are inconsistent and have not adjusted to pressure situations. I think it has caused the team to hit about .230 with runners in scoring position. I also believe the constant lineup changes have hurt the young team. The only thing we can count on is Aaron Boone in the lineup. We also need a leadoff man that can get on base and steal a few bases. Another problem is at the catcher's position. Jason LaRue is not championship caliber no matter how many base stealers he throws out, and he refuses to block pitches in the dirt. There is a lack of stability in the pitching staff with 12 starters already this year. I have to agree with Rafael Palmeiro: The Reds don't have it this year.

        A: Two years from competing for what? A world championship? This team might not even be able to do that in two years. But the calendar says August, and the Reds are in the thick of the NL Central and

        wild-card races.

        For a small-market club with a $45million budget, that's competing pretty well.

        Q, from Al in Ada, Ohio: I appreciate what Barry Larkin has done for the Reds in the past, but he's not worth $9 million. If those funds could be spent elsewhere in 2003, the Reds could be true contenders. Can the Reds get out from under his contract by releasing him? Teams do it in football all the time. I know he's a local hero, but Larkin is vastly overpaid for a brittle old shortstop hitting .250 with little power. Put Boone at shortstop, maybe renegotiate Larkin down to a decent back-up's salary.

        A: In baseball, contracts are guaranteed.

        If the Reds released Larkin, they'd still have to pay him.

        Q, from Greg in Liberty Township: Can you remember any other Reds manager who criticized his players in the media as often as Bob Boone does? Reds losses are never the fault of Boonie or his coaching staff (constant lineup changes, overworking the bullpen, etc.). It's always because one of his players messed up, and he always seems too happy to share their faults in the press.

        A: I don't think Boone is overly hard on players, although he has had some harsh things to say about LaRue lately. But LaRue screwed up badly before Boone fired on him.

        In general, Boone has been patient with the players who have made mistakes.

Reds 4, Padres 3 Reds box, runs Reds Q&A Staff ace, Dessens, could be destined for DL Braves 6, Cardinals 1 Five Questions with Bill Aker Louisville 8, Charlotte 7

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