The e-mailers remain concerned about the Reds budget. Read on:

Q, from David: According to a New York Daily News story the Reds owner has said payroll will remain the same with a small increase possible, so now Jim Bowden will have to start trading players like Sean Casey and Aaron Boone. My question is with increase in revenue sharing why don't the Reds use it for what it was designed for and put it back into the team so they can attempt to field a competitive team? And please stop referring to Carl Lindner as being fiscally responsible and call him what he is - a cheapskate. Who buys a sports tem to make money anyway?

A: The Reds have been breaking the news gently that the increase won't be as big as expected. But chief operating officer John Allen said point blank that there will be an increase. If the increase isn't enough to keep the Reds from trading players like Boone and Casey, Lindner is going to be roughly as popular among Cincinnati sports fans as Mike Brown.

As for revenue sharing, as Allen keeps saying, the Reds will get less next year because of the increased revenue from Great American Ball Park. Call Lindner what you want, but he doesn't own the Reds to make money. He wants to break even. That doesn't exactly endear him to fans who want wins and pennants.

Q, from Paul in Gainesville, Fla.: In your response to an e-mail, you stated: "No one is certain what the Reds' payroll number will be. But the guess here is it will be no more than $60 million. That makes it tough to compete with the St. Louises of the world." If that is the case, should we as Reds fans resign ourselves to perpetual second- or third-place hopes and aspirations? Is Lindner telling us that we have no reason to think about another World Series in the future? I am not a proponent of "throw enough money at it and fix it" management, ala Big George. But if the Reds cannot compete against their own division foes due to overly constrictive budget restraints, Lindner will soon find a new stadium half empty (as you pointed out). How is not putting a saleable product on the field being fiscally responsible when it will eventually lead to poor sales?

A: Good point. But there's hope. The Angels are in the World Series with a payroll of $61 million. The A's had the best record in the American League with a $40 million payroll. So it can be done. Developing young talent is the key. If Adam Dunn and Austin Kearns are what the Reds think they are, the Reds should be able to compete with the Cardinals with a $60 million payroll.

Q, from Craig: I felt Carlos Almanzar showed a lot of potential this year until his hand was broken. Do you think he will be on the roster this year, and if so, can he be a dominant relief pitcher?

A: It's probably 70-30 against him making it. But he throws 95 mph. Chances of a guy who throws 95 being dominant are a lot better than someone who throws 88. But he's been around a long time, and it hasn't happened yet.

Q, from Scott in Norwood: Why don't the Reds retire Pete Rose Jr.'s number? I'm sure that when he got his first hit, he became part of history as one of the greatest father/son hitting combos ever.

A: I'm sure Pete Jr. wouldn't go for that. Think of guys like Dave Concepcion who don't have their numbers retired. The point on messing with Major League Baseball on the Rose issue is well taken. In fact, I wrote a whole column on it.

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