From Alex in Cincinnati: I am disgusted with the Reds. What in the world are they trying to do? Trade Ken Griffey Junior for Phil who? I am completely and utterly disgusted. I am angry; I am disappointed. If the Reds were to do such a deal, I swear on my life I won't even turn a single game on TV, let alone spend my money to go down to the riverfront and watch them.

Response: Alex pointed out in his e-mail that he's 17. Way to build the young fan base, Reds.

Q, from Timothy: Wow! Now I've possibly heard everything. This fiasco is getting as bad as the other sports team in Cincinnati. Hey, baseball geniuses, try getting a front-line quality pitcher for Griffey instead of wasting the trade on a useless third baseman that would be a 100 percent economic deal that would not help the club. Quality pitching wins, period. If you do not build your team around the pitching staff, you're certain to lose any shot at a championship.

Of those arbitration-eligible Reds you mentioned by name who you feel should get huge raises, I highly disagree with each of them.

A: I'm sure the Reds would rather get pitching for Griffey, but his trade value is down because of the injuries. As for the arbitration-eligible players, they will get huge raises. The Reds know that, which is why they project it will take $65 million just to bring the 2002 team back this season.

Q, from Howard: Is there a team in baseball that is more lost than the Reds? They haven't a clue on how to go about building a team: $9 million a year for a shortstop well past his prime, $12 million a year for a center fielder who gave every indication in Seattle that he was past his prime and a bad influence in the clubhouse, and then $7 million for a first baseman who lacks run-producing power but happens to be a great guy. Now we read that the promised improvement that was to come with the new stadium is not going to come at all. Demotions, firings and resignations in the front office in the last two months are just another indication of how serious the problems are within the organization. To think, I thought Marge Schott was bad for the organization.

A: The minor leagues are producing (see Adam Dunn and Austin Kearns). As for Griffey, Barry Larkin and Sean Casey contracts, none of those would be a problem if the Reds' overall payroll were at the level of the St. Louis Cardinals'. Griffey past his prime in Seattle? Come on. He hit 48 home runs, drove in 134 runs, stole 24 bases and won a Gold Glove his last year there. But your point about a plan is a good one. We were always told they were building for 2003. Now that 2003 is three weeks away, most of the players they were building with are gone.

From Mike: I've had it with Carl Lindner and his cheap ways. You can say whatever you want to about taking a hard stance at not losing money and breaking even. But he made a profit when he got a new stadium from the taxpayers. The people paid for that stadium with the promise of a competitive team, through signing the young prospects and getting some key free agents. They aren't even building smart. I'm calling for a boycott of the Reds.

A: The Reds have to be watching what has happened to the Bengals. Fans have stopped showing up. That's much more devastating to a baseball team than an NFL team. This town loves winners and ignores losers. To wit: UC basketball before Bob Huggins arrived.

E-mail jfay@enquirer.com

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