The attention of the e-mailers has turned to baseball and away from payroll. That's a good thing. Read on:
Q, from Floyd: Adam Dunn struggled big time the second half of last season. I have never seen a report concerning the problem. He has excellent knowledge of the strike zone, so I assume pitchers found a weakness in his swing. Have you heard what the Reds or other scouts think was the problem?
A: That's a tough one. Dunn said repeatedly while the slump continued that if he knew what was wrong, he'd fix it. One problem was he became too choosy at the plate. The Reds tried to get him to be more aggressive, particularly early in the count. Pitchers also figured out what worked against him. Another factor was the Reds' lack of offense as a team. If Ken Griffey Jr., Sean Casey and Austin Kearns are healthy this season, Dunn will see more good pitches.
Q, from Brandon: I just read in ESPN the Magazine that the Reds signed Toe Nash. The story says this guy is a baseball natural. Do you have any information on him?
A: The Reds did sign Nash, a Bayou legend. He's a long shot to make the big leagues. If not for his past, his signing wouldn't have gained any attention. Nash, 20, hasn't played in nearly two years. The last time he did play he hit .240 in Single-A. He spent nine months of that time in jail after admitting to having consensual sex with a 15-year-old girl.
Nash, who is 6 feet 6 with great natural talent, originally was signed by Tampa Bay, which released him after he got out of jail. The last time he played, he hit .240 in Single-A.
Q, from Ron in Florence: There have been conversations about moving Barry Larkin to another position. Why move him at this stage of his career? I would rather see Larkin stay at shortstop and allow Ranier Olmedo to ease into that position. I think Olmedo would receive plenty of playing time due to Larkin's age and health issues. I believe Olmedo, not Felipe Lopez, is the shortstop of the future. What do you think?
A: I really like Olmedo, also. He's a treat to watch in the field and seems to do something special whenever he plays with the big-league club in spring training. But few, if any, in the Reds organization believe he can be the kind of offensive player Lopez will be. That said, Lopez could end up playing second and Olmedo shortstop somewhere down the road.
From John in Mount Healthy: I am a loyal Reds fan for life, but I do not understand this city's fascination with Aaron Boone! He either hits a home run or strikes out, usually the latter. The only time he hits a home run is when no one is on base. ... Dmitri Young was way better at third than Boone. We traded the wrong guy, but Young wasn't the manager's son.
A: Nepotism wasn't behind that trade. Young turned down big bucks from the Reds and made it clear he was going to walk after 2002. Young was an adequate third baseman; Boone is a good one. Boone does strike out too much (111 times last season), and his on-base percentage (.314) could be better. But he was third among National League third basemen with 87 RBI. As for the home runs, 14 of Boone's 26 homers were solo, nine were two-run shots, and three were three-run shots. Dunn, who tied him for the team lead, hit 14 solo, nine two-run homers, two three-run homers and one grand slam.
Q, from Chris in Edgewood, Ky.: The Reds need to trade a couple of prospects to Florida for second baseman Luis Castillo. He is a leadoff batter and has speed. This would solve the Reds leadoff and speed problems.
A: My trusty USA Today salary page says Castillo made $3.325 million last season and is eligible for arbitration. So if the Marlins were willing to part with him, the Reds probably couldn't afford him unless they can move salary elsewhere.
E-mail jfay@enquirer.com
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