A sure sign spring is approaching: Several e-mailers wanted to know when Opening Day tickets go on sale.

Read on:

Q, from Oliver: Does anybody know when Opening Day tickets will go on sale?

A: The Reds will announce when tickets go on sale in the next two weeks. The date probably will be later than in the past because season-ticket sales are going well.

Q, from Nick: It was stated by Bob Boone that "the best players will (start)." Is it safe to say the best players are playing, and the Reds don't have better talent trapped in the farm leagues? Could it be possible that they actually do have better talent in Triple-A and they're just not making it to Cincy because their spots are filled with the likes of Ken Griffey Jr. and Aaron Boone?

By the way, I seem to remember an outstanding young ballplayer by the name of Pokey Reese who was traded to the Pirates. What I don't remember is what the Reds got in return for him? He is the guy that Bowden wouldn't let go of to Seattle for Griffey, right? Once he had them both, where is Reese now?A: Better players than Griffey and Boone in the minors? Boone hit 26 homers and drove in 87 runs in the majors last year. Griffey was on the All-Century Team. Raul Gonzalez, the center fielder at Louisville most of last year, is a nice player, but he wouldn't make the All-Last-Five-Minutes Team.

The Reds essentially got Luke Hudson from Colorado for Reese. Colorado traded Reese to Boston. Boston released him. He signed with Pittsburgh as a free agent for roughly $15 million less the Reds offered him.

Q, from Lawrence in Rochester, N.Y.: I am wondering if anyone publishes a list of most/least cost per win for major-league pitchers. My thought was that Jimmy Haynes would be near the top in terms of low cost per win.

A: I don't know of anyone who keeps track of that specific stat. But my guess is there was no better bargain than Haynes. He made $500,000 and won 15 games. That's $33,333 per win. The Cy Young winner, Randy Johnson, made $13.35 million and won 24. That's $556,250 per win. The worst? Kevin Brown made $15.7 million and won three games. He would have had to win 471 games to earn as little per win as Haynes.

Q, from Keith in Fairfield: I realize that MLB is far different than roto leagues many of us play in. But one truth from both is to spread out your payroll among the entire roster as evenly as possible so as to ensure the best possible talent. With two players (Barry Larkin and Griffey) receiving the bulk of the budget, do you see the Reds being competitive before Larkin's and Junior's contracts expire?

A: Competitive? Yes. I think they can be competitive this year. Whether they are or not depends on staying healthy and getting lucky. (They need some young pitchers to surprise everyone). Larkin's $9 million comes off the books after this year, and Griffey's $9 million (a third of which is for deferred payments) isn't too much of a burden for a $60 million payroll.

Q, from John at Fort Hood: Any new insights on the Pete Rose/Hall of Fame story? Is the Commish balking, or what's the deal? So sick of Bob Feller and Robin Roberts - old men who mean so little to the game today. Just childish and bitter, like Fay Vincent and John Dowd. If only Pete would come forward and confess.

A: That the meeting with the living Hall of Famers was pushed back until February implies nothing is going to happen until at least then. I'd be surprised if it's resolved by Opening Day.

Q, from Jim in Louisville: What do you think about the following move for the Reds in 2003? Move Larkin to second and Boone to short, and insert Brandon Larson at third.

A: I think the Reds would like Felipe Lopez to win second base or shortstop, because it would improve the team defensively.

E-mail jfay@enquirer.com