E-mailers wanted to know about Chuck Finley, Kent Mercker and catching, and someone even defended Ken Griffey Jr.

Q, from Rodger from Western Hills: You think there's any chance the Reds will sign Chuck Finley? I like our offense - even with the Aaron Boone-to-second-base idea - top to bottom. Our bullpen is fine. But I remain baffled and distraught about our rotation. We have Danny Graves, Ryan Dempster and Jimmy Haynes. And then your choice of reclamation projects or rookies. Reds fans have to hope that three or four unproven starting pitchers play above their demonstrated talent. It's a lot to ask. A vet like Finley would at least give us one less serious question mark.

A: Finley would be a good addition, but if his price was too high for the Cardinals, it's doubtful the Reds can afford him. But all those free agents without deals may end up taking a lot less money. That said, Finley's version of less money probably still will be too much for the Reds.

Q: With the last couple of years Barry Larkin has had, it amazes me we need to ask his permission to change positions. Someone needs to remind him he has a captain's "C" on his shirt. If the organization wants to move him, why can't it happen?

A: Reds manager Bob Boone still talks about playing Larkin at second. But I agree with the decision to move Aaron Boone there for the long term. If Larkin went to second, it would have been for a year or two. Moving Boone now allows the Reds to start developing Larkin's replacement at short.

Q, from John in New Richmond: Bringing proven veteran Kent Mercker back into the organization at a rock-bottom price is a good move, but are the Reds thinking bullpen help or a piece of the starting rotation?

A: Signing Mercker and Felix Heredia was for bullpen help. It gives the Reds a potential left-handed specialist in the event Gabe White is traded. And believe me, the Reds would love to trade White. He had a terrific year last year - 6-1 with a 2.98 ERA - but his $3.25 million salary is a little rich for the Reds' payroll.

Q, from Bill: Any moves on the horizon for the Reds at catcher? Jason LaRue has a great arm and can hit for power occasionally, but he seems to have trouble with situational hitting, and the passed balls must drive Bob Boone nuts.

A: The Reds don't talk about whom they're trying to trade, but you have to think they'd be willing to part with LaRue or Kelly Stinnett. Dane Sardinha is the catcher of the future, and Corky Miller is a suitable backup.

Q, from John in Long Island, N.Y.: Did a recent writer to the Q&A actually imply that Ken Griffey Jr. is keeping center field away from a more talented player in the minors? When healthy, there isn't a more talented center fielder in the majors than Griffey. If Griffey had been playing every day for the past two seasons and had hit .240 with 25 homers per year, I could better understand the anti-Griffey sentiment. But the guy has been legitimately injured! He can't play if he's hurt. Three years ago, he hit 40 homers and drove in more than 100 runs in an off year. A healthy Griffey this season will be the majors' biggest bargain at $9 million.

A: A fan actually did send in that question. I couldn't make that up. It fractures me when someone says Griffey hasn't done anything as a Red. Only four Reds have hit more home runs in a season than he hit in 2000. The flip side of fans' fickleness is this: If Griffey returns to form this year, the last two years will be forgotten.

E-mail jfay@enquirer.com