By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Reds pitcher John Riedling has his arm strength tested by physical therapist Lori Berick Thursday while fellow pitcher Seth Etherton watches. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Reds' big free-agent acquisition, right-hander Paul Wilson, doesn't seem like a big deal. But, to manager Bob Boone, it is.

"Huge," Boone said. "You try to eliminate as many 'ifs' as possible. The difference between looking for one starter instead of two is gigantic."

The Reds have penciled Wilson in as a starter, along with Jimmy Haynes, Danny Graves and Ryan Dempster.

Wilson was at Ed Smith Complex on Thursday, getting in some work on the day pitchers and catchers reported. They receive physicals today, and their first workout is 9 a.m. Saturday.

The Reds, and many others, saw something beyond Wilson's numbers last year. Wilson was 6-12 with a 4.83 ERA for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

"We were lucky to get him," Boone said. "A lot of clubs were interested. They were ticked when we signed him. I heard that from a lot of baseball people I know."

The Reds were able to sign Wilson by back-loading much of his salary. He will make $500,000 this year and $3.5 million in 2004.

Beyond the money, Wilson found the Reds a good fit.

"They've got a great young ballclub," Wilson said. "From the short time I've been here, I've met a lot of good guys. They're also going into a brand-new ballpark. That's something I've never experienced."

And, of course, there's the Gullett Factor. Pitchers looking to turn things around often jump at the chance to work with Reds pitching coach Don Gullett.

Reds pitchers Bruce Chen, left, and Chris Reitsma talk about pitches after throwing at training camp Thursday. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

"That's a big reason," Wilson said. "I've heard he's one of the best in the business. I really look forward to working with him."

Wilson, 30, was on his way to stardom before injuries derailed him.

The New York Mets made Wilson the first pick overall in the 1994 draft after his All-American career at Florida State, which included a victory in the national title game.

A year later, Wilson combined to go 11-6 with a 2.41 ERA at Double- and Triple-A. In 1996, he made the Mets' rotation out of spring training and went 5-12 with a 5.38 ERA.

That's when Wilson's shoulder problems first surfaced. He spent five weeks on the disabled list and had shoulder surgery after the 1996 season. He was limited to five rehab starts in 1997, and continued to struggle with the shoulder in 1998.

In 1999, Wilson underwent "Tommy John" surgery on his elbow.

In 2000, the Mets traded him to Tampa Bay. Wilson regained his health with the Devil Rays, going 15-25 with a 4.35 ERA in three years.

The Reds were impressed that he pitched 193 2/3 innings last year.

"After all the injuries, he's proven very durable," Boone said. "He has command all over the strike zone. He has decent stuff. And he has a very high ceiling."

"High ceiling" is baseball speak for lots of potential.

After what Wilson has been through with injuries, he doesn't worry about putting up numbers.

"I just want to do what I can to help the team win," he said. "If you make all your starts, the numbers will take care of themselves."

Wilson said he's 100 percent healthy, but it stands to reason that he'll get stronger the longer he gets away from surgery.

Wilson did fade late last season. He was 6-8 with a 3.80 ERA before going 0-4 with an 11.57 ERA in his last six starts.

E-mail jfay@enquirer.com