By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

SARASOTA, Fla. - When the Reds go to Tampa to open the exhibition season Thursday, the New York Yankees will match pitchers Sterling Hitchcock, Jose Contreras and Jeff Weaver against them.

Hitchcock, Contreras and Weaver are competing for the fifth spot in the Yankees' rotation. The two who don't make it may be on the trading block.

The Reds reportedly have been interested in Hitchcock, but general manager Jim Bowden shot down that notion.

"Can't afford him. Makes too much money," Bowden said. "Contreras, Weaver - can't afford them. They make too much money."

The Yankees reportedly are willing to pay part of Hitchcock's salary if he's traded. But for the Reds to be in the running, it would have to be a big part.

"If they pay all of it, we'd be interested," Bowden said.

Hitchcock, a 31-year-old left-hander, makes $6 million. He was troubled by a bad back last year and went 1-2 with a 5.49 ERA. Whether Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, whose player payroll is hovering at $150 million (give or take a couple million), would be willing to eat all of it isn't known.

What is known: The Reds can't take any of it.

"Our payroll has to stay the same or be reduced," Bowden said.

That also would eliminate Weaver and Contreras as potential Reds.

Weaver, a 26-year-old right-hander, made $2.3 million last year, when he was a combined 11-11 with a 3.52 ERA for the Detroit Tigers and the Yankees.

Contreras, a 31-year-old Cuban defector, signed a four-year, $32 million deal in December.

The Reds' payroll is expected to be in the $60 million range. The Reds have tried to trade Gabe White ($3.2 million) and Scott Sullivan ($2.8 million) to reduce it.

STENSON PICKED UP: The Reds signed Dernell Stenson Tuesday after he was released by the Boston Red Sox. He is expected to report today.

Stenson, 23, hit .250 with nine home runs and 36 RBI in 107 games with Triple-A Pawtucket last year. Stenson, a left-hander hitter, can play left field or first base.

PROKOPEC ON DL: The Reds placed Luke Prokopec on the 60-day disabled list.

Prokopec, a 25-year-old right-hander, was one of three selections by the Reds in the Rule 5 Draft. He is coming off shoulder surgery and won't be ready to pitch until at least June.