The e-mailers want to know who will be the lefties in the bullpen and other baseball matters.

Q, from Greg in Montgomery; I was wondering if you thought the Reds would take more left-handed pitchers this year, for example Kent Mercker, due to the fact the dimensions of the new field favor left-handed hitters. It seems to make sense to try to add more lefties to the bullpen.Who do you think, besides Gabe White, has the best chance of making the club as a lefty?

A: My guess is Mercker will make it. Felix Heredia also is a good bet. The Reds want lefties - not so much because of Great American Ball Park - but because left-handers are much more effective against St. Louis, the National League Central favorite.

Q, from Jay in Beavercreek, Ohio: How many times will Scott Williamson throw a pitch that gets by Jason LaRue in the ninth inning costing the Reds a game before the LaRue-Williamson combo is abandoned?

A: LaRue should follow the lead of Corky Miller and not call a split-finger fastball with a runner on third. Williamson's split-finger is so nasty it can be uncatchable.

Q, from Tim in Newburg, Ind.: Nice article (on Latin players using false birth certificates), but why did you stop short of calling this what it is - fraud? I'm not picking on you. No sportswriter has called it that to my knowledge. I'm just wondering why. Do the Reds have legal recourse? Simply put, they did not get what they paid for, due to lies and misrepresentations, and that is fraud. I'd also be interested in learning how this is to be prevented in the future by MLB.

A: You're right: It is fraud. I just tried to explain why it happens. MLB has stepped in to try to clean up the situation. I don't think the Reds or any other team wants to get punitive for fear they would alienate other players and dry up a key talent pipeline.

Q, from Pat in Newport: I would love to see the Reds switch their road uniforms to something similar to their spring training uniforms. I love the look of the red shirt. They give a great splash of color, which the drab gray uniforms they currently use don't. Think we can drum up some support for this so we have something with some color?

A: I like the road uniforms. But drum away.

Q, from Greg in Indianapolis: (Outrighting Bruce Chen) completely floors me. The Reds say they are stockpiling pitchers. Then why not designate Juan Castro, Kelly Stinnett or Jose Guillen? Or if they had to cut a pitcher, why not any of the Rule 5 picks before cutting Chen? Chen has more upside than any of the previously named and had proven success with the Reds last year.

A: Chen wasn't in the Reds' plans. And no other team wanted him at $700,000 either, or it would have claimed him off waivers. Castro and Stinnett have guaranteed contracts. Guillen doesn't, but the Reds like him as an extra player, although he is not a lock to make the team.

E-mail jfay@enquirer.com

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