From Don: This is not a question, but a comment. With Jose Guillen playing and batting the way he has been, how can Bob Boone set him down and play Ken Griffey Jr.? I think I can say Guillen has played better over the time Griffey was out than Griffey would have if he had been healthy. I think Boone stinks as a manager.

Answer: Think want you want about Boone, but he and every manager would play Griffey over Guillen. Guillen has been released by four teams. He has had a good three-week run. Griffey has had a good 14-year run.

Q, from Chris in Fort Thomas: With Griffey coming back, how would Jose Guillen do in the infield? What about moving him to second, or moving Aaron Boone back to second, where he was doing just fine, and trying Guillen at third, where he could show that great throwing arm. He's certainly deserving of a slot in the starting lineup. If not Guillen, how about trying Austin Kearns at third?

A: None of the above, if I'm in charge. The Reds' turnaround happened when Boone was moved back to third. Boone at third and any combination of Juan Castro, Barry Larkin and Felipe Lopez at short and second gives the Reds solid infield defense - a key with a staff dominated by sinker-ball pitchers.

Q, Frank in Sarasota, Fla.: I've been reading the articles about Guillen wanting to be traded, Wily Mo Pena and Ruben Mateo being put on the trading block, Lopez needing to go back to Triple-A and Brandon Larson being ready to come back up. My question is, where does Ryan Freel fit in?

A: Freel's stats in Louisville have been impressive. Freel's best chance to be recalled is if the Reds go with 11 pitchers. Russell Branyan probably will take Pena's spot. But the Reds won't go with 11 pitchers until the rotation starts putting up innings.

Q, Greg in Indianapolis: Why do players like Austin Kearns and Adam Dunn need a day off? And now that Griffey is back, why does Kearns get a day off when Griffey is out of the lineup, especially against the Cardinals? Wouldn't it make sense to start your best lineup, and if Griffey cannot go, keep all your other regulars in the lineup? I think Boone gave away Thursday's game.

A: Kearns was a little sick, so Boone didn't want him to play him in a day game after a night game.

Q, from Jeff: Do you feel that there is any chance that when

Branyan comes back to the Reds, they would cut a pitcher to keep Wily Mo around any longer? I remember days when teams would carry nine or 10 pitchers.

A: It's not out of the realm of possibility, because the Reds think that highly of Pena. But I think they should make a move with him. He's simply not going to develop playing as little as he is at 21.

Q, from Robert in Columbus: Do you feel the Reds' recent success has anything to do with Ray Knight's absence from the clubhouse?

A: No. Knight wasn't a very good manager, but he's a good coach. The only argument you could make is he was so sick that he couldn't contribute much. But even if that's the case, I'd put it way down on the list.

E-mail jfay@enquirer.com