The Cincinnati Enquirer

The e-mailers have solutions for the Jose Guillen situation, as well as other advice for the Reds. Read on:

Q, from Frank in Akron: I feel sorry for Jose Guillen. I haven't seen a hard-luck fourth outfielder since Brian Giles played for the Cleveland Indians. Now with Russell Branyan being ready sometime next month, you'll have a possible fifth outfielder on the roster. The best bet now is to shop Jose around while his value is still high and pick up a couple of pitchers. It's a shame too, because he has the potential to be another 35-plus home run hitter, with 100 runs and RBI on an outfield that can use him 150 games a year.

A: Guillen will stay ahead of Branyan on the depth chart. But if the Reds can get a good pitcher for him, they should by all means trade him. He's not happy as a backup. And you never can get too much pitching.

Q, from Mary in Maryland: Why does Bob Boone bat the major-league leader in home runs sixth? Also, does Austin Kearns really need days off? Last year Boone said a 22-year-old does not need a day off. Does one year make a difference?

A: Kearns was sick the day he was given off, and hurt the other day. The guy hitting in front of Adam Dunn - Aaron Boone - is hitting a lot of home runs also and hitting for a higher average. But putting Dunn fifth does rotate left-right batters from the second spot to the sixth.

Q, from Fred: If the Reds try to trade for pitching, whom could they offer in addition to Jose Guillen? . . . How is Corky Miller doing in the minors? Any chance Jason LaRue or Kelly Stinnett could be dealt? Have Scott Sullivan's disappointing numbers ruined his trade value?

A: First, I wouldn't trade Sullivan. He's one of the leaders of this team. Miller was hitting .256 at Louisville, going into the weekend. I think he'd make a good backup. But Kelly Stinnett's salary makes him hard to trade. Wily Mo Pena is another expendable player. Don't know what his trade value is. But I don't see him playing here any time in the next few years.

Q, from Tom: In light of the Jose Guillen situation, is there any underlying hostility brewing from Felipe Lopez regarding his spot on the starting roster? Also, upon a healthy return for Russell Branyan, would it be in the Reds' best interest to pull Juan Castro, who I feel is our second baseman of the future?

A: Lopez is a shortstop, so, no, I don't think it plays in the Guillen situation. The Lopez-Castro debate is moot while Barry Larkin is on the DL. But, yes, if Castro hits .250 to .260, you live with him in the lineup because of his defense.

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E-mail jfay@enquirer.com