E-mailers want changes, as always.

Q, from Drew in Norwood: With Adam Dunn's suspension, will he be allowed to take some BP with his hitting coach?

I know he's tied for the National League home run lead, but this guy is swinging for the fences every time up. That's why he's striking out so much. He needs to get back to just trying to make contact.

The home runs will come. Do you agree with the argument that he needs to be sent down to the minors to work out his problems? I like the guy, but I think Jose Guillen is a much better everyday player now.

A: Yes, Dunn will be allowed to take batting practice. I don't think he's swinging any harder than he ever has. One thing Dunn has had to deal with is too many hitting coaches. In the last 2 1/2 years, he has had five - one at Chattanooga, one at Louisville, then three different ones with the Reds, plus input from various others. As for him going to the minors, that's not going to happen.

Q, from Mike in College Hill: Since it is getting close to the start of the trading season, I wanted to plant an idea in Jim Bowden's head.

Although it seemed like a fantastic idea to acquire Ken Griffey Jr. to drum up excitement for the Reds' new stadium, and he is almost certainly a first-ballot Hall of Famer, maybe it is best to let him have a change of scenery to revive a once-glorious career.

The benefits would be a win-win for both Griffey and the Reds - he could go to a team and get a fresh start, and the Reds could remove a large payroll problem to go after pitching and sign Austin Kearns, Aaron Boone and Dunn to long-term contracts. How does a trade of Griffey, Wily Mo Pena and a couple of other prospects for Brian Giles and Kris Benson sound?

A: I'm not in the Trade Griffey camp. If I were, I would want more of a sure bet than Benson (Bartolo Colon perhaps), and I wouldn't consider Giles. He makes $8.3 million, so the salary affect would be minimal.

Q, from Greg in Mason: Do you think Dempster can put it all together? Tuesday against the Cubs, he pitched good, but not great. A lot of the Cubs batters helped him out by swinging at strikes out of the strike zone. Perhaps he might realize that he can't throw the ball right down the pipe. Who else do the Reds have who could be a big strikeout pitcher? Of the current starting staff, whom would you classify as our stopper?

A: That the Cubs were swinging at pitches out of the zone is a great sign. That indicates movement. Dempster is clearly the key to this staff. He throws 94 mph, has great stamina and proved in Florida he was a winner.

Q, from Tim in Sharonville: When will Barry Larkin realize he's not part of management? (This is in reference to Larkin's remarks that he thought Felipe Lopez was still the shortstop of the future.) He really shouldn't have any say in who his replacement will be.

As you noted, if Rainer Olmedo continues to outperform Lopez, it probably won't be Lopez taking the reins.

Larkin always has considered himself an assistant GM, criticizing trades and player moves, selecting his spot in the batting order, meeting with Bowden when he's not happy with the team's direction (not to mention whatever role he had in getting Jack McKeon fired).

A: I think Larkin's comment on Lopez was innocent. He was asked for his opinion, and he was just giving it.

I don't think he will have any say in who replaces him.

And, right now, Olmedo is a better bet to be the guy than Lopez.

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