E-mailers want pitching and a trade of Wily Mo Pena - and they also have the usual Bob Boone complaints.

Read on:

Question, from Ben in Huntington, W. Va.: Couldn't Scott Williamson be used as trade bait for a starter? Then the Reds could move someone else, a la Danny Graves, to the closer role. The Reds seem to have one of the most powerful lineups in the league outside of Atlanta, but pitching is killing them. I say besides Ken Griffey, Adam Dunn, Aaron Boone and Barry Larkin, they should trade whomever they have to so they can get some pitching! Are there any rumors of a possible deal?

Answer: Williamson certainly is not untouchable. The Reds have tried to trade him in the past, but I haven't heard of the anything brewing now. The Reds think Chris Reitsma could develop into a closer, so if the right starter is offered, Williamson could go.

Q, from Robert in Sarasota, Fla.: I was wondering if you could tell me what Ryan Freel's status is. Is he still on the disabled list and if so, when will he be back? It appears Rainer Olmedo is doing fairly well and is alternating with Juan Castro at second base, but Freel seemed to have planted his feet with the organization. Will he have a chance to stay up when and if he comes back? I miss seeing him play; his scrappy routine is fun to watch because he keeps you wondering what he's going to do next.

A: Freel is continuing rehabilitation. It's been four weeks since he tore his left hamstring, and the conservative estimate on his recovery was four to six weeks. For a player like Freel, whose game is based on speed, it could be longer. He certainly will get a look - the Reds liked what he did in the leadoff spot. His problem is Olmedo and Castro are much better defensively.

Q, from Bob in Greensboro, N.C.: Will the Reds continue to sacrifice a spot on the roster for Pena? Do they remain that high on him? What about a trade of Pena, Reggie Taylor and minor leaguer Edwin Encarnacion for a legitimate starting pitcher? The outfield seems set for years to come and will not allow Pena to develop, but if the Reds are that high on him, other clubs must feel the same way.

A: I don't think Pena, Taylor and Encarnacion would get a "legitimate starting pitcher," but I think the Reds would part with Pena for the right offer. I am shocked Pena is still with the big-league club. His skills have suffered because he hasn't played.

Q, from Dan in Santa Barbara, Calif.: How long is management going to allow Boone to continue to make bad decisions? He allowed Jimmy Haynes to bat in the seventh inning recently when he had players like Dunn available to hit, then pulled him in the bottom of the inning. Why bring in Kent Mercker in such a tight position when he's having problems?

A: You're referring to Tuesday's game in St. Louis. Boone is darned if he does and darned if he doesn't when it comes to pulling pitchers. Had he not let Haynes hit, he would have been ripped for pulling him too early. Mercker, by the way, struck out J.D. Drew on three pitches in that game.

Q, from Howard in Vienna, Va.: Is it really acceptable in today's game to throw in the towel in the second inning with your team down by five runs? How in the world can Jimmy Anderson be kept in the game while giving up seven runs in the second inning? If the bullpen had been given a chance in the third to hold the Cardinals in check, the Reds might have won the game. The Reds started their current road trip 1-5 and each of those five losses could have been a win with better managing and execution.

A: Boone's explanation was that he didn't want to burn out the bullpen. The relievers had thrown 11 innings the two previous nights.