By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

PHOTO GALLERY

Photos of Sunday's game

NEW YORK - The New York Post reported Sunday that the New York Yankees proposed a trade to the Reds that would have shipped Ken Griffey Jr. to New York just before Griffey's season-ending ankle injury.

The report said the Reds nixed the deal.

The Yankees, the report said, offered pitchers Sterling Hitchcock and Jeff Weaver, and outfielder Raul Mondesi for pitchers Gabe White and Scott Williamson and Griffey.

The report said the Reds would have had to pay the Yankees $30 million. Because Mondesi and Hitchcock are in the last year of their contracts, the Reds would have saved money long term. Griffey's contract runs through 2008, with an option for 2009.

Reds general manager Jim Bowden did not return calls Saturday or Sunday.

A Reds insider said Sunday the Reds have recently worked out deals, but ownership would not approve them.

"The (contract) situation with Jim has to be resolved," a Reds source said.

Bowden is in the final year of his contract.

Bowden would not be able to complete a trade like the one the Post reported without approval from chief executive officer Carl Lindner.

The offer

According to the New York Post's Joel Sherman, the Yankees proposed a trade for Ken Griffey Jr., before the outfielder was lost for the season July 17. A look at the deal:

Yankees would have given up:

• LHP Sterling Hitchcock

• RF Raul Mondesi

• RHP Jeff Weaver

Reds would have given up:

• CF Griffey

• LHP Gabe White

• RHP Scott Williamson

• $30 million