The revelation that the money the Reds got in their recent trades was going to be used to balance this year's books was not greeted kindly by the e-mailers.

Question, from Tom from Sayler Park: Before the new stadium was built, all we heard was, "Buy me a new stadium with luxury boxes and I will put a competitive team on the field." Well, where is the competitive team? Oh where, oh where is Marge?

Answer: The Reds' idea of a competitive team was one that could contend for the National League Central if everything went right and nobody got hurt. That, of course, didn't happen. The Reds' unwillingness to lose money short-term has gotten them in a long-term bind. As for bringing back Marge, if her reign of terror hadn't ruined the player development system, the Reds might be competitive right now. She cut off Latin American scouting, which is the equivalent of a college football program not recruiting in Florida.

From Judy in Mason: You'd think with the Reds having such poor fan relations at the present time, they might be a little flexible with ticket exchanges. But no. I called four days in advance to ask if I could exchange a ticket from last Sunday for another game. Because the game was changed from the 1:15 p.m. start printed on my ticket to 8:05 p.m., I was not able to attend. The answer was no.

A: Last Sunday's game time was changed for ESPN and the ticket, of course, has a disclaimer on it allowing for a switch. But given the PR storm the Reds were dealing with, they should have exchanged the ticket and sent a cab to pick you up for the game.

Q, from Ben: At the heart of all the firings and trades is the Reds' inability to groom homegrown pitching talent. Although he has little to do with the pitchers developing in the minors, have there been any questions in the front office about Don Gullett?

A: I think Gullett, who's on a multiyear contract, is still in good stead with the front office. I think a big part of the Reds' pitching problems is what Gullett has been given to work with. Name a starting pitcher who has left the Reds and been successful; Brett Tomko is in St. Louis' rotation, but his best season was with Reds.

Q, from Paul in Kinston, N.C.: Is there a light at the end of the tunnel, or are we in for a long rebuilding job?

A: The salary dump - I mean, restructuring - was a clear indication that the Reds are looking at things long-term. If Brandon Claussen, Aaron Harang and Joe Valentine are what the Reds think they are and they're ready next year, it could be a quick turnaround. But I don't see any experts picking the Reds higher than fourth in the NL Central.

Q, from George in Atlanta: What is the deal with Wily Mo Pena's contract for next year? Does he have to stay with the Reds, or can he go back to the minors?

A: Pena is out of options, meaning he can't be sent to the minors without going through waivers.

Q, from Justin in Cincinnati: The Reds brought up Stephen Smitherman from Double-A Chattanooga, kept him for one at-bat and sent him back down for Todd Van Poppel. What do you think of this prospect? Where does he fit in with the Reds' plans?

A: Smitherman leads the Southern League in hitting, but at 24, he's older than Adam Dunn and Austin Kearns and is way behind them on the depth chart. He is likely to be a September call-up.

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E-mail jfay@enquirer.com