By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Dave Miley spent two months as the Reds interim manager, then spent a month as the leading candidate for the permanent job.

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So Miley had a lot of time to think about what he would do if and when he got the job as the manager of the 2004 Reds.

But Friday, the day after finally getting the job, Miley wasn't ready to commit to roles for Opening Day.

"That would be a little premature," he said. "We have to see how things shape up. A lot of things will affect that."

Miley spent most of Friday meeting with general manager Dan O'Brien.

"We visited on a lot topics," O'Brien said. "The coaching staff. How spring training will be run. We talked about who some of the support staff would be. We went over a wide range of things."

The pressing topic is the coaching staff. Pitching coach Don Gullett is under contract and will be back. Bullpen coach Tom Hume also will be back.

O'Brien said Miley will be given leeway with the rest of his staff.

First base coach Jose Cardenal has chosen not to return.

Miley would like to have Mark Berry back. Berry served as Miley's bench coach once Miley took over on July 28 for the fired Bob Boone. He and Gullett were Miley's closest advisors. Berry will likely return, but his role could change.

Freddie Benavides, who was added to the staff once Miley took over, also could return. Given the number of young Latin infielders on the club, Benavides, an infield instructor who speaks Spanish, is a good fit. Hitting coach/third base coach Ray Knight probably will not be back.

Former Reds Ken Griffey Sr. and Eric Davis could be candidates to replace Knight as hitting coach.

"There haven't been any decisions," Miley said. "But we've had a lot of discussions."

The big question as far as the every day lineup is the infield. Barring trades, the outfield will be: Austin Kearns in right, Ken Griffey Jr. in center and Adam Dunn in left. Sean Casey will be at first and Jason LaRue will be the catcher.

Second, shortstop and third base have yet to be determined.

Barry Larkin is back for one last year at shortstop. But he's averaged less than 100 games in the last four years.

"Barry's still the guy," Miley said. "We all know what he can do if he's healthy. In the time I took over, before he got hurt, he was one of our best hitters."

D'Angelo Jimenez will play second, if he's not moved to third. Miley talked about moving him to third last year, but he isn't ready to commit.

"It's kind of early for that," he said. "But I like to have guys who can play different positions. The more guys who are able to do it, the better off you are."

The Reds also have Brandon Larson and Russell Branyan back at third; neither claimed the job last season.

Depending on what happens with Jimenez, Juan Castro, Ray Olmedo and Ryan Freel could compete at second base. Castro and Olmedo will get plenty of time backing up Larkin at short as well.

One of the keys for the Reds is improving the worst defense in the majors last year.

Miley said he's inclined to leave Chris Reitsma and Ryan Wagner in the bullpen to setup Danny Graves.

"Those are two valuable guys," Miley said. "When they took Graves out of the starting rotation, it was to get him back to closing. Reitsma did a hell of a job in that role. He's capable of closing if we need him."

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E-mail jfay@enquirer.com