By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

SARASOTA, Fla. - Ken Griffey Jr.'s name is still getting churned through the rumor mill on a regular basis, but Reds general manager Dan O'Brien says the rumors are just that.

"His name has not come up in any talks this spring," O'Brien said.

That's not just with Seattle, the most prevalent rumor, but with any club. O'Brien also said he has not been mandated by management to trade Griffey or anyone else in order to trim payroll.

That is not to say Griffey will not be traded.

College basketball commentator Dick Vitale holds one of twin grandsons, Jake Krugh, as he visits with Red Sox centerfielder Johnny Damon before the game with the Reds Tuesday. (AP photo)

"I've been very forthright with other clubs," O'Brien said. "I've told them two things: One, we won 69 games last year, so we have to be open-minded about any player on our roster; and two, just because we're open-minded, it doesn't mean we are motivated to trade anyone."

The Reds owe Griffey $66.5 million over the rest of his contract, which runs through 2008 with a club option in 2009.

With that kind of investment, it's unlikely that any team would risk taking Griffey until he shows he can be productive and healthy again. Griffey has played 111, 70 and 53 games over the last three years.

If Griffey plays well enough to raise his trade value, the Reds may be motivated to move him because this is a big year as far as his status.

If Griffey finishes the year with the Reds, he regains his five-10 status. Ten-year veterans who have spent five years with the same club can reject a trade.

BOWDEN SURFACES: Former Reds GM Jim Bowden is scheduled to be in Tampa tonight for the Reds-New York Yankees game as a correspondent for ESPN2's Cold Pizza.

Bowden reportedly wants to interview Griffey. That won't happen.

"I wouldn't talk to ESPN if my mother worked there," Griffey said. "Well, maybe I would for her."

Cold Pizza spokesman Mack Nwulu said Bowden is working as a contributor for the show.

"He's going to do baseball stories for us on a regular basis," Nwulu said.

One of Cold Pizza's other baseball contributors is Jon Warden, the former Detroit Tiger pitcher who coached baseball at Indian Hill High School.

STARTING OUTFIELD: Austin Kearns, Adam Dunn and Griffey will start together for the first time this spring tonight in Tampa.

Kearns has not played in the field because he's been rehabbing his arm after surgery.

"He's still on his long-toss program," trainer Mark Mann said. "But he's cleared to play with the understanding that we don't want him to try to throw anyone out at home or third, but he can hit the cut-off man."

Griffey was not a scratch from Tuesday's lineup.

"After all this rain, there's no use in sending him out there," manager Dave Miley said.

It rained all day in Sarasota, forcing the Reds to take batting practice in the cages.

UNION MEETING: The Reds had their annual meeting with representatives from the Major League Players Association before Tuesday's game with the Red Sox. Union chief Don Fehr led the meeting.

---

E-mail jfay@enquirer.com