Read on:

Q, from Scott in Wilmington, N.C.: The strategic planning for the Reds in the recent past was to increase revenues by getting a new stadium. Now the Reds have the new stadium, and have decreased payroll without explanation. Maybe revenues are lower than expected, or the funding of the Hall of Fame has a short-term impact on expenditures.

What is the latest strategy to increase revenues that will allow the Reds to become competitive? Don't forget that decreasing expenditures like trading long-term contracts such as Ken Griffey Jr.'s, Sean Casey's and Danny Graves' does not increase revenues.What payroll threshold do the Reds need to have to be competitive -- $70 to $80 million? What are the strategic management plans to achieve that threshold?

A: I don't think the Hall of Fame come into play here. As for increasing revenues, I think the Reds are banking that they will turn things around long-term with the emphasis on player development. That will increase wins, which will in turn increase attendance and thus increase revenue. That will take a couple of years - minimum - to work out. And if the current regime fails, i.e. all the people who have been hired aren't the right people, it won't work out at all. As for the payroll question, if the payroll was at $65 million this year, the Reds would be competitive if the free agents they spent the money on came through. Theoretically with the added $19 million or so in payroll you could have Bartolo Colon and Greg Maddux in the rotation.

Q, from Rob: How are the chances of Jacob Cruz making the roster? He has been hitting well this year. In previous years he has been hampered by injuries while having a pretty good year. I hope that he gets a shot again.

A: Very good. General manager Dan O'Brien went on his way to praise Cruz's approach at the plate. I think Cruz takes the role John Vander Wal would have filled, until Vander Wal is healthy.

Q, from Kenneth in Richmond, Va.: No question for you sir, just a comment born from frustration. Brandon Larson is the only person I know who, with his baseball life hanging by a thread no thicker than a hair on Don Zimmer's head, could trip over the chalk lines of a batter's box and be out for two weeks. The future does not bode well for this fragile star.

A: Larson is legitimately injured. Turf toe is painful and not to be rushed. But Larson's injury history is pretty scary. That, as much as Larson's struggles, is why the Reds would have been wise to sign a veteran third baseman like, say, Chris Stynes.

Q, from Matt in Newark, Ohio: Here's an idea -- dump Paul Wilson and Jimmy Haynes and go with the youngsters. Just a thought.

A: In the NFL, that's what would happen. But if the Reds dump veteran with a multiyear deal and you have to pay them. That's $3.5 million to Wilson and $2.5 million to Haynes.