The Cincinnati Enquirer

The E-mailers don't have a lot of complain about this week. Winning eight of nine will do that:

Q, from Greg in Celina, Ohio: With the way Paul Wilson is pitching, the stability a veteran brings to a young pitching staff, and the Reds plan to build a staff through the acquisitions of young talent, wouldn't it be beneficial for the Reds to try and sign Paul Wilson for beyond this year right now? I would think that he would be cheaper right now for a 2-year contract than to wait until the end of the season when he could be 14-4 and be the gem of the free agent market. Although he could end up 8 - 12, I think he has shown enough to warrant consideration of this move.

A: I don't know if you want to start negotiations with a guy who is 6-0. I'd be surprised if anything happens before August, given Wilson's history with injuries. That said, the Reds need to lock up one veteran to anchor the 2005 staff. Could be Wilson, could be Cory Lidle.

Q, from Blair: Somebody needs to tell Austin Kearns to stop running his mouth and learn to hit. He speaks out against management for keeping him in Louisville and then gets one hit in his first two games back. He also needs to be reminded that he has hit about .190 since his injury last year. Another great move on his part, colliding with Ray King trying to score. Like Brandon Larson he is injury prone and even though he "may" have an upside, is there any chance the Reds will trade him for some pitching? They could have a three- or four-game lead if they had decent pitching, with the number of games they have blown.

A: In fairness to Blair his question came in before Kearns hit .429 with five RBI in a four-game stretch heading into Monday. Kearns is much more proven than Larson and is worlds better defensively. I would not trade Kearns. He's the club's best right-handed bat. And he had every right to be ticked that he wasn't with the club when the homestand started. When he's healthy, he hits - period.

Q, from Justin: You right about Tim Hummel I have been impressed with him as well. I would like to see Hummel be considered for the Third base position over Brandon Larson. I know Larson deserves a shot, but I don't know a time when he has not been injured and the time he has played I really haven't been all that impressed. I mean he is considered to be a power hitting third baseman capable of hitting, what was it? 30-40 home runs a year? And yes I know he has shown glimpses of being really good, but that doesn't last either because of injuries or he goes into a slump. Also he is not a very good defensively.

A: I think the third base job is Freel's for now. Only one stat matters: They were 15-6 going into Monday with him starting at third. I see Larson getting spots starts.

Q, from Scott: We all know Danny Graves is not in the same class as Eric Gagne or Mariano Rivera, but the reason for keeping him as the closer because he's their best option in that role doesn't make sense. Is he a good pitcher? Of course. Is he a great pitcher? No way. Is he really their best option? Wouldn't it make more sense to put John Riedling in that role now? One has given up seven HRs in 23 innings, has an ERA of 3.13, and has four blown saves. The other has given up no HRs in 20 innings and has an ERA of 0.45.

A: The question is would Riedling's numbers be same if he were pitching the ninth. Maybe, maybe not. But, for now, I don't see the swap being made. Graves had converted 10 of his last 11 going into Monday. The Reds will take that.

From Drew in Boston: On a Boston sports radio station, Peter Gammons said something to this effect. "The Red Sox need a first baseman and can go out and get Sean Casey because of his salary." Is this true? Are the Reds trying to unload his contract? If so, this is sad for baseball.

A: I see a fan revolt if that happens. The Reds are in contention. Casey's leading the league in hitting and is probably the most popular Red. You're right, if the Reds trade him it's sad.