By John Fay
Enquirer staff writer

CHICAGO - Pitchers Paul Wilson and Cory Lidle are two names that keep popping up in the trade rumor mill.

There's speculation in New York that the Mets would be willing to deal third baseman Ty Wigginton for Lidle or Wilson.

But Reds general manager Dan O'Brien says the club isn't looking to move either.

"I don't know if I can predict the future," O'Brien said. "But I would say we are predisposed to keeping Cory and Paul on our staff.

"They are going to be an important part of the rest of our season."

Wilson and Lidle will be free agents. Wilson is having a career year (9-2, 3.71 ERA). Lidle's results have be spotty - 6-7, 4.79 ERA - but when he's on, he has been very good.

Either would likely bring good prospects from a contending club. Again, O'Brien says that as long as the Reds are contending, that isn't going to happen.

The Reds started Wednesday 21/2 games behind San Francisco in the National League wild-card race. With the non-waiver trade deadline nine days away, it's unlikely the Reds would fall totally out of it. So Wilson and Lidle are likely to be Reds past the July 31 deadline.

"I can't make an absolute guarantee," O'Brien said. "But that's the way it's looking."

O'Brien said the Reds remain active on the trade front, but nothing has come to fruition because it's such a tough market.

"There are 21 teams still in contention," he said. "All of them are looking for the same thing: Pitching."

If the Reds aren't going to trade Lidle and Wilson, wouldn't it make sense to begin talking about extending their contracts?

O'Brien said the Reds won't talk contracts until after the season.

"We don't want any distractions for any of our athletes," O'Brien said.

Lidle would like a multi-year deal.

"Last year, I think I set myself up to get a multi-year contract," he said. "(Then) I came down with a few injuries and the numbers just basically fell off the table . . . I'm 32 and I've still got some ball in me. It's getting to that time where it might be my last multi-year deal. I've got to take advantage of it."

O'Brien sees no disadvantage in waiting.

Clubs are given a period after the season when they have exclusive rights to negotiate with their own free agents. That's when the Reds would make a pitch to Lidle or Wilson, if they wanted them back.