By John Fay
Enquirer staff writer

Ken Griffey Jr. was batting .253 with 20 homers and 60 RBI in 83 games this season. The Enquirer/CRAIG RUTTLE

There are no easy answers to the Ken Griffey Jr. question for the Reds.

In the wake of his latest season-ending injury, it would seem foolish to have Griffey rehabilitate in the offseason, then send him out to play center field every day next season.

But the only thing the Reds really can do is move Griffey to one of the corner outfield positions.

"Let's put it this way: In light of his injury history, we would be remiss if we didn't at least explore him playing one of the other outfield position," general manager Dan O'Brien said.

"Kenny is very open-minded about that," said Brian Goldberg, Griffey's agent. "He didn't bring it up when I spoke to him last night. But I think as he gets closer to being ready next spring, it's something he'd look at."

But you can argue how much that will help. Remember, Griffey suffered his latest injury - a complete tear of the right hamstring - while playing right field, not center.

Ideally, the Reds would move Griffey to first base. He played two games there when he was with Seattle. Former manager Bob Boone thought Griffey had the potential to be a Gold Glove first baseman.

But the Reds have a first baseman in Sean Casey, who happens to be their best hitter. And Casey, who plays only first, is the only other Reds position player on a long-term contract. Casey is signed through 2005 with a club option for 2006.

Trading Casey to open up first for Griffey is a possibility.

What about trading Griffey to a club that can play him at first or use him as a designated hitter?

Two problems there. One, Griffey becomes a five-and-10 player after this season. Because he is a 10-year big-league veteran and he has played with the same club for five years, he can reject a trade. Griffey's list of acceptable teams would be short. Remember, part of the reason he came here was to be closer to his offseason home in Orlando, Fla.

"A big part of him coming to Cincinnati - besides the history and him being from here - was geographic," Goldberg said.

And, right now, because of his injuries and his contract, the list of teams willing to take him is shorter than the list of ones to which he'd go. In other words, a trade in the offseason isn't likely. O'Brien says as much.

"In light of his injury, I don't think anything in the offseason is going to transpire, except him rehabbing," O'Brien said.

Griffey is under contract through 2008 at $12.5 million a year. (There's a club option with a buyout for 2009).

Given his run of injuries, the club probably would have to take on some of his contract to trade him.

"That's something we haven't looked at," chief operating officer John Allen said. "It would be pure speculation at this point. We're not actively trying to trade him."

Allen said the Reds would deal with the contract issue once a negotiation for a trade began.

Griffey's injuries - this is the sixth one that has put him on the DL with the Reds - have been to different body parts, with the exception of his right hamstring, which he tore in 2002.

Reds medical director Dr. Tim Kremchek compares Griffey to a long-distance runner.

"I see people who are in great shape," Kremchek said. "But they're broken down from the pounding."

Griffey is only 35, but this is his 16th year in the big leagues.

"He started in the big leagues as a young kid," Kremchek said. "Playing center field is so hard, it's taken a toll. Not many play there for 15 years.

"Is he done? My answer is no. If it was something recurring, it would be different. But he's been able to come back each time."

E-mail jfay@enquirer.com