Reds manager Jack McKeon is talking versatility and competition heading into spring training - especially at second base.
McKeon, in town on Monday, said that second baseman Bret Boone will see plenty of competition from Pokey Reese and Damian Jackson this spring. He also said Reese will get a look at third and in the outfield and that Chris Stynes could get a look in the infield.
''We'll give these guys a shot and see what happens, and if they're prepared, they could get a spot,'' McKeon said. ''We finished far down enough that many guys have a job locked up.
''The idea is to make some of these guys multi-positional and if they go down there and beat out a guy who's already got a job, so be it.''
Reese, 24, played in 128 games last season as shortstop Barry Larkin endured Achilles problems. Jackson, 24, started five games at short and two at second during a brief stint with the Reds.
''I'm going to play it by ear,'' McKeon said. ''I'm not going to make any quick decisions at this time.
But McKeon is convinced Larkin will be the same Larkin when he returns. He saw Larkin recently in Cincinnati and said there has been ''remarkable progress. Better than expected. When I asked him if he'd be ready for Opening Day, he said he'd be ready for the Super Bowl.''
But if he's not, ''that makes Reese much more valuable. He (Larkin) may need more rest than in the past.''
McKeon told one of his newest players, Dmitri Young, to bring his first baseman's mitt, third baseman's mitt and outfielder's glove.
''(Eduardo) Perez has the job for now,'' said McKeon of first base.
Finding a No. 4 and No. 5 pitcher behind Brett Tomko, Dave Burba and Mike Remlinger is still a priority. Barring a deal McKeon said he'll see what happens with youngsters Jim Crowell and Gabe White.
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