Remember Ruben Mateo?

[Road Rage]

I was trying to find some spring #'s on...since Kearns is on the mend is he the 4th OF?

[EricF]

Reggie Taylor is the 4th OF, according to Bob Boone. Today's Cincinnati Enquirer said Mateo is likely to be the 5th OF because he is out of options and the Reds don't appear ready to give up on him. That would put Benny Agbayani and Jose Guillen starting the season in AAA. (Wily Mo Pena is now classified as an infielder.)

[EricF]

The Cincy Enquirer now says that since the Reds will likely start with 12 pitchers, Mateo will probably be put on waivers to be sent to the minors, meaning that another team will be able to claim him.

With 12 pitchers and 2 catchers, there are 11 spots for position players. Besides the 8 starters, there will be Juan Castro, who has a guaranteed contract; Felipe Lopez, who has played himself onto the team; and Wily Mo Pena, who will not be exposed to waivers. That's 11, so Mateo will be left out in the cold.

[Swing for the fences]

Eric - Whats your opinion on Reggie Taylor. I think he'll give DD a good reason to trade Griffey before the deadline. IMO he's a 20/20 guy if he gets playing time.

[EricF]

Sorry, I miscounted. One of the starters is a catcher, so that's one more spot for Reggie Taylor. He played admirably in Griffey's absence last year, but we would have to agree that he's no Ken Griffey. If he were a regular starter somewhere, he could get close to 20 HR and could certainly steal 20. He needs to improve his BA and OBP, though.