Sports

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Rumors at baseball's annual winter meetings are as numerous as guitar pickers at the Grand Ole Opry, and the 2007 version is no different.

And the Cincinnati Reds are involved in many as the team attempts to add a starting pitcher.

As Reds scout Squeaky Parker said, "We're always looking for a guy who can throw peas at the knees."

Both the San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs are looking for an outfielder with pop in his bat and that leads them to ask about Josh Hamilton.

With Adam Dunn and Ken Griffey Jr. at the corner outfield spots, the Reds have at least four center field candidates — Hamilton, rookie Jay Bruce, Ryan Freel and Norris Hopper, plus Chris Dickerson in the minors.

Hamilton is the most attractive to other teams.

"We have to make decisions on younger players (as to) whether we'd include them in a trade," General Manager Wane Krivsky said.

The Giants could be talked out of right-hander Tim Lincecum (7-5, 4.00 earned-run average in 24 starts last season) or left-hander Noah Lowry (14-8, 3.92 in 26 starts last season).

The Cubs might be willing to part with left-hander Sean Marshall (7-8, 3.92 in 19 starts) or right-hander Sean Gallagher, although he worked out of the bullpen last year (0-0, 8.59 ERA in eight appearances).

Krivsky acknowledged the team's priority is a starting pitcher.

"I've made a lot of calls and talked to a lot of teams, some on the phone, some in person," Krivsky said. "We're looking for a starter, and right-handed or left-handed doesn't matter."

He added that trade dialogue seems higher at these meetings than in the recent past and, "Yes, I'd categorize us as active."

As for the ability to make trades, Krivsky said, "We've built depth here with our position players. And our minor-league depth of prospects has improved the last few years. We do have some depth in the outfield. We have to address the starting pitching, and that's the focus right now."

Krivsky would not comment on reports the Reds have contacted free-agent right-hander Brett Tomko, originally the Reds' first draft pick in 1995. Tomko was 4-12 with a 5.55 ERA with the Dodgers and Padres last season. If Tomko isn't signed by any team, he could be offered a minor-league contract with an invitation to major-league camp.

Boston pitcher Matt Clement, coming off an injury-filled season, is an available free agent who played for the Cubs under new Reds manager Dusty Baker.

Krivsky did say that top pitching prospect Johnny Cueto would be invited to big-league camp in the spring.

"We'll see what he looks like in spring camp," Krivsky said. "See where he is. He has three starts in his Triple-A career. He has pitched about 200 innings. That includes winter ball, where he is doing well. We're going to shut him down."

No Reds honored

The Arizona Fall League named its top prospects — eight infielders (two at each position), six outfielders, three catchers, two starting pitchers and two relief pitchers. None was from the Reds organization.

Quote of the day

Hall of Fame knuckleball pitcher Phil Niekro, talking about feeling pressure: "The only pressure I ever felt was the air pressure in my car tires."