Reds mailbag

MLB.com has a regular “Reds mailbag” feature in which the MLB.com beat writer for the team (Anthony Castrovince) answers questions. Here’s today’s mailbag column, with gems like this:

My question is, will the Cincinnati Reds do good this year? And will they win all their games? — Kristopher A., Milford, Ohio

I don’t know if they’ll be able to win all of their games, Kristopher. That Aug. 12 matchup with the Brewers looks to be a tough one.

Indeed.

Someone better tell John Fay about this:

But general manager Dan O’Brien told me the two are by no means competing for the second base job, even though Freel has made a couple starts at the position during the past week. Jimenez signed a $2.87 million deal in the offseason, and he’s not being paid that kind of cash to be a backup.

So much for Fay’s 2B competition idea.

Finally, here’s the kind of enlightened thinking that is going to have Felipe Lopez sitting squarely on his behind next Monday:

Lopez is an attractive candidate who is playing with a confidence that belies his age. But I think the Reds would be hard-pressed to hand over the reigns to a young guy like Lopez when an experienced vet like Aurilia is on hand. We should know the team’s decision any day now.

I think we already know the team’s decision; it just hasn’t been made official yet.

Gotta love those “experienced vets.” Forget about talent, give me some guy that’s been around a while. Has anyone signed Fred McGriff yet? He’s experienced; he’s also a vet. Sign McGriff now!