Jocketty: No Greene for Reds

CINCINNATI -- The Reds could be open to pursuing another shortstop, but it won't be Khalil Greene.

Reds general manager Walt Jocketty on Thursday shot down a newspaper report out of San Diego this week that he was interested in trading with the Padres for Greene.

"We're looking at shortstops but not that one. I don't know where that came from," Jocketty said as he prepared to return home from the General Managers Meetings, which were held in Southern California.

"I told clubs we're looking for protection in the event Alex Gonzalez is not able to play," Jocketty continued. "We're not looking to take on a large salary. It'd be a zero to three [years] guy. Or, we might not do anything. We've got alternatives with Jeff Keppinger, Paul Janish and of course, Gonzalez."

Gonzalez, who is slated to make $5.375 million next season in the final year of his three-year contract, missed all of 2008 because of microfracture surgery on his left knee. Greene, heading into the last year of his deal with San Diego, is due to make $6.5 million.

The GM Meetings did not produce a major transaction this week, but Jocketty touched base with other clubs and agents. He held talks with Casey Close, the agent for infielder/outfielder Jerry Hairston Jr.. Teams have exclusive negotiating rights with their own free agents through Nov. 13.

An agreement was not imminent between the Reds and Hairston, who became a free agent last week.

"I don't think we're there but maybe we got closer," Jocketty said.