Mailbag: Why the need for a shortstop?

You have the key word in that question -- "looking." It doesn't mean the Reds will add one. And if they do go for a shortstop, we now know it won't be an expensive one such as Khalil Greene after general manager Walt Jocketty shot down that rumor pretty definitively. Any shortstop addition would be for a more inexpensive player with less than three years of service time. Here is what I wrote last week.

Gonzalez missed all of last year and had a complicated surgery to repair a fractured left knee. So I think seeking some insurance is wise. This past season underscored the point that depth is needed at shortstop, as the Reds lost four of them to serious injuries -- Gonzalez, Keppinger, Hairston and Jolbert Cabrera. At this point, the Reds will have Keppinger back, but Hairston is still an unsigned free agent. Cabrera won't be back. Young shortstop Paul Janish isn't proven yet offensively, and prospect Chris Valaika remains at least another year away.

What do you think of the idea of moving Brandon Phillips to shortstop and getting a second baseman?
-- George T., Cincinnati

If I were running the Reds, I wouldn't try to move Phillips. He's had tremendous success at second base and just won a Gold Glove there. Phillips said he'd be happy to spend the rest of his career at second base. He is one of the few spectacular fielders on this team, and I wouldn't want to do anything that might destabilize his situation.

How likely is it that Ryan Hanigan will win the starting catcher's job out of Spring Training?
-- Andy B., Andover, Mass.

A lot is up in the air right now. The Reds are definitely taking a look at different types of catching options outside the organization. If they could acquire a frontline, No. 1 catcher, most likely via a trade, Hanigan is the backup in 2009. If there isn't a match, Jocketty would sign a veteran guy that would either be backup to Hanigan or work in a platoon. There doesn't seem to be pressure to land a main catcher, because Hanigan made the front office comfortable with the idea that he could do it every day.

Can we agree that the Reds need to acquire a left-handed starter? I was just curious what lefties are free agents and do you see the Reds pursuing any of them?
-- Andy R., Cincinnati

Have a question about the Reds? E-mail your query to MLB.com Reds beat reporter Mark Sheldon for possible inclusion in a future Inbox column. Letters may be edited for brevity, length and/or content. First Name, Last Initial: Hometown: Email Address: Question:

Barring a trade, the Reds seemingly have four right-handers locked in and one lefty -- Matt Maloney -- among the many young candidates that could battle for the fifth spot. Only one lefty starter pitched for the Reds this past season -- Adam Pettyjohn, in the final game -- so that different look was really missing. Jocketty previously mentioned Mark Mulder, but the veteran's shoulder history is a question mark. As for other lefties, once you get past CC Sabathia and Oliver Perez, many of the options are older or have issues -- such as Mike Hampton, Tom Glavine, Jamie Moyer, Shawn Estes and Randy Johnson.

What is the time frame or game plan for a guy like Ismael Guillon, the 16-year-old pitcher the Reds just signed? If he was outstanding for the next two years, would there be any chances of seeing him in the bigs at 18?
-- Tim D., Rio Grande, Ohio

Considering that most players and pitchers drafted out of high school take between four and five years, I would expect the same path of progress from Guillon. He hasn't even pitched professionally in the organization yet, so it's a little early to start projecting.

Should the Reds try to re-sign David Weathers after his 2008 season?
-- Ashley M., North Vernon, Ind.

I've said it during the season -- yes, they should. People constantly complain about Weathers, but the numbers don't lie. Weathers has been solid the past two seasons -- both closing and setting up. At his age (39), I'd hesitate at offering a long-term deal, but one or two years is certainly a reasonable expectation.

Do you have any idea on which Reds may play in the 2009 World Baseball Classic?
-- Zachary F., Cincinnati

Those decisions haven't been finalized yet, but pitchers Edinson Volquez and Johnny Cueto both had interest in pitching for the Dominican Republic. Third baseman Edwin Encarnacion might also play for the Dominicans. Joey Votto hadn't committed himself, but he would seem a likely representative for Canada. Javier Valentin is willing to play for Puerto Rico. Jay Bruce is probably a long-shot bid to play for the United States, considering the deep pool of veteran American outfielders that is ahead of him.