Mailbag: Can Cordero be a leader?

I know fan perception is completely the opposite of the numbers. Weathers was solid the past two years and that's the main reason he was still around. There is a long list of quality "veteran presence" people that have been jettisoned and/or had their contracts eaten by the club over the years because they didn't produce.

As for Cordero, he quickly assimilated himself during his first year in Cincinnati. He often held court in the clubhouse with many of the young Latin pitchers and players.

I know the Reds need a right-handed bat, so why not Pat Burrell? Yeah, I know he strikes out, but we need a power hitter in this lineup.
-- Tyler C., West Jefferson, Ohio

The odds of the Reds and the free agent Burrell getting together are slim. I know his people and the Reds haven't talked at all to this point. General manager Walt Jocketty told me last week that Burrell "might be a little out of our price range."

The Reds have been pretty lucky when it comes to players reviving their careers in Cincinnati. What better place for Andruw Jones to get back to greatness than in Cincinnati, a hitters' ballpark? With his struggles recently, he really couldn't demand salary that would be out of the Reds market -- just a thought.
-- Matthew M., Fort Campbell, Ky.

Jones is already under contract for next season to make $15 million, which is outrageous when you look at the production the Reds might get in return. His offensive numbers have fallen off the map -- a .158 average and three homers for the Dodgers in 2008, and a .222 average for the Braves in 2007. Los Angeles would probably love to unload Jones, but it would likely have to pay for much of the remaining money.

Because the Cardinals are still negotiating on whether or not they will pick up Trever Miller, do you think there is a chance the Reds can take a look into him? He sounds like a pretty good fit for us. He is a lefty and I can't imagine Miller asking for anything more than an average salary.
-- Kevin T., Cincinnati

I was told the Reds were interested in Miller but felt his price tag was too high for a situational lefty. They are going to look at others, like Joe Beimel, Dennys Reyes or Will Ohman. Looking at contracts given to guys like former Red Jeremy Affeldt (two years, $8 million) or Damaso Marte (three years, $12 million), and it's clear that veteran lefties are viewed as premium as ever.

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:

What are the chances that Nick Masset and Micah Owings will be used as relievers?
-- Christy H., Batavia, Ohio

Masset, acquired from the White Sox in the Ken Griffey Jr. trade, will likely be part of the bullpen as a long/middle reliever. Masset does have starting experience and that could always be an option if the Reds felt shorthanded. Right now, they don't seem to be short of rotation candidates.

Owings, who came over in the Adam Dunn trade with Arizona, is expected to compete for the fifth starter's spot. If he doesn't get it, he could also go into the bullpen as a middle reliever.

What is the most repetitive question you get asked about the Reds that you are tired of being asked?
-- Paul G., Bowling Green, Ohio

Fun question and it's one I've actually never been asked before. Good work, Paul.

This winter there have been lots of questions suggesting Owings should be converted from a pitcher to a position player despite his not having thrown an inning yet for the Reds. There have been numerous trade suggestions to acquire superstars around the league, but rarely do they have any benefit at all for the other team involved in the deal.

By far, the most repetitive question over my last three years on this beat has been about Sean Casey. It's a testament to how well the personable Casey connected with Reds fans because so many people keep asking if he can come back to Cincinnati.