Conventional wisdom suggests the Reds need to figure out what to do with Brandon Phillips before beginning their offseason roster-shuffling.
But the team is looking at it from a different angle.
Rather than committing to Phillips at either second base or shortstop and shopping for a player to fill the other position, the Reds are inclined to see what's out there before slotting Phillips into one spot.
"We'll see what happens this winter - if we come up with a shortstop or we don't," said Reds manager Jerry Narron. "We all think he can play shortstop and we're all pleased with the way he played second."
Narron, in fact, said late this season that he believes Phillips has the tools to become a Gold Glove second baseman. The 25-year-old took over as the starter there in mid-April, not long after arriving in a low-profile trade with Cleveland, and established himself as a contributor at the plate and in the field.
He displayed well above-average range at second base and a solid arm when necessary, but that was expected; his reputation has always been that of a strong defender who hadn't been able to put it together offensively.
Phillips ended up leading the Reds with 148 hits and 36 multi-hit games and led all National League second baseman with 25 stolen bases (in 27 attempts). He became a reliable run-producer, driving in 75 runs with the help of 28 doubles and 17 homers. This from a guy who was a .206 hitter with six home runs in 135 big-league games for the Indians.
That kind of production with the bat made moving Phillips over to shortstop - the position he had played his entire minor league career - a viable alternative. When Felipe Lopez was dealt to the Nationals in July, it became an even more realistic possibility.
The Reds decided it would be unwise to tinker with what at the time had been a very successful formula, so they left Phillips at second and turned mostly to Rich Aurilia and Royce Clayton at shortstop the rest of the way.
In late September, when it appeared the Reds were out of postseason contention, Narron decided to give Phillips an audition at short. He started there Sept. 22 and 23 and acquitted himself well, but didn't make an appearance at the position the rest of the season. He had the St. Louis Cardinals to thank for that, as their late-season slide brought the Reds back into the playoff mix for the final week. That unexpected development shelved the Phillips experiment for the duration.
"We didn't get a fair look at Brandon at shortstop the latter part of the year," said Reds general manager Wayne Krivsky. "But he has played a lot of it in his history."
Phillips made it clear late in the year that he would prefer to play short, particularly for the Reds. He idolized Barry Larkin growing up and feels most comfortable on the left side of the diamond.
"If everything doesn't work out at shortstop, I can go back to second," Phillips said Sept. 22. "But if everything does work out at short, I would love to stay at short."
Whether he gets that chance from the beginning of spring training will depend on what options the Reds find when the trade and free-agent markets get rolling later this month. As a general rule, finding a quality second baseman outside the organization probably would be easier and more economical than acquiring a shortstop.
The initial list of players who have filed for free agency features several veteran possibilities at second base, including Adam Kennedy (Angels), Ronnie Belliard (Cardinals), Jose Valentin (Mets), Ray Durham (Giants), Todd Walker (Padres), Craig Counsell (Diamondbacks) and Tony Graffanino (Brewers). The only marquee shortstop available is Julio Lugo of the Dodgers, who is expected to command a huge deal on the open market.
The wild card in the mix is Aurilia, who rejected a 2007 option with the Reds and filed for free agency Tuesday. It's possible he might return to Cincinnati and start at either second base or shortstop next year, though second would be far more likely.
It will all be sorted out in the coming weeks and months, but Phillips' versatility gives the Reds some flexibility as they dive into the process.
"It's a situation that will evolve over the winter and we'll see which way we think we set up the best," Krivsky said. "The good part is, he's athletic enough to play (shortstop) and I think he would welcome the challenge of playing that position."
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Good enough. At least they are thinking along the right lines. But Lancaster brings up a fine point. Lugo is the only marquee SS on the FA list. So it would be a greater possibility percentage wise to get one of those many 2B listed. Which means Phillips would move to SS.

But I think Aurilia may be a better fit in the long run than any of those 2B. If we can get Aurilia like talent, like say Todd Walker back, and as long as it comes cheaper than most other options. Then go for it. But we still have to remember that the focus may not have to be on the middle infield position. Phillips is already on the roster. And Freel is likely not going anywhere either. So having both of them and knowing their effect on a lineup could have this situation solved already.

Time to focus elsewhere and plug Phillips in at SS already?