John Fay:
Matt Morris' signing with the San Francisco Giants forced the Reds into the Plan B mode.
The Reds made Morris, a free-agent right-hander, an offer Saturday.
"We made a bonafide offer - no question," Reds general manager Dan O'Brien said.
The offer was believed to be in the range of $25 million over three years.
If the Reds were willing to pay Morris that, they could offer a similar deal to another free agent.
"We're talking to a number of different agents," O'Brien said. "We're in various stages. Right now, I think it's best to keep (who we're talking to) confidential."
There are three free-agent starters in Morris' class:
Kevin Millwood. He went 9-11 for the Cleveland Indians, but he led the American League with a 2.86 ERA.
Jarrod Washburn. The left-hander was 8-8 with the Los Angeles Angels with a 3.20 ERA.
Jeff Weaver. He was 14-11 with a 4.22 ERA with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
All three are clients of Scott Boras, so they're not likely to take less than top dollar.
Scott Elarton (11-9, 4.61 ERA with Cleveland) and Jason Johnson (8-14, 4.54 with Detroit) are also still on the market and would be cheaper.
But O'Brien said the Reds are looking beyond free agents.
"We're approaching it on two fronts: Free agency and trades," O'Brien said. "I wouldn't handicap which is more likely."
The trade of Sean Casey, which opened up an outfield position for Wily Mo Peņa, won't prevent the Reds from trading an outfielder.
"Right now, we have to consider anything that involves potentially improving our pitching," O'Brien said.
Trading for infielder/outfielder Tony Womack gives the Reds the flexibility to play Ryan Freel in left field should Peņa or outfielder Austin Kearns be traded. That's particularly true if the Reds re-sign infielder Rich Aurilia, which they hope to do.