We'd sure like to have either a closer or top-notch starting pitcher for our rotation. We're out there looking every day. Most of these people are not available anymore. We'd have to do it through trades. Most of the teams want our good young position players. It's going to be difficult, but it's not for lack of trying.

We're buying the Reds to win. Anything else is unacceptable.

I wanted Lou to come up here in the worst way as a special advisor. He promised me, if I asked him to, he'd come down to Spring Training. He's just a terrific guy. He will not be with us this year.

If the occasion calls for it. If we're into the middle of July and we're a contender, we're going to have to go with it and bite the bullet. That would be an example. Are we going to try and do that early on? No. We're going to stick to our budget.

As we build our organization, we'll likely do some other things differently once we get our sleeves rolled up. I intend to work out of the Reds' offices on a daily basis until I have an insider's understanding of how we work.

This is only our first day.

We didn't get involved with the Reds to wallow in mediocrity. If that's all we have to offer, we shouldn't be hanging around. We're going to give it 110 percent to put a contender on the field.