I think there's probably a real good chance something will happen there. He did well there last year.

It's a timing issue. Once he had surgery, he didn't gear up to be ready for Feb. 23 or even Spring Training. He was gearing up for Opening Day. Our hope, and I think everyone's hope, would be it he could have through Spring Training, and then a determination be made.

They have not done that. Have they hinted at it? Are we well aware they may want that to happen? Yes. But they said early on they're not going to try to press him into the situation.

If he's incapable of doing this, he's going to say so. He's said many times, he's not going to embarrass himself. He's a man of integrity. He cares about the team and cares about baseball.

He believes he's going to be ready for the start of the season. That's what we're counting on.

Would they want Jeff Bagwell now making $17 million, or opt for access to $15 million? I can understand that. But he's under contract. Sometimes you have to live with it.

That date has changed. The timeline moved up as to when the claim has to be made.

This isn't about money for Jeff. Jeff is guaranteed his full salary regardless of what happens ? if he's deemed to be disabled or he's deemed to be able to play. It's not to him about the greediness, as some people seem to have asserted in some commentaries.

I think the Reds are our most viable alternative. We've talked to some other clubs, but those have been contingent discussions.