Sans Aurilia, Cincy must now find a way to fill the sizeable offensive hole that his departure creates. Particularly in the infield. Needless to say, doing so won't be as easy as simply plugging the gap with just anyone.

Aurilia's bat sang to the tune of a .300 average, 23 homers and 70 RBI. That's production. That's impact. What it isn't is chicken feed.

And please, let's not pretend that the Reds' recent addition of Jeff Conine mitigates against Aurilia's absence. Anyone who seriously thinks that it does has been reading too many Grimm's Fairy Tales. Or smoking something illegal!

Though still somewhat serviceable, Conine is well on his way to qualifying for AARP benefits (he's 40) so expecting any sort of consistent and dramatic production from him is a faint hope at best.

Hell, the Oakland Raiders have a better chance of making the playoffs than Conine does of making anyone forget Aurilia.

So let's get real here. While losing Aurilia is a definite blow and trying to replace his numbers will be nigh onto impossible, the sting of his defection can be minimized if the Reds bring aboard a versatile infielder who can stroke.

Fortunately, there are two such players currently on the open market. They're plums waiting to be plucked. They're answers to a prayer.

The question is are the Reds sage enough to take the plunge, cough up some dough and put one of them in those new duds the team recently unveiled?

Or will they continue to play it cozy, twiddle their thumbs and stand idly by as someone else makes a move that more than likely will pay off.

If Conine's acquisition precludes the Reds from pursuing a deal that would net them either one-time Red Aaron Boone or rock solid Mark Loretta, then maybe someone is indeed smoking something. Like perhaps management.

Because if that's the case and Cincy isn't interested in Boone or Loretta, then G.M. Wayne Krivsky and his minions need to be drug tested immediately.

In his wildest dreams, Conine can't possibly provide the Reds with what either Boone or Loretta can offer in the way of versatility, defense and a reliable bat.

If these three guys were in a game of chose-'em and only two could be selected, Conine would be the one everyone would bypass. He'd be the one whining about not being picked and sitting on his ass.

Facts are facts and the cold hard truth is that Conine doesn't measure up to Loretta or Boone in all-around value or worth. Compared to them, he's a step down not to mention two steps slower.

It's scary to imagine that there might be some in the Cincy front office who actually believe Conine is a better fit for the Reds than Boone or Loretta. Such warped thinking generally lands you in the unemployment line if not the looney bin.

Realistically, you couldn't go wrong with either "Boonie" or Loretta. They're both true gamers who would bring a desperately needed workmanlike approach to the Reds. As an added bonus, given their temperaments, each would be a welcomed clubhouse presence.

Based upon results over the last couple of years, the 6-0, 185-pound Loretta appears to be the most desirable option and his career average of .299 is mighty impressive for an infielder.

Having watched Loretta regularly when he was with the Padres, I can testify that he's the consummate pro. He's amazingly steady, a contact fiend and he does all the little things that translate into victories.

Plug him in somewhere and your worries are over. He'll stand and deliver. He's a solid guy who'll spit out solid numbers.

Bringing Boone home to the Queen City would be a feel-good story to be sure. Aaron enjoyed his most potent years as a Red. Extremely popular with his teammates and the fans alike, his trade to the Yankees in '03 was a public-relations nightmare. Bringing him back might make up for the hard feelings that came when he was shipped out.

Though Boone underachieved somewhat in '05 (.243, 60 RBI) and last year (.251, 46RBI), at 33 he's still a viable force and based on his overall career, he's due to have a bounce back season in '07.

Suiting up as a Red and returning to familiar surroundings might be just the tonic to reenergize him. The fact that he could fill in at any of the infield positions makes him all the more intriguing and attractive.

Surely, Cincy isn't done tweaking its' roster and hopefully there might be plans to obtain the prodigal son Boone or the soon-to-be ex-Red Sox Loretta. Getting either would make for a Red-letter day. And a vastly better team.

Because trying to offset Aurilia's loss with Jeff Conine just ain't going to cut it. It doesn't compute. It's a formula that won't work.