Reese

CINCINNATI – Although sources say the Reds discussed a possible trade of two-time Gold Glove second baseman Pokey Reese to the New York Yankees, the deal is unlikely to happen.

The Cincinnati Post reported Thursday that the Reds were trying to send Reese to the Yankees for second baseman Alfonso Soriano, in part because the Reds feel they won't be able to afford to re-sign Reese after this season.

However, sources close to the Yankees told ESPN's Peter Gammons that the team was not trying to acquire Reese for Soriano. In fact, the Yankees rejected the deal 10 days ago, the sources told Gammons. The Yankees believe Soriano will, in time, be a Gold Glove second baseman, albeit maybe not as skilled as Reese.

Reese is eligible for arbitration again next winter after settling in the spring for a $3.2 million, one-year deal to avoid a hearing. If Reese wins a third straight Gold Glove, he figures to command a much larger sum.

The Yankees could be interested in a more permanent replacement for Chuck Knoblauch at second after Knoblauch had to be moved to left field because of an erratic throwing arm.

Soriano isn't eligible for arbitration. He came into the season with a lifetime average of .172 in 31 big-league games, but has been playing regularly for the Yankees at second this season and is hitting .277.

The Yankees have also intensified their interest in Reds reliever Dennys Reyes, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported on Thursday.

That rumor has spread to the Reds' clubhouse, where Reese waved at Reyes and jokingly called, "Adios, amigo."

However, the Yankees are unwilling to give up Soriano or prospect Nick Johnson for Reyes, sources told Gammons.