DENVER -- In a four-player deal, Cincinnati Reds infielder Pokey Reese was shipped on Tuesday to Colorado, but he probably won't remain with the Rockies for long.

Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd intends to deal Reese, possibly before the deadline for offering Reese salary arbitration.

"More than likely Pokey will not end up playing with us," O'Dowd said. "We're looking at other things. We like the kids up the middle (second baseman Jose Ortiz and shortstop Juan Uribe) and will stay with them."

In a move to trim payroll, the Rockies sent pitchers Gabe White and Luke Hudson to Cincinnati for Reese and left-handed reliever Dennys Reyes.

"We look at this as a Hudson-for-Reyes deal," O'Dowd said.

Reese, who led the Reds in stolen bases the past three seasons but who hit only .224 with nine homers and 40 RBI last season, made $3.2 million in 2001 and could be expected to make upward of $4.5 million in arbitration this off-season.

Trading White freed the Rockies of about $5.35 million in contracts over the next two seasons, $2.25 million next year and $3.1 million in 2003.

Reyes, 24, is eligible for arbitration, but after making $625,000 this past season, he is not expected to make more than $1 million next year, O'Dowd said.

O'Dowd said moving the 30-year-old White gives the club "more payroll flexibility in a market that is very fluid, meaning a lot of guys are looking for work." White struggled this past year after being named the Rockies' pitcher of the year in 2000.

Reyes went 2-6 with a 4.92 ERA in 2001, making six starts and 29 relief appearances.

The Rockies also dumped payroll on Saturday, trading third baseman Jeff Cirillo to Seattle for three pitchers.