It's a fact I met with the Reds 2 1/2 years ago, and it's flattering that they want to talk with me again. It's a different owner and a different time, but I'm just flattered they want to talk again.

I might make a couple of early trips (with the Reds), and then in September. But I think from April through August I'll probably go to the minor leagues.

It was flattering, but it couldn't have worked out any better the fact that we decided that I'm still a Panther. I've never considered any position I've had as a stepping stone. You put your head down, go to work and do things the right way and things happen. My conversation with Iowa State is something that happened.

We know he has received other good offers. But we're very interested in acquiring his services because we think he could be the fourth or fifth pitcher in our rotation.

I would hope by the time we have our organizational meetings at the end of October that we have a better sense of who we are, that we have a sense of where we're going, that we set a game plan, which I wasn't able to do, obviously, this year. This whole year's going to be an evaluation process of a lot of things.

I was very pleased. I'm sure Eric feels good about what he did. He had a little extra on his fastball. He threw it by some pretty good hitters.