Inbox: What is Reds' Deadline plan for Puig?

Do you think the Reds will sell high on Yasiel Puig or keep him and try to re-sign him?
-- Tim T.

Unless the Reds take a big nosedive after they return from the All-Star break, I can’t see them selling Yasiel Puig -- or anybody. Despite being at the bottom of the National League Central as of Friday, they are 41-44 and only 3 1/2 games out of first place. There isn’t a second-place team in another division that's that close. With ownership being as competitive as it is and the front office trying to create a winning culture under manager David Bell, waving a white flag and selling would highly irritate a win-starved fanbase.

At the least, I could see president of baseball operations Dick Williams and general manager Nick Krall standing pat. But if the Reds are still contending, they should be buyers. They could use additional bullpen help and perhaps another bat.

With Alex Wood on rehab assignment, if he is healthy, where does he fit on this team -- in the starting rotation or coming out of the bullpen?
-- Casey K.

The Reds' rotation has the second-best ERA in the NL, and no one really deserves to come out to make room for Alex Wood. If he has a setback-free rehab assignment, he could be ready by the end of July or early August. Bell said that Cincinnati is going to prepare him as a starter, but I could see Wood being used out of the bullpen if there are issues with getting him stretched out for his innings. It could be a fast-track way to get him back.

Who is the long-term answer at shortstop if Jose Iglesias is just a stopgap?
-- Chris, White House, Tenn.

José Peraza was the shortstop before José Iglesias was signed and second baseman Scooter Gennett was injured in March. Peraza made great inroads last season at shortstop after some rough spots early on. I would imagine the job would be his. But I think the Reds should and could make a run at signing Iglesias, because his defense is on another level and his hitting continues to be solid.

With Marty Brennaman retiring, what’s the chance the Reds brass brings in Bronson Arroyo or Sean Casey, or brings back Paul Keels to do radio with the “Cowboy,” Jeff Brantley?
-- Roger L.

I could see guest appearances for guys like Arroyo, but he has a pretty good life outside of baseball and he plays with his band a lot. One thing about players in retirement is that they don’t often need full-time jobs to lock them up for a six-month season. That’s why many parachute in as a Spring Training instructor for a week or do just a handful of broadcasts. As for Casey, he has his deal with MLB Network, and that also allows him to work a few days a month.

Keels is a tremendous person and a talented broadcaster. But football and basketball are more in his wheelhouse, and it showed during his one season calling some Reds games. He does a great job for Ohio State.