[Stardust]

Well, I hate to even start the discussion but as soon as the season is over, it's realistic to start looking at next years club. Who will the Reds keep, who will they let go.

Five players (Aroldis Chapman, Francisco Cordero, Nick Masset, Brandon Phillips and Scott Rolen) are under contract for next year.

Homer Bailey, Logan Ondrusek, Travis Wood, Ryan Hanigan, Juan Francisco, Chris Heisey and Drew Stubbs are all one- to three-year players. They’ll make right around the minimum of $400,000.

Bill Bray, Johnny Cueto, Edinson Volquez and Votto will eligible for arbitration.

The Reds have 11 players who are either free agents or have options. So they’ll have to make decisions on them:

–Bronson Arroyo: The Reds hold an $11 million option. Walt Jocketty confirmed they will do at least that. They’d like to extend Arroyo beyond 2011 as well.

–Jonny Gomes: The Reds have an option for $1.8 million. That’s so cheap, I think they’ll pick it up. Gomes had a solidly year offensively. Bringing him back gives the Reds time to develop another option, i.e, Chris Heisey or Todd Frazier.

–Aaron Harang: The Reds are obviously going to turn down his option. I don’t see him coming back under a reworked deal. He is better off going to somewhere with a less homer friendly park.

–Arthur Rhodes: He’s a free agent. If the Reds can bring him back at similar money ($2 million), you could see him back.

–Ramon Hernandez: He had a $3.5 million vesting option based on 120 games played. He did not reach that. I could see the Reds bringing him back at $3 million or so. Devin Mesoraco could be ready sometime in 2011. He’s going to be the No. 1 guy when he arrives, signing Hernandez gives them a solid duo until Mesoraco is ready.

–Orlando Cabrera: There is a mutual option for $4 million. I don’t see the Reds picking that up. Paul Janish is better defensively and has come on offensively.

–Miguel Cairo: He’s a free agent. The Reds will likely try to bring him back.

–Laynce Nix: Also a free agent. I think the Reds will do what they did last year: Not offer arbitration and try to sign him ti a minor league deal.

–Mike Lincoln: He’s a free agent. I would be surprised if he’s back under a minor league deal.

–Jim Edmonds: He’s a free agent. I expect him to retire.

–Russ Springer: Same as Edmonds.