This and that

• Hot Stove: The Reds reportedly have talked to representatives for free-agent outfielders Rocco Baldelli and Juan Rivera, and Walt Jocketty says Pat Burrell's reps contacted him.

I know some fans would love to get Burrell, but I'd say "no thanks" on The Bat and Baldelli and "maybe" to Rivera (if the price is right).

Burrell is Adam Dunn with a little bit less power (Burrell has never hit 40 home runs in a season; Dunn's hit at least 40 in five consecutive seasons). Compare their stats: Burrell over the past three seasons has averaged .254/31/92 with 105 walks and 129 strikeouts. Dunn over the past three seasons has averaged .245/40/100 with 112 walks and 140 strikeouts.

Dunn got traded and had worn out his welcome with many Reds fans. Why would a guy who's statistically (and defensively) pretty much the same player fare any better?

Baldelli is only 26, but there are too many questions about his health with his mitochondrial disorder, which slows muscle recovery and causes severe fatigue. I don't think he can be relied upon to provide the big right-handed bat the Reds need.

Juan Rivera is a little more intriguing because he hit .310/23/85 in 448 at-bats with the Angels in 2006 before he broke his leg (and missed almost all of the 2007 season). But he hit .246/12/45 in 256 at-bats last season and he might be less risky than Baldelli but there's no telling whether he can 1) regain his 2006 form and 2) stay healthy enough to play an entire season.

That being said, I wouldn't mind terribly as long as the Reds didn't overpay for him. He doesn't strike out much at all (but he doesn't walk too much either). His funniest stat: He has nine career stolen bases, but he's been caught stealing 17 times. He made $2.025 last season. The Rays reportedly have expressed interest in Rivera.

• Also: Foxsports.com's Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Reds have reached a preliminary agreement with 39-year-old lefty Arthur Rhodes on a 2-year, $4 million deal, pending a physical that Rhodes will take Friday.

There's also speculation that the Reds are one of eight or 10 teams who have contacted the Cubs about Mark DeRosa.

News from Rosenthal's blog concerning a couple of former Reds as well as a Cincinnati native: A source says the Diamondbacks are close to signing Felipe Lopez for one year, $3.5 million. The Yankees' proposed deal for Mike Cameron has hit a snag. And relief pitcher Joe Smith (Amelia HS) reportedly is part of a three-team trade (involving J.J. Putz, among others) that will send him to the Indians.

• Kinda fun when SI.com's Don Banks does his Revised NFL Draft. He has the Bengals taking Steve Slaton - can you imagine? Of course, I can't imagine he would've had the kind of season he's having behind the Bengals' offensive line. And Banks does have Rivers going with the 20th pick in the first round to Tampa Bay.

• DDN's Chick Ludwig chatted with the newest Bengal, former Ohio State Buckeye and Indianapolis Colt Mike Doss.

And the first item in his notebook is about Keith Rivers' ongoing recovery/comeback.

• The Bearcats lost to Utah in the first round in both EA Sports' simulated NCAA Football Playoffs and SI.com's Ultimate Playoff, where fans vote. I guess if it's any consolation, Virginia Tech also lost in both, to USC.

The Bearcats are still alive in CBSSports.com's 64-team college football playoff. After beating Wake, UC is preparing for a second-round showdown with Boston College.

• My buddy Luke Winn has Xavier ranked ninth in his Power Rankings. I actually hadn't heard the quote Luke mentions about Kenny Frease wanting to be Xavier's Greg Oden.

• Non-local link of interest: The Las Vegas Wranglers, the ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Calgary Flames, will don prison-style uniforms to pay tribute to recently disgraced Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich on Jan. 30 against the Victoria Salmon Kings.