Only Bruce (right field) and Taveras (center field) seem assured of starting spots on Opening Day 2009.

Hopper and Dickerson - if he makes the team - seem destined for bench duty, meaning the Reds still have a hole in left field.

Hopper missed most of last season, playing only 26 games before eventually undergoing Tommy John elbow surgery.

Dickerson hit .304 in 31 lateseason games, including six homers in 91 at-bats, before a stress fracture in his ankle ended his season - another in a long line of injuries to the 26-year-old.

General Manager Walt Jocketty seems unconcerned, though, believing the Reds remain in the running to re-sign free-agent outfielder Jerry Hairston Jr.

"If we sign him, he can play some left field for us," said Jocketty, also adding that the club is still searching for a right-handed power hitter for left field.

Taveras plugs two holes - center field and leadoff.

Taveras, who turned 27 on Christmas Day, hit only .251 with a .308 on-base average with Colorado last year, although he stole 68 bases in 75 tries.

But in 2007, Taveras hit .320 in 97 games with a .367 on-base average and 33 stolen bases for the Rockies.

Before playing in Colorado, Taveras had two solid years in Houston, hitting .291 in 2005 and .278 in 2006, playing 152 and 149 games, respectively.

He stole 34 bases in 2005 and 33 in 2006.

"We've added speed to our club and added defense," Jocketty said. "He fills a lot of needs for us, and what I like is he is genuinely excited about coming to the Reds."

? Reds think Taveras can

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