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PITTSBURGH — Jason LaRue wants it known, "I'm no cancer in the clubhouse, not a complainer, and I never have been," and proves it by saying, "David Ross has had a great year."

But — there is always a but — if the Cincinnati Reds believe that Ross is the No. 1 catcher for 2007 and LaRue is backup, LaRue prefers a trade to a team where he can be No. 1.

"I don't know what they're thinking, but if I'm not No. 1 then I would prefer they move me," he said. "Actually, for what they are paying me ($9.1 million for this year and next), it makes no business sense if I'm not No. 1.

"I'm not a backup catcher, never have been," he said. "I played all last season with a broken wrist (hairline fracture) and had the best year of my career."

LaRue injured his knee in spring training and it required surgery. Ross grabbed the chance during LaRue's absence and ran with it. Seeing that, LaRue probably tried to come back too soon and his season never got off the ground.

"Maybe I came back too soon, but as hard-headed as I am, if I think I can catch and help the team, I'm going to be out there," he said. "Right now, the ball is in their court as to what they want to do with me. It is their decision. I have no plans to go spring training as the backup catcher. There is no sense keeping me if that's the plan. If that's the plan, trade me, absolutely, no doubt."

LaRue spent most of the season hitting in the low-rent .170 district, but has hit safely in six of his last seven games (.316) with three homers. But he only starts when Aaron Harang pitches (every fifth day) and has caught 31 of Harang's last 32 starts.

Dunn: no excuses

Manager Jerry Narron gave Adam Dunn the perfect out to explain his September swoon — .145 with two homers and five RBI. Narron says Dunn is tired and if Ken Griffey Jr. and Ryan Freel were not hurt, "I'd have given Dunn a few days off this month. But with those two out, Dunn is in there."

Dunn started his 158th game Friday (the Reds have played 160) after he played 160 last year and 161 the year before. And each September Dunn's numbers sink.

But he won't use fatigue as an easy out, even though it is an easy out.

"You know what? Honest to God, I feel physically better than I have ever," Dunn said. "Nothing hurts. I mean, nothing. Usually my shoulder is barking or something. But nothing hurts. I feel great.

"I probably am tired and I'm not disputing that," he said. "I don't feel tired. I don't know what to say about that."

Dunn, though, says he does try too much tinkering when things go wrong.

"That's why I stink," he said. "It gets in my own head so bad and I think I have to change things and I go up to the plate thinking too much and you can't do that. It's just stupid."

Reds win the toss

They had one more coin flip Friday and the Reds were involved. If Houston and the Reds tie for the National League Central, there would be a one-game playoff Tuesday in Cincinnati — the Reds won Friday's coin toss for home-field advantage.

In a previous coin toss, GM Wayne Krivsky lost a flip with St. Louis so if the Reds and Cardinals tie, the playoff game will be in St. Louis. Houston was not included in the original round of coin flips because they were 8 1/2 games out of first place at the time, but made up seven games in seven days.

Red as in Reds

A peek at next year was visible on a trunk inside the clubhouse door Friday. New Era, major-league baseball's official hat manufacturer, dropped off samples of next season's home hats.

It's back to solid red with a white wishbone 'C,' the caps The Big Red Machine wore, although there is still a tinge of black outlining the 'C,' which wasn't on the 1970s hats.

There was one on manager Jerry Narron's desk, too, and he said, "I like it. When I saw them, I grabbed one."

The team will have different uniforms next year — no cut-off sleeves and names on the back will be in a font and design solely used by the Reds.