Reds Chris Dickerson Wants Chance To Start In Center

Spring training is barely a week old and players are already complaining. Not in a "waah I want to play" sort of way, but more of a "can i get a little respect up in here" way.

Chris Dickerson told reporters yesterday that he doesn't understand why Drew Stubbs should automatically be penciled into the starting center field position.

"It's kind of angry and it's frustration and I know it's going to come out that way, I know," Dickerson said.

The 27 year-old Dickerson has had a frustrating career with the Cincinnati Reds. He has been plagued with injuries throughout his minor league and major league career. He was only able to play in 77 games last year due to injury—while watching Stubbs tear it up from the dugout

The 25-year-old Stubbs played well in his short time in Cincinnati last season, hitting eight home runs in 180 at-bats, while hitting .267 and playing above average defense.

What irks Dickerson is that his numbers weren't that different when he came up the previous year. Dickerson also came up in the middle of August '08 and he hit six home runs in 102 at-bats, while batting .304. Like his 2009, the season was cut short by a trip to the disable list.

So what did the Reds do last offseason? Sign Will Taveras.

'Nuff said if you watched the Reds last year.

Dickerson took it as a punch to the gut to hear that the same numbers he put up in '08 now automatically gets Stubbs the starting spot in '09.

"Dickerson has as much ability as anybody, it's just a matter of him staying healthy, the same thing I said last year," manager Dusty Baker said.

"People want to know why he didn't play every day, and that's because I wanted to keep him healthy with his history of injuries."

So by not playing him you are helping him avoid injuries? Great logic Dusty.

Beginning in August '08, Dickerson has been on the disabled list three times. He also spent time on Class AAA Louisville's disabled list in 2008. So the concern is there but you can't be afraid to play him.

Dickerson played all three outfield positions last season, starting 27 games in left, 19 in center and 13 in right. He produced, finishing sixth among National League rookies in batting average (.275), fourth in stolen bases (11), third in on-base percentage (.379), sixth in walks (39) and tied for third in outfield assists (five).

Sure Dickerson can still be the starter in left field, but he will be battling Johnny Gomes and Laynce Nix for ABs all season. But Dickerson is light years ahead of the two in the defensive department. Dickerson feels that playing in center field is in his DNA.

"I've played that my entire career since I've been with the Reds," Dickerson said. "Now I've been slated as left field and even then it's not maybe he'll take over center, nope, no, he's battling for left.

"I don't understand it. You can ask anyone I've played with what my best position is and they'll give you a clear-cut answer. It's not even a question for them, it's centerfield."

Strong words from a guy that clearly sounds frustrated with Reds management.

I tend to agree with the guy; why does Stubbs automatically get the job? Every game Stubbs played in was meaningless as the Reds were already out of contention. Not to mention the fact that the Reds played the woeful Pirates and Astros a combined 16 times in the month of September.

At the very least Baker should give Dickerson a chance to win the job. He is more experienced and has a better glove. Offensively the two are very similar.

I'm not saying Stubbs isn't the best option for 2011 and beyond—but right now Dickerson gives the Reds the best chance to win. Usually that's the goal of a baseball team, I think.

Dickerson isn't going to demand a trade— but he will have to settle for using this as motivation for the new season.

"I guess I'll just have to go out and hit .450 this spring".

Sick of It: Cincinnati Bearcats Can't Stick with Mick

Patience is a virtue...except when it comes to sports. I want to win now—none of that "wait till next year" crap.

Cincinnati Bearcats coach Mick Cronin has worn out his welcome after a slipper-shattering 79-76 OT loss at home against the Marquette Golden Eagles.

It doesn't matter any longer if he inherited a program that was wiped clean after the ugly divorce with Cincinnati icon Bob Huggins five years ago. Using the "it's so tough in the Big East" excuse is just as lame. The top tier of the Big East shifts from year-to-year, except for the consistently mediocre Bearcats.

This is Cronin's fourth year as head coach. He is an excellent recruiter that has been able to haul in the likes of Yancey Gates and Cashmere Wright and he also took a huge chance with Lance Stephenson.

But the facts are facts.

The Cats sit at 15-11 and 6-8 in conference play after a sizzling start to the season. After wins over Maryland and Vanderbilt, the expectations grew quickly. A 10-3 start had fans thinking about a possible deep run in the tourney. The sky was the limit.

Freshman Lance Stephenson was looking like the next big thing with only greatness to follow. Sophomore Yancy Gates was punishing weaker opponents in the paint with his bulk strength and excellent rebounding.

Not happening.

The players haven't made enough progress during the season. The supposed freshman sensation Stephenson aka "Born Ready," has regressed. He seems uncertain of his role. Cronin yanks around his minutes to the point where he only was on the floor for 11 of the team's 45 in the OT loss.

Yancy Gates, whom had 14 points in the 22 minutes he did play on Sunday, sat with 7:07 to go in regulation and never returned. He sat the final 12:07 of the game—which amounted to 48 real time minutes. The Golden Eagles played down the stretch with nobody taller than 6'6...Gates is 6'8,'' 260 pounds.

So Cronin sat his top-two players for the vast majority of the game, including crunch time. The Bearcats are a poor-shooting team: poor from the field, from three-point territory, and from the free-throw line. The offense lacks movement. And the players lack hustle.

The most startling stat a coach can have: Cronin has never won a game in March (0-10).

Check-out UC down the stretch under Mick:

'06-07: 1-11 in last 12.
'07-08: 0-7 in last 7...including CBI loss.
'08-09: 1-6 in last 7...including losing final four games.
'09-10: have lost 5 of 7, and 7 of 11.

Preaching patience worked the first three years. This year's underachieving team has no excuses. Cronin simply lacks the "X's and O's" knowledge necessary to coach in the Big East. He consistently gets out coached and his philosophy on substitutions are insane.

The Cats have 10 players that average at least 10 minutes a game. The lack of a consistent rotation is wearing on the players and the blame goes straight to the coach.

Another fizzling ending can not be tolerated and Cronin should be fired. He might have four more years remaining on his deal, but the team needs a better leader. They clearly are not the most self motivated bunch. The Cats need a guy that will get in their face and demand results. That isn't Cronin's style. He's simply too nice a guy

UC's AD needs to revitalize the program and generate some actual excitement. The foundation of Gates and Wright will be around for two more years. The Stephenson experiment will likely be over at the end of this year. Hire a new coach that is recognizable and willing to not settle for average.

Status quo is not good enough.

John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins of Kentucky: College Basketball's Best Duo

John Wall will be the first pick in the 2010 NBA draft barring some catastrophic injury. That was decided back in December.

But is he currently the best player on his team?

He possesses all of the tools to be a pro: speed, quickness, ball handling, and jump-out-of-the-gym hops, and he's a strong finisher around the rim.

He is shooting 47 percent from the field and just under 80 percent from the line while averaging 17 points a game. He has proven he can score at will and in crunch time as well.

Mississippi State found out last night as he hit a key jump-stop 12-footer and also converted an old-fashioned three-point play when Kentucky was on the brink of defeat. He ended up a mere two assists shy of his first career triple-double.

His 6.5 assists a game put Wall near the top of the NCAA. He has the ability to go into "LeBron Mode," where scoring is secondary to getting teammates involved. He even recorded an eye-popping 16 assists against Hartford earlier in the season. But when the Cats need a bucket, Wall will fearlessly call his own number.

The above information is not groundbreaking. Wall has become a media darling to the 10th degree seemingly over night. But people tend to forget about the other ferocious freshman that was imported with John Calipari.

DeMarcus Cousins is an absolute force in the paint with his back to the basket. His wide 6'11" frame makes it tough on defenders trying to block his shot. Cousins is extremely strong, so he is able to create space down low and feast on smaller, weaker defenders.

He has recorded a double-double in eight of the past nine games and averages 16 and 10 a game while shooting almost 55 percent from the floor. He is a guy that can carry an offense for long stretches of time.

He has also greatly improved his vision in the post, and his assists have increased significantly over the second half of the season because of it. Cousins is able to read where the double team is coming from and find the open man. He struggled doing such early in the season.

He has created lots of open three-point looks for Wall. His defense has improved, and he is now able to avoid foul trouble for the most part.

So yes, Wall is great, but so is Cousins. Most casual fans would tell you Wall is the best player on UK. While they may be right, the big fella isn't too far behind.

That's why I believe the Kentucky Wildcats are destined for the 2010 championship.

Why? Because they quite possibly have two of the top five players in all of college basketball. The killer inside-outside combo will be extremely hard to stop, especially when Cousins gets your best big man into early foul trouble and essentially takes him out of the game.

The fact that they are freshmen doesn't bother me. They have yet to choke away a game in crunch time due to nerves or lack of focus. Calipari continues to push the right buttons to get his top players in the right mindset.

In a weak year for overall talent, the freshmen from UK are the cream of the crop and will be the hope and savior of two desperate NBA franchises come June.

Cincinnati Reds Must Make One Last Addition Before Spring Training

The time has come. The date circled on the calendar for MLB pitchers and catchers has arrived.

For the Cincinnati Reds, Thursday is the day players convene in their new spring training facility in Goodyear, Arizona. Position players are to report the following week.

Most of the roster has been decided—except for left field. As of now, the Reds certainly have options...but not good options.

Yet there remains a free agent out there that the Reds need to grab.

He's a guy that can play LF, hit for average and for power, and who actually wants to play for the Reds. He hit 20 home runs and batted .267 in roughly only a half-season of work in 2009—for the Reds.

He wasn't called up till the end of May and had to settle for pinch-hitting roles up until the final two months of the season—which coincidentally is when his numbers took off.

I am talking about the 30-year-old veteran Jonny Gomes.

“There’s a still a chance (with Gomes),” GM Walt Jocketty said over the weekend. “I don’t know how soon we can get it done. We’ve got to see how much opportunity for playing time is there, and we’ve got to work out with the payroll.”

The Reds need help on offense, and this is the guy that can provide it. Besides, check out the other available options.

Chris Dickerson

He is the front-runner heading into spring training. He hit .275 in 255 ABs last season while playing in 97 games. He has a solid OBP of .370 and has a decent glove (although he admits LF is his weakest spot in the outfield).

His main problem is his durability. He has battled injuries throughout his minor league career as well as his time with the Reds. If he stays healthy and plays 140-plus games, then the Reds will be all right. Odds aren't likely.

Laynce Nix

He was red-hot for a few weeks early last season and helped pick up the slack when Joey Votto was on the DL. But he slid down the depth chart once Gomes emerged after the All-Star break. He's got pop (15 HRs in 277 ABs), but he is awful against lefties. He hit a paltry .156 against them a year ago.

Wladimir Balentien

He played his way into the fold because he hit .264 in the 111 ABs he had late in the season with the Reds. He is out of options, so the Reds have to keep him on the 25-man roster. He had stud written all over him when the Seattle Mariners brought him up in 2007. But as a career .227 hitter, he hasn't lived up to the label placed on him only a few years ago.

There are also Juan Francisco, Aaron Miles, Chris Heisley, and newcomer Josh Anderson that will be available. But Miles is more of an infield backup, and the rest will all likely start 2010 in AAA.

Clearly the Reds' options in LF aren't exactly world-beaters, but Gomes has the power the Reds crave in their homer-friendly ballpark. Since Gomes still doesn't have a team, he will be cheaper than Valentine's Day candy in March.

Despite speculation on who the Reds might be interested in, Gomes is the only free agent the club is talking to.

“We’ve pretty much shut it down,” Jocketty said.

If that's the case, please oh please make this one final move. It bolsters the depth and power in the lineup, and he won't even make a dent in owner Bob Castellini's wallet.

The Redemer Strikes: Matt Jones Signs with Bengals...But No Pacman Yet

Same song and dance.

NFL free agency hasn't even begun, and the Cincinnati Bengals are already making moves.
Today they announced the signing of former Jacksonville wide receiver Matt Jones to a contract in what was first reported by ESPN. It is a one-year deal worth around $700,000.
He also had the Titans interested, but the Bengals ultimately won out.

It is a low risk, high reward-type move like the Cedric Benson and Tank Johnson signings. Both of those worked, so owner Mike Brown figured why not? He gave Chris Henry 1,496 chances and gave Odell Thurman plenty of chances—you know, the guy that got arrested for punching a dude at an amusement park.

The Jones addition doesn't mean they won't get a receiver in the draft or T.O. He's another body. He can probably be as productive as Laveranues Coles, and if he blows in training camp, they cut him. He's cheap, experienced, and is a former first round pick. He'll be 27 in April.
The move doesn't mean that the Bengals are Super Bowl-bound—but it's a start.

But that's not the only troubled Jones that is on the Bengals' radar. Numerous reports state that the one and only Adam "Pacman" Jones has worked out for the men in stripes. The poster boy for what's wrong with the league, Jones has a list of arrests even the Bengals would be impressed by. He has played in Canada and wrestled since his last stint in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys in 2008.

Mike Brown thinks he still has something left in the tank. Yes, the Bengals need a talented nickel defender who can return kickoffs and punts. He'll be available at a bargain bin discount. But he was awful for the Cowboys. He was outmuscled by receivers, and his height (5'11") is a big issue.
Then there is the whole "this guy was suspended for all of '07 and didn't play a single game in '09" deal. Sort of a big deal.

Why does this guy get so many chances? He only has four career INTs and has had major issues with fumbles on kick returns.

Because Brown loves being the redeemer. He loves being the guy that turns a troubled man's life around. It's the one thing the Bengals lead the league in.

I like the Matt Jones signing, but Pacman will bring a circus-like vibe to the Bengals. Mike Brown doesn't care. Cheap players + cheap owner + cheap franchise = the redeem team.

Stuck In Netural, First Place Cavs Need To Make a Move

With the All-Star break just around the corner, the NBA grind is over halfway completed.

Steam-rolling through the vast majority of the league, the Cavs are sitting pretty at 41-11. They are currently 22-3 at home and have ripped off 11 W’s in a row. They are rolling even without the services of two of the most important guards on the team: Delonte West and Mo Williams.

LeBron James has been…well he has been LeBron James. His second straight MVP award might be on the way as he has dominated to the tune of 29.8 PPG, just over seven rebounds and eight assists to go along with a career high in shooting percentage (50.4 percent) this season.

Daniel “Boobie” Gibson has filled in for the injured guards averaging over 12 points a game in the last eight games. He has taken over the offense and is looking like the 2007 playoffs version of himself.

Back then I thought he was destined for stardom as he hit big shot after big shot as the Cavs made it to their only ever NBA Finals appearance. Considering he’s only 23, he can be a big piece of the Cavs offense for not only this year but for the foreseeable future.

One guy that is not in the Cavs future plans is the “Big Aristotle,” or “Shaqtus,” or “Big Witness Protection,” Shaquille O’Neal.

He is averaging just a shade under 12 points and seven rebounds a game and is starting to finally feel comfortable in his new 23 minutes a night role. He is getting easy buckets off the pick-in-roll with LeBron and has held his own on the defensive end.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas has been with the team longer than any other player and he hasn’t created chemistry problems in the locker room due to his new role of coming off the bench and receiving less playing time. Now, he is some sort of a three-point specialist.

J.J Hickson is not making the offensive jump many expected from him this year. Scoring 7.2 points a game is underwhelming and he needs to show more if he expects to play key minutes in the playoffs.

The new guys Anthony Parker and Jamario Moon don’t do a whole lot for me or the Cavs. They are role players for a fourth of fifth-seeded team, but not the Cavs with their championship aspirations. Their contributions are minimal and certainly not vital for the Cavs to succeed.

So, just like last year, the Cavs are dominating yet are still missing something. This team added a 37-year-old Shaq to the playoff mix. Will he really be able to control the wild beast also known as Dwight Howard?

Can the much younger Cavs play smart enough to win in a seven game series against the heady cast of players in Boston? And what about the Hawks, whom have some terrific one-on-one scorers that get it done in crunch-time.

And these are just the hurdles in the Eastern Conference!

I don’t trust Mo Williams in the crunch time. Ditto for Moon and Parker. Shaq can’t play in close games due to his wonderfully awful free throw shooting. So what is going to happen when LeBron is double teamed and forced to pass? Hmmm, sounds like the same problem the Cavs had last year.

They need to unload Moon or Hickson and a guard to swoop in to steal a guy that is on the trading block because of financial reasons. Chris Bosh and Amare Stoudemire might be too much, but what about Caron Butler?

A proven crunch-time scorer that plays excellent defense as well. Or how about the Wizards’ other All-Star forward Antwan Jamison? He is a 20 point a game guy that has hit big time shots in the past. Each player can be had for less than their value as the Wizards cut their losses on a disastrous season.

Or what about Kevin Martin of the Kings. One of the league’s leading scorers lost his spot when he went out with an injury and super rookie Tyreke Evans took over. Andre Iguodala is available, as is Marcus Camby. Richard Jefferson hasn’t worked out for the Spurs and is looking for a trade. There are lots of options for the Cavs and what player doesn’t want to play with LeBron?

Last year, the Cavs thought they had enough to win a championship with the team they had and we all know how that worked out. The Cavs need another bona fide All-Star (sorry Mo—you aren’t) that wasn’t in the league when teams still wore short-shorts (sorry, Shaq).

This year, it’s the same exact situation. Don’t repeat history, Cleveland—this city has already been tortured enough. Find a guy that spreads the floor, plays strong post D, and can make a shot in the clutch. Who knows…maybe this year affects the next 10-plus years of the franchise. No pressure, Dan Gilbert!

Goofy Super Bowl Prop Bet Predictions

The Colts are favored to win Super Sunday by six points on Sunday. I'll take the Saints to cover but Indy to win 31-27.

But the far more exciting bets to keep track of hardly include the action on the field. The phrase "prop bet" is just that—a proposition bet on events that may or may not directly relate to the final score of a game. These bets have been popularized in the past 10 years or so and the Super Bowl has the most options to bet on. You can bet on practically everything over the four hour span.

Check out the value of some of these prop bets:

How many current NFL Players will be arrested during Super Bowl Week?

Over/Under 0.5

No Barrett Robbins or Eugene Robinson's here. In 2010, players know the insanely bright lights and intense media microscope are nothing to mess with. And the strong veteran leadership of both teams help as well.

How Many Times will CBS show Kim Kardashian on TV during the Game?

Over/Under 2.5

This all depends on what Reggie Bush does on the field. If he scores a TD, she will be shown. Ditto if he has a long punt return. Considering CBS will most likely show her early in the game anyways...I think the over is a safe bet.

How Many Times will CBS show Bourbon Street on TV during the Game?

Over/Under 2

FOX showed Bourbon St. three times in the fourth quarter of the NFC Championship game, so I think this is another easy over. Especially if the Saints get an early lead.

Will a member of the Who smash a guitar on stage during the halftime show?

Yes +120 No -150

Rock 'n roll and the Super Bowl? Combine the two and there should be enough energy pumping to have at least one guitar fall casualty to. Who cares how old the band is.

HISTORICAL MATCHUPS:

Total Rushing Yards, which will be higher?

Joseph Addai Sunday +175 Addai Super Bowl XLI (77 Rushing Yards) -215

Addai had 77 yards back in the '07 Super Bowl and the running game has been a smaller piece of the Colts offense in the three years since. That's the crazy thing about the Colts, they aren't balanced offensively at all, yet it doesn't even matter. I'll take under 77 yards for Addai.

Total Passing Yards, which will be higher?

Drew Brees Sunday +120 Dan Marino Super Bowl XIX (318 Passing Yards) -150

Is Vegas predicting a Marino-like performance out of Brees? Great individualy—but not good enough to get a ring? Maybe, but I do think that the Saints deep ball threat opens up enough space for him to achieve the gaudy numbers. Racking up 319 passing yards is well within his reach—especially if Dwight Freeney is a no-go.

What Color will the Gatorade be that is dumped on the Head Coach of the Winning Super Bowl Team?

Yellow 1/1 Clear/Water 7/5 Orange 4/1 Lime Green 5/1 Red 12/1 Blue 12/1

Take the second best choice with the bigger payout. Yellow is the most common Gatorade dumped on the winning coach, but orange isn't too far behind. Nick Saban had red dumped on him with Alabama's title in Jan. Is this a new trend? Stain the crap out of your coaches clothes? At 12/1, odds are it was a fluke.

What side of the ball will the Players that perform the Gatorade Shower be from?

Offensive +140 Defensive -170

This one depends on the team that wins. I can envision the Colts running the clock out with its offense on the field in the final minutes. This means the D is in charge. But the Saints will have won on a last second Manning INT so the offense will be drenching their coach. Tough pick.

Will they show clothing apparel proclaiming the Super Bowl Champion before the final whistle?

Yes -130 No Even

Easy. Unless the game comes down to the final play, the camera will get a shot of a brand new Super Bowl champs hat on at least one player. I feel like this happens every year, which does make me a little skeptical of the odds. Maybe they have a new policy of not showing the champ apparel til when the clock hits zero. Hmmmm never know what's up Vegas' sleeve...

Who will the Super Bowl MVP of the Game thank first?

God 4/5 Teammates 8/5 Does not thank anyone 4/1 Family 11/2 Coach 10/1

Since a QB is most likely to win this, you need to look at Manning and Brees' personality. Both don't mention God a whole lot. Family is usually mentioned, but not first. Ditto for the coaches. Since both QB's and their teams in general are very team oriented, I'm taking teammates.

As you can see the betting world cares about the insanely stupid and minute occurrences in the biggest game of the year almost as much as the game itself. This is only a small sample size of the vast amount of prop bets for Sunday. Just remember, winning an under dog prop bet is just as rewarding in the wallet as a bet on the spread of the game. But which one do you think Vegas puts more time into figuring out and perfecting????