Paul Daugherty, whom I am a middle-of-the-road type of fan, actually wrote a great line
today on his blog about the Reds and Dickerson. To summarize the blog, he 
basically said that Jocketty is going to have some sleepless nights thanks 
to the way Dickerson is playing. And how that affects the offseason. Do they 
look to trade Bronson for a big bat? His stock is as high as it will get. 
 
In the end, this way the key comment. "The Red's offseason will be more 
exciting than the season." 
How true that is.

Personal thoughts on this - Bronson isn't going anywhere.  An innings eater 
that is finally becoming more consistent.  I think Jocketty knows well 
enough that pitching is the foundation for winning.  To date, you have four 
solid starters, where two of them should only get better next year.  You 
have a pipeline of young talent in the system to fill in as someone gets 
injured.  You try to collect another bat or two, specifically on the left 
side of infield and CF via free agency and when you are one peice away to 
put you over that hump, you then trade a prospect for that last peice.  I 
just don't see Jocketty giving away vital peices in the offseason just yet.

I like Hairston and Keppinger, but what happens when Alex Gonzales comes back
next year healthy?  I would put money down that he will get the starting nod at
SS.  3B is more of what I was referring to, just because EE is so streaky, Kepp
is someone you don't want to leave out of line-up, but since his injury, he
hasn't fully returned to the form he used to be in.  Hairston would be great in
CF, and maybe be your leadoff hitter, with Dickerson batting 2nd, but I have a
feeling they will not want to rely on Hairston as a full-time position player,
with injury history.

This comes from a friend of mine's email that I highly respect and agree with 95% of the time.

Since I am bored and have nothing to do, here is how I view the major sports programs in our area and whether I would buy or sell their stock:
 
Buy, Buy, Buy
Cincinnati Reds
 
Yes, I know it is early and this may sound like "drinking the kool-aid" talk, but hear me out.  For the first time in I don't know how long, the Reds actually have the players intact to maybe not win this year, but be highly competitive for the next five.  They have two of the best young arms in baseball with Cueto and Volquez.  They just aren't high prospects, but they have nasty stuff that can deliver now.  Homer Bailey is in AAA and given time to develop.  Aaron Harang is a bona fide number one starter.  Francisco Cordero is by no means the league's best closer, but who better to help out the young Latin players?  Bill Bray and Jared Burton are real deal relievers.  Joey Votto and Jay Bruce are a great young one to punch and don't need to be thrown into the fire because they have decent veterans alongside.  Adam Dunn (yes, Adam Dunn) should be signed to a long term deal.  Brandon Phillips is the new 'Face of the Franchise.'  The guys can ball, and the division is weak.  500 this year, contention the next five (at least).  What I find funny is that almost all the guys mentioned above were added to the organization under much battered GM Dan O'Brien.
 
Buy with Caution
Xavier Musketeers
 
The little program that could is not little anymore.  They are the only non-BCS school to have a Top 20 program in terms of longevity, marketing, and money (based on some princeton review statistic).  They have a great recruiting class coming in.  THey have made two Elite 8s that past five years.  They have a good coach.  Why not be more estatic?  Two factors.  First, their conference is killing them.  They are not Memphis, so they can't afford to play in the A10, but there is nowhere for them to go.  Second, I worry about coaching stability.  Yes, it looks as though Miller will be back next year because IU is full and he doesn't want Marquette, but XU will not be a power team until they can retain their coach.  The litmus test will be if the Pitt job ever opens, will Miller take it?
 
Cincinnati Bearcat Football
Although they had arguably the best season in school history and now have a major conference affiliation, there are some questions marks.  First, Brian Kelley won with another guys players.  Let's see how he gets recruits to play at Cincinnati.  Second, the schedule for UC next year is brutal and could bring them back to Earth.  Third, Brian Kelley is less stable than Sean Miller.  Something tells me he will bite at the first huge job that comes his way.  Other than that, I am very happy to see the city finally get behind their college football team.  It's a bit ridiculous that a passionate sports town like Cincinnati had basically abandoned this team.
 
Hold
Cincinnati Bearcat Basketball
 
I like Mick Cronin.  He comes from good coaching genes and has learned from two of the greatest college coaches of our era.  But his players quit on him this year.  They went from a feel good story to a laughing stock in just a few games.  There are some big recruits coming in, so it will be interesting to see what this season will bring.  But, based on where they were, don't sell this team yet.
 
Sell, Sell, Sell
Cincinnati Bengals
 
What a total and absolute joke this team has become (again).  I said it here first and I will say it again.  This team has gone as far as Marvin can take it.  Thank you for taking us out of the doldrums.  Now get us someone who can get us back to the 80s again.  The wide receiving corps is all but depleted, and since it seemed strong it has been ignored in the past drafts.  The offensive line is a mix of too old and too inexperienced.  They say they are going to run next year, but how?  With 76 year old Willie Anderson?  With an over 30 running back?  With two early picks who can't stay healthy?  And who is Carson going to thrown to now?  Mark my words, I don't think TJ is happy, either.  For all of you who wnt to hold onto that 2005 AFC North Division Championship, fell free.  But this is Marvin's sixth year.  Do you now how many teams have made the playoffs in the past five years?  Well, I don't either, but it is enough to say that one playoff appearance (and one winning record) win five years is NOT progress.