This and that

• Hairston update: The Reds have reached an agreement with free-agent infielder/outfielder Jerry Hairston Jr. on a one-year deal worth a guaranteed $2 million.

More surprising was that MLB.com initially reported Hairston is expected to become the Reds' new everyday shortstop with the Reds still concerned about Alex Gonzalez's health.

Wednesday evening's story on MLB.com included the following: Despite a source telling MLB.com on Tuesday that Hairston would become the everyday shortstop in 2009 because Alex Gonzalez wouldn't be ready, Jocketty said that Gonzalez is still be counted on as the regular shortstop.

So Mark Sheldon is sticking with his story that a source told him essentially that Gonzalez won't be ready for the start of the season and Hairston will fill that void. But Jocketty is saying he's under the impression that Gonzalez is still on track.

Guess we'll find out for sure in a few weeks.

• Also, Jocketty told MLB.com that Pat Burrell got half of what he was looking for when he signed his two-year, $16 million deal with the Rays. Story also mentions that interest in Rocco Baldelli remains.

• Mick Cronin and the Bearcats are pretty excited about adding Ibrahima Thomas, a transfer from Oklahoma State. Story on gobearcats.com has some details, good quotes from Cronin. As a freshman, he scored 17 in the first half against Texas. Clearly there's some talent there.

Apparently he considered returning to Senegal after he decided to leave Oklahoma State.

• Yes, Dayton and Miami University were really tied at 17 at the half in the Flyers' 45-40 win at UD Arena last night. You've got to love it when you can shoot 32 percent from the field and get a win. And yet again, Dayton is 14-1 with very few people outside the Gem City even realizing it. And keep in mind they went to the Chicago Invitational Challenge and beat Auburn before handing Marquette (yes, the same Marquette team that just drilled UC) a 14-point loss.

• Another day, another NBA item in the Pick 6! You bet I will after David West dropped a 40-spot (matching his career high) in the Hornets' win against the Lakers. Dimemag.com offers a quick tribute to West.

• And former Ohio State star Greg Oden has been written and talked about quite a bit lately, but SI.com's Ian Thomsen has a piece that's worth reading about how he admires the way Oden is handling himself. He says Oden is a No. 1 pick who doesn't feel entitled, quite a contrast to the recent piece from The Oregonian's John Canzano about the Oden Rules (referred to in the Pick 6 post from Dec. 30).

No non-local link today ... I looked but not seeing anything.