Dickerson wants LF spot

Chris Dickerson is part of a crowded mix of players vying for the left field vacancy. He was not intimidated by the competition and feels his chances are good.

“What’s the point in coming out if you don’t feel like you’re going to win the spot?” Dickerson said. ”I don’t come out here to sit on the bench.”

Dickerson has a lot of reasons to feel confident. After his August call-up, he batted .304 with six homers and 15 RBIs in 31 games after he was a .260 hitter in 622 Minor League games.

“The fact that you did it, your confidence level rises,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “You think you belong here. He’s always had the ability. Everybody was trying to figure out when he was going to put it together.”

Baker still wasn’t ready to hand left field to Dickerson. The Reds also re-signed Jerry Hairston Jr. and added Jonny Gomes and Jacque Jones as non-roster players.

“Is that enough to make him the left fielder on what he did last year?” Baker said. “It’s a combination of not enough yet but on the way. You need some more if you’re going to win.”

What do you think — should Dickerson have the inside track in left field based on last season?