SB Nation Arizona: All Posts by Steve Uhlmannhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46593/arizona-fave.png2013-01-01T09:18:56-07:00https://arizona.sbnation.com/authors/steve-uhlmann/rss2013-01-01T09:18:56-07:002013-01-01T09:18:56-07:00Upton being dealt to Boston unlikely
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<figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Rumors that the superstar outfielder may be traded to Boston are probably not coming to fruition. </p> <p>The trade rumors surrounding <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Arizona Diamondbacks</a> outfielder <span>Justin Upton</span> continue to swirl during the offseason, with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Boston Red Sox</a> being one of the rumored teams in on him.</p>
<p>The idea that Upton could be on his way to Boston for the 2013 season is not a sound one, however, as <a href="http://bostonglobe.com/sports/2012/12/30/the-best-rosters-baseball-heading-into/LPjnjLEjn7zQNOvL51SjaI/story.html">The Boston Globe reports </a>that the two teams are probably not going to be a good match to pull off a trade. </p>
<p>A big reason for this is that the Red Sox would most likely have to part with prospects such as Xander Bogaerts and Jackie Bradley Jr. With Boston ready to undergo a transition, they may want to hold on to younger players rather than gamble on Upton.</p>
<p>Upton's price is still considered high despite a down year in 2012. He hit .280 with just 17 HR and 67 RBI. That is far below his career averages of 24 home runs and 80 RBI per year. </p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/2013/1/1/3824492/justin-upton-trade-rumors-red-sox-diamondbacksSteve Uhlmann2013-01-01T08:37:36-07:002013-01-01T08:37:36-07:00Ross' dislike of RF could be why he left Boston
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<figcaption>Joy R. Absalon-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Cody Ross has made no secret that he doesn't like to play right field. Could it be the reason why he didn't resign with the Boston Red Sox?</p> <p><span>Cody Ross</span> signed with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Arizona Diamondbacks</a> recently, and the team is most likely going to make him their starting center fielder.</p>
<p>What's interesting about that, as <a href="http://bostonglobe.com/sports/2012/12/30/the-best-rosters-baseball-heading-into/LPjnjLEjn7zQNOvL51SjaI/story.html">The Boston Globe reports</a>, is that Ross expressed his preference of playing center field over right field, the position he would have most likely been playing had he stayed in Boston.</p>
<p>At his introductory press conference in Arizona, Ross made it no secret that right field is his least favorite position to play, despite the fact that he plays it well. The Globe feels that it could be a reason why Boston only offered him two years, which wound up with them losing a bidding war to the Diamondbacks.</p>
<p>Last year, Ross hit .267 with 22 HR and 81 RBI for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Red Sox</a>. He has hit .262 during his nine-year MLB career where he has averaged 22 HR and 83 RBI per season.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/2013/1/1/3824388/cody-ross-diamondbacks-red-soxSteve Uhlmann2012-12-22T10:50:14-07:002012-12-22T10:50:14-07:00Nunez sent back to Detroit
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<figcaption>Christian Petersen</figcaption>
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<p>Gustavo Nunez, who the Diamonbacks claimed off waivers in October, was returned to the Detroit Tigers.</p> <p><span>Gustavo Nunez's</span> time with the <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Diamondbacks</a> was short lived, as the team <a href="http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/12/outrighted-to-triple-a-miller-beato-nunez-pearce.html" target="_blank">outrighted the shortstop</a> to the Triple-A affiliate of the <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Tigers</a>, the Toledo Mud Hens.</p>
<p>Nunez was claimed off waivers by Arizona on October 26; however, they sent him to the Tigers Friday after not wanting him to be a part of the roster.</p>
<p>He spent the 2012 season with the <a href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pittsburgh Pirates</a>, but he was sidelined for much of the year due to ankle surgery. Nunez was a Rule 5 selection by the Pirates in 2011. He was a member of the Tigers organization from 2007 until when the Pirates claimed him in the draft.</p>
<p>The 24-year old has spent six seasons in the minor leagues, where he has accumulated a batting average of .284 and 13 career home runs. Nunez's defense has been suspect, as he has committed more than 100 errors in his minor league career.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/2012/12/22/3795414/arizona-diamondbacks-outright-ss-to-detroit-tigers-triple-a-teamSteve Uhlmann2012-12-22T10:25:34-07:002012-12-22T10:25:34-07:00Three players crack preseason All-America list
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<figcaption>Bruce Thorson-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Twelve players from the Pac-12 have made the list of Louisville Slugger preseason All-Americans including three players from this region. </p> <p>The list of 2013 Louisville Slugger Preseason All Americans is full of Pac-12 players, including Arizona State pitcher Trevor Williams being a preseason first-team selection. A pair of Arizona Wildcats, pitcher Konner Wade and outfielder Johnny Field, were named to the preseason second-team.</p>
<p>Williams, a second-team Louisville Slugger All-American in 2012, led the Pac-12 with an ERA of 2.05 and was tied for first in Division I with 12 wins. The junior will anchor the Sun Devil rotation in 2013.</p>
<p>Konner Wade had a phenomenal sophomore season in 2012 where he went 11-3, including a 4-0 mark and 1.29 ERA in postseason play. He has a career 3.73 ERA in two seasons of play.</p>
<p>Finally, Johnny Field will once again look to pace the Wildcat offense. He led Pac-12 batters with an on-base percentage of .476 and hit .370 while collecting a team-leading 72 runs scored. He stole 11 bases and knocked in 44 runs during Arizona's championship campaign.</p>
<p>For a full list of Louisville Slugger preseason All-Americans, visit <a href="http://www.baseballnews.com">www.baseballnews.com</a>.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/2012/12/22/3795328/louisville-slugger-preseason-all-americans-trevor-williams-konner-wade-johnny-fieldSteve Uhlmann2012-12-22T09:27:18-07:002012-12-22T09:27:18-07:00Premiere punt returners to face off
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<figcaption>Christian Petersen</figcaption>
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<p>Patrick Peterson of the Arizona Cardinals and Devin Hester of the Chicago Bears will both take their electric talents to the field at University of Phoenix Stadium Sunday.</p> <p>Those who are fans of exciting punt returns will want to tune in to Sunday's contest between the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a>. </p>
<p>As the Cardinal's <a href="http://blog.azcardinals.com/2012/12/21/punt-return-royalty-seeks-to-regain-shine/">team blog writes</a>, two of the league's premier return men will be in action between Arizona's <span>Patrick Peterson</span> and Chicago's <span>Devin Hester</span>.</p>
<p>Peterson and Hester are two of four players in NFL history to return four or more punts for touchdowns in a single season. Despite their past, both have not had explosive 2012 seasons. </p>
<p>Hester is averaging just nine yards per return, well below his career average of 12.3 yards. Peterson has also been slowed, averaging just 8.6 yards per punt return and has lost three fumbles. Hester and Peterson are both currently without touchdowns this season, but that could change quickly. </p>
<p>Even though Peterson has been without a big return in 2012, he is making sure it does not affect the rest of his game.</p>
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<p>"It doesn't bother me," Peterson said. "At the end of the day the Arizona Cardinals drafted me to be a defensive back. The punt returns are a plus. When my opportunities comes, I will try my best and I want to break one."</p>
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<p>Kickoff between the Cardinals and Bears is scheduled for 2:25 MST.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/2012/12/22/3795170/devin-hester-patrick-peterson-arizona-cardinalsSteve Uhlmann2012-12-22T09:00:08-07:002012-12-22T09:00:08-07:00Gillespie signs with Giants
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<figcaption>Christian Petersen</figcaption>
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<p>After spending four years in the Diamondbacks system, the minor league journeyman has been signed by the San Francisco Giants</p> <p>After playing in just 50 major league games in four years in the desert, 28-year old outfielder Cole Gillespie has been <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/eddymk/status/282278095929614336">signed by the San Francisco Giants</a>.</p>
<p>Gillespie has fit the bill of a typical minor league journeyman, as he has spent the bulk of his career since 2009 in Triple-A. Last season, he hit .308 with 13 HR and 66 RBI with the Reno Aces. He has been known for his great plate discipline, as evidenced by his .390 on-base percentage last year. His major league career has not gone as well, as he has hit just .236 with three home runs and 16 RBI in just 110 career at bats.</p>
<p>He was originally drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the third round of the 2006 draft, and came over to the Arizona Diamondbacks in a deal that sent Felipe Lopez to the Brewers in 2009 shortly before the trading deadline.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/2012/12/22/3795120/cole-gillespie-diamondbacks-giantsSteve Uhlmann2012-12-22T08:39:58-07:002012-12-22T08:39:58-07:00Suns struggle to draw fans
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<figcaption>Christian Petersen</figcaption>
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<p>A lack of star power and a mediocre record has caused attendance to drop at US Airways Center. </p> <p>The last few years have not been kind to <a href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Phoenix Suns</a> fans, which is showing in the team's sharp drop off in attendance.</p>
<p>An article written by the Dave King over at Bright Side of the Sun <a href="http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2012/12/21/3791558/nba-phoenix-suns-attendance-at-all-time-low-for-us-airways-arena">explores why</a> attendance has fallen to one of the lowest rates in the history of the the US Airways Center.</p>
<p>One reason that the Suns have dropped to 24th in NBA attendance, King explains, could be the lack of stars on the team.</p>
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<p>The team lacks a supernova star to attract fans just on the chance to watch him play live. Michael Jordan once said that <span>Steve Nash</span> was one of the few NBA players he would pay to watch take the court. The Suns don't have anyone like Steve Nash.</p>
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<p>Another explanation for the early attendance woes could be the stranglehold that the NFL and college football has on sports fans across the country. The team expects to have a rebound in attendance once those seasons end.</p>
<p>In the meantime, the Suns ticket department has been at work coming up with creative ways to familiarize fans with the new-look Suns. One promotion included a Satisfaction Guaranteed Night where the team would refund the money of any fan not completely happy with their experience during a home game.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/2012/12/22/3795066/phoenix-suns-attendance-2012Steve Uhlmann2012-06-18T10:34:55-07:002012-06-18T10:34:55-07:00NBA Mock Draft 2012: Phoenix Suns May Take Jeremy Lamb According To Latest Prediction
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<p>The NBA mock draft results continue to pour in as the date for the 2012 NBA Draft draws closer. The latest to put out their predictions is Sheridan Hoops, who have the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/">Phoenix Suns</a> taking Connecticut shooting guard Jeremy Lamb with the 13th overall selection in the draft.</p>
<p>Staff writer Joe Kotoch notes the potential need for perimeter players in the desert, especially if the post-Nash era begins next season.</p>
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<p>"Lamb is a long, athletic, scoring guard that can fill it up on offense. The Suns who might be starting the post-Nash era next season would be wise to find help on the perimeter. Lamb would also provide the Suns with an aggressive wing defender." </p>
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<p>It is worth noting however there is not a whole lot on Lamb's performance during pre-draft workouts, as he suffered an ankle injury last week while playing in front of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.raptorshq.com/">Toronto Raptors</a> scouts and had to cancel a workout with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/">Portland Trail Blazers</a>. </p>
<p><i>For more on the Suns and their draft plans, be sure to check out </i><a href="http://brightsideofthesun.com/" target="_blank">Bright Side of the Sun.</a> <i>Still not enough basketball for you? The </i><a href="http://sbnation.com/nba">SB Nation NBA Hub Page</a><i> has news from all 30 teams including complete coverage of the 2012 NBA Finals. </i></p>
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https://arizona.sbnation.com/phoenix-suns/2012/6/18/3094963/nba-mock-draft-2012-phoenix-suns-jeremy-lamb-latest-predictionsSteve Uhlmann2012-06-18T10:14:58-07:002012-06-18T10:14:58-07:00Arizona Basketball: Sean Miller Agrees To Contract Extension Through 2016-2017
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<p>Sean Miller's contract as head coach of the Arizona Wildcats men's basketball team has been extended through the 2016-2017 season. </p> <p>The University of Arizona Board of Regents has approved a motion that would allow the extension of men's basketball head coach Sean Miller through the 2016-2017 season.</p>
<p>Miller, who won the 2011 Pac-12 Coach of the Year award, has provided plenty of excitement for the 2012-2013 season, bringing in one of the nation's top recruiting classes for a team that is expected to be in the preseason top-25. </p>
<p>In three seasons with Arizona, Miller has led the Wildcats to a record of 69-35, in addition to a league title and Elite Eight appearance in 2011. His career record as a head coach is 188-82.</p>
<p><i>For more on the University of Arizona men's basketball team, make sure to visit </i><a href="http://www.arizonadesertswarm.com">Arizona Desert Swarm</a><i>. Still not enough college basketball for you? Make sure to head over to the </i><a href="http://sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball">NCAA Basketball hub page</a><i> for all the latest news and analysis from across the country all throughout the offseason. </i></p>
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https://arizona.sbnation.com/2012/6/18/3094911/arizona-basketball-sean-miller-contract-extensionSteve Uhlmann