Month: July 2008 (Page 4 of 39)

      Wednesday MLB Headliners: Cubs making statement

      July 30, 2008 /

      – For the second night in a row, the Chicago Cubs knocked off division rival Milwaukee. The Cubs got a tremendous start from ace Carlos Zambrano as Zambo gave up no runs on five hits and struck out nine over eight innings of work in Chicago’s 7-1 win. The Brewers’ Ben Sheets (10-4) got lit up in the sixth inning as the Cubs put a five-spot on the board. With the win, Chicago now has a three game lead in the NL Central.

      – Tampa Bay’s Matt Garza pitched his first career complete-game shutout as the Rays topped the Toronto Blue Jays 3-0. Garza gave up no runs on five hits and struck out five, while Eric Hinske (HR in 3rd) and Evan Longoria (two-run triple in 8th) provided the offense.

      – With the Rays’ win, the Red Sox fell two games back in the AL East as they continue to struggle with the Los Angeles Angels. The Halos got a masterful performance out of John Lackey, who held Boston to two runs on two hits while going the distance in a 6-2 victory. He took a no-hit bid into the ninth when Dustin Pedroia hit a one-out single. The Angels are now 7-1 against the Red Sox this season and just added former Braves’ first basemen Mark Teixiera to the lineup.

      – While Boston can’t figure out Los Angeles, the Yankees continue to struggle against the last place Orioles. While New York rallied for five runs in the final two innings Tuesday, it wasn’t enough as Baltimore knocked off the Bronx Bombers 7-6. Daniel Cabrera picked up his seventh win of the year, while Darrell Rasner continues to struggle at 5-8. Alex Rodriguez did hit his 22nd dinger of the year, but he Yanks have now fallen four games back in the division.

      MLB

      Ron Artest headed to Houston

      July 30, 2008 /

      First, he decided not to opt out.

      Then he regretted not opting out.

      Now Ron Artest is heading to Houston.

      NBA front-office sources confirmed to ESPN.com that Artest will be dealt to the Rockets in exchange for Houston’s first-round draft pick in 2009, ex-King Bobby Jackson (who arrives with a $6.1 million expiring contract) and the draft rights to Donte Greene. The Kings will also receive more than $1 million in cash, according to The Houston Chronicle, but the deal can’t be announced before Aug. 14 because Greene is not eligible to be traded before then.

      If Artest had opted out, the Kings wouldn’t have received anything for him, so his mistake was their good fortune. Now they’ll get a nice prospect in Greene along with a 2009 first round draft pick as compensation. That’s the way to rebuild.

      On the flip side, Houston seems like an odd fit for Artest. Two of their best players – Tracy McGrady and Shane Battier – are really small forwards, and now the team is adding a third. The Rockets can play McGrady at off guard, Artest at small forward and Battier at power forward. Defensively, Artest and Battier will provide a formidable 1-2 punch at forward.

      Fantasy Basketball, NBA, NBA Draft, Rumors & Gossip

      Angels trade for Braves’ Mark Teixeira

      July 29, 2008 /

      ESPN.com’s Keith Law reports the Los Angeles Angels have traded for Atlanta Braves’ first basemen Mark Teixeira. The Braves acquire Casey Kotchman and minor league pitcher Stephen Marek in the deal.

      Kotchman was pulled off the field during pregame warmups at Fenway Park on Tuesday afternoon, further fueling speculation that a deal was in place.

      Teixeira was traded to the Braves from the Texas Rangers in a deadline deal last season, but he is in the last year of his contract. With Atlanta falling out of contention, it seemed logical that the team would try to move him.

      The switch-hitting Teixeira is batting .283 with 20 home runs and 78 RBIs this season.
      Kotchman, who is known as much for his defense at first base as his bat, is batting .287 with 12 homers and 54 RBIs for the first-place Angels.

      Some consider Teixeira overrated, but there’s no doubt he gives the Angels’ lineup another quality bat. L.A. had to give up one of their top minor league pitching prospects in Marek and a 25-year old developing talent in Kotchman, but by adding Teixeira they may be the odds on favorites to win the World Series. (Especially considering how they’ve dominated the Red Sox this year.)

      MLB

      Report: Dodgers, Red Sox talking Manny Ramirez trade

      July 29, 2008 /

      The New York Post is reporting that the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox are talking about a trade that would send Manny Ramirez and cash to L.A. in exchange for either Matt Kemp or Andre Ethier. The Post also believes that if Boston unloads Ramirez, the club would likely make a move for Mark Teixeria of the Braves.

      The Mets have continued to talk to the Red Sox without much possibility of finding a deal for Ramirez. The main track now involves the Dodgers. An executive who has spoken with officials from an involved team said it is his understanding that Boston would eat most, if not all, of the roughly $7 million left on Ramirez’s 2008 contract and in exchange would receive a top youngster such as Matt Kemp or Andre Ethier.

      The Red Sox would then have another deal in place to obtain Teixeira, who like Ramirez is a Scott Boras client who can be a free agent at the end of the season. The Red Sox would view the overall switch-hitting offense/Gold Glove defense package of Teixeira combined with the removal of the Manny being Manny soap opera as a plus for this season. In addition, they would get an insider two-month look at Teixeira to determine if they want to make a strong, long-term bid on him or simply offset what they give up now to get him by getting two draft picks when he signs elsewhere this winter.

      While it seems foolish that the Red Sox would trade one of the best players and eat most of his salary, landing Kemp would be huge. He’s 13 years younger than Manny, hits for average and can run exceptionally well for a guy that is 6-2 and 230 pounds. Kemp might not develop into the power hitter Ramirez is, but he’s an exceptional player and surely the Sox are hoping to land him over Ethier.

      MLB, Rumors & Gossip

      MLB Trade Market Report

      July 29, 2008 /

      SI.com’s Jon Heyman breaks down the latest rumblings in MLB as the July 31st trade deadline rapidly approaches.

      1. Mark Teixeira, Braves 1B. With the Braves fading and most of their other stars hobbled, they appear all but certain to find a new home for the switch-hitting star on the cusp of free agency. It appears that the offensively-challenged Diamondbacks could be the leaders, with the Rays waiting to pounce if Arizona can’t cut a deal. The smart money’s on the D’backs, who have already offered Chad Tracy as part of a package. The Angels, Dodgers and Red Sox appear to be the other main players.

      2.Manny Ramirez, Red Sox, OF. Boston is now talking to the Dodgers and a couple other teams. However, most believe it will be nearly impossible for the Red Sox to trade Ramirez without hindering their World Series chances.

      Am I on the only one the least bit shocked that the Braves have fared so poorly this year? It’s amazing to think that they gave up their best hitting prospect in Jared Saltalamacchia to acquire Teixeira at the deadline last year, only to turn around and trade Teixeira this season.

      And it’s going to be fun to watch the chess match continue between Ramirez and the Red Sox. As Heyman points out, you don’t trade away one of your best power hitters and expect not to take a step back. But still, the situation continues to escalade and it’s time for Boston to either crap or get off the pot with Manny.

      MLB, Rumors & Gossip

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