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| San Diego Padres 2009 Preview |
MLB Baseball |
04/01/2009 |
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| 8 ERA in 74 relief appearances in 2008. Bell is a far cry from Hoffman and the Padres will suffer without their top closer. It didn't help the starting staff either that ace and 2007 NL Cy Young Award winner Jake Peavy was rumored to be dealt to the Chicago Cubs. Padres general manager Kevin Towers couldn't pull the trigger on the deal and is left with Peavy, who led the team in wins (10), ERA (2.85) and strikeouts (166) last season. In 27 starts a year ago, the right-hander went 10-11 with one complete gam |
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| Chicago Cubs 2009 Preview |
MLB Baseball |
03/31/2009 |
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| Philadelphia, PA (MySportsbook) - "Wait 'til next year." It's a phrase the devoted fan base of the Chicago Cubs has been muttering for generations in regards to its beloved but star-crossed franchise, an expression as common as the team's seemingly never-ending reign of failure during the early fall months. Last year was supposed to be THE year for the Cubs, and appeared so as well after the North Siders steamrolled the competition through the regular season to lead the National League with 97 wins. The |
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| Texas Rangers 2009 Preview |
MLB Baseball |
03/31/2009 |
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| s in the Home Run Derby which precedes the event. Hamilton was an MVP candidate all season, as was second baseman Ian Kinsler until his season was cut short due to hernia surgery. The lineup will miss the volatile Milton Bradley, who signed with the Chicago Cubs as a free agent, but the team is expecting big things from right fielder Nelson Cruz. Below we take a capsule look at the 2008 edition of the Texas Rangers, with a personnel evaluation and prognosis included therein: 2008 FINISH (79-83) - Second Pla |
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| Cincinnati Reds 2009 Preview |
MLB Baseball |
03/31/2009 |
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| t, though he's struggled mightily with the bat this spring. Also available for spot infield duty is lefty-swinging Laynce Nix. OUTLOOK Improved or not, it's a difficult road for the team formerly known as the Reds. Last year's division champion, the Chicago Cubs, are widely expected to contend for a World Series title, while the Central is also home to the 2008 NL wild card Milwaukee Brewers. Aside from that, it's the Cardinals, Astros and Pirates in a race for respectability. Truth told, long-suffering fan |
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| St. Louis Cardinals 2009 Preview |
MLB Baseball |
03/31/2009 |
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| mer Cy Young Award winner Chris Carpenter and developing ace Adam Wainwright. Both have been healthy and throwing well during the spring, which would give St. Louis the one-two punch it needs in the rotation in order to seriously challenge the rival Chicago Cubs for supremacy in the NL's Central Division. There still are a few other issues to resolve, such as how well Schumaker handles a switch from the outfield to second base and finding an effective closer to emerge in the bullpen, the Cardinals' Achilles |
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| Cleveland Indians 2009 Preview |
MLB Baseball |
03/30/2009 |
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| Fausto Carmona (RHP); Carl Pavano (RHP); Scott Lewis (LHP); Anthony Reyes (RHP) PROJECTED CLOSER: Kerry Wood (RHP) MANAGER: Eric Wedge INFIELD The Indians addressed a glaring need early this offseason when they acquired the versatile DeRosa from the Chicago Cubs. DeRosa, who has been primarily a second baseman for his career, will play third for Cleveland, allowing Johnny Peralta to remain at short and Asdrubal Cabrera to play second. DeRosa, who can also play the outfield, had a banner 2008 season with the |
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| Philadelphia Phillies 2009 Preview |
MLB Baseball |
03/30/2009 |
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| ERA), who emerged as a key setup man late last season. Scott Eyre, meanwhile, becomes the primary left-handed man out of the pen while Romero is out. Eyre went 3-0 with a 1.88 ERA in 19 games with the Phillies after coming over last season from the Chicago Cubs. The Phillies managed to acquire a second left-handed pitcher in late March, getting Jack Taschner from the Giants in exchange for catcher Ronny Paulino. Chad Durbin (5-4, 2.87 ERA) pitched in 71 games of relief last year for the Phils and returns t |
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| Rockies option three to minors |
MLB Baseball |
03/30/2009 |
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| iday trade. Along with Murton, Smith and Gonzalez all being sent to Triple-A Colorado Springs, catchers Edwin Bellorin and Paul Phillips and left-handed pitcher Randy Flores were all reassigned to minor league camp. Murton split last season with the Chicago Cubs and Oakland Athletics, as he was part of the deal that sent pitcher Rich Harden to the Cubs. In nine games with the A's after the deal, Murton hit .129 with two runs batted in. The 27-year-old is a career .288 batter with 28 homers and 106 RBI in 31 |
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| Cubs release Bako and Stanton |
MLB Baseball |
03/30/2009 |
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| Mesa, AZ (MySportsbook) - The Chicago Cubs made a pair of roster moves on Monday, releasing both catcher Paul Bako and relief pitcher Mike Stanton. Bako signed with the Cubs in late January after spending last season with Cincinnati. He set career highs with six homers, 35 runs batted in and 30 runs scored while hitting just .217 in 99 games with the Reds. An 11-year veteran, Bako is a career .231 hitter, totaling 21 homers, 186 RBI and 183 runs scored over 745 games. That includes a stint with the Cubs |
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| Orioles place P Hill on DL |
MLB Baseball |
03/29/2009 |
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| ort Lauderdale, FL (MySportsbook) - Baltimore Orioles pitcher Rich Hill will begin the first season with his new club on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained left elbow, the team announced on Sunday. The left-hander was acquired from the Chicago Cubs in the offseason in exchange for a player to be named later. Hill had a career year in 2007, notching an 11-8 record in 32 starts with a 3.92 earned run average and 183 strikeouts. However, he was slowed last season by a back injury and spent most o |
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