Archives 2009

Between buyers and sellers the telephones were hot today. Teams scrambled the last minute to improve their chances to make the playoffs, and a run at a ring. Here’s the rundown of the MLB moves that went down today before the 4PM deadline.

*White Sox acquired pitcher Jake Peavy from the San Diego Padres for pitchers Aaron Poreda, Clayton Richard, Dexter Carter, and Adam Russell; recalled infielder Brent Lillibridge from Charlotte of the International League.

*Red Sox acquired catcher Victor Martinez from the Cleveland Indians for pitchers Justin Masterson, Nick Hagadone, and Bryan Price; acquired first baseman Casey Kotchman from the Atlanta Braves for first baseman Adam LaRoche and cash; acquired outfielder Brian Anderson from the Chicago White Sox for outfielder Mark Kotsay and cash considerations; and then transferred pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka to the 60-day disabled list.

*Dodgers acquired pitcher George Sherrill from the Baltimore Orioles for infielder Josh Bell and pitcher Steve Johnson; acquired catcher Vinny Rottino from the Milwaukee Brewers for pitcher Claudio Vargas.

*Athletics traded shortstop Orlando Cabrera to the Minnesota Twins for shortstop Tyler Ladendorf; recalled infielder Cliff Pennington from Sacramento of the Pacific Coast League.

*Yankees acquired infielder Jerry Hairston Jr. from the Cincinnat Reds for catcher Chase Weems.

*Tigers acquired pitcher Jarrod Washburn from the Seattle Mariners for pitchers Luke French and Mauricio Robles.

*Marlins acquired first baseman Nick Johnson from the Washington Nationals in exchange for (AA) pitching prospect Aaron Thompson.

*Rockies acquired pitcher Joe Beimel and cash from the Washington Nationals for pitchers Ryan Mattheus and Robinson Fabian.

*Reds acquired third baseman Scott Rolen from the Toronto Blue Jays for pitchers Josh Roenicke, Zachary Stewart and third baseman Edwin Encarnacion.

*Giants acquired infielder Freddy Sanchez from the Pittsburgh Pirates for pitcher Tim Alderson; acquired first baseman Ryan Garko from the Cleveland Indians for pitcher Scott Barnes; recalled first baseman Jesus Guzman and second baseman Eugenio Velez from Fresno of the Pacific Coast League (AAA).

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Ramirez, and Ortiz both tested positive for PEDS in 2003

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The Hornets have been trying to unload the 7-foot-1 Chandler for several months.

On Tuesday the Hornets have officially found a taker in the Charlotte Bobcats, trading for fellow center Emeka Okafor.

Charlotte coach Larry Brown was willing gamble on the injury-prone big man. It comes at the expense of Okafor, who at 6-foot-10 is smaller than Chandler and had trouble guarding the NBA’s top big men.

“We’re getting a young kid who is long and athletic and can play multiple positions and fills a need that we obviously have,” Brown said.

The Hornets were intrigued by Okafor’s superior rebounding and durability, giving New Orleans a reliable big man with a longer contract.

“Emeka is one of the premier centers in the NBA with All-Star caliber scoring and rebounding averages throughout his career,” Hornets general manager Jeff Bower said. “His potential to improve is endless once you put him on the court running with Chris Paul.”

Okafor averaged 13.2 points and 10.1 rebounds last season, but his style didn’t mesh with Brown. The coach questioned his basketball fire at the end of last season.

Chandler averaged 8.8 points and 8.7 rebounds in only 45 games last season. He then underwent procedures on his left ankle and toe in May after being ineffective in the first-round series loss to Denver.

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The NFL had been threatening to sue Delaware if the state went ahead with plans for sports betting this fall, on Friday they went through with it.

The NFL, which had been pro sports’ biggest opponent to Delaware’s plans, followed through. It also convinced some powerful friends to join in the fight.

In federal court in Wilmington, the NFL, NBA, Major League Baseball, the NHL and the NCAA filed a complaint to stop Gov. Jack Markell and the Delaware State Lottery Office from taking bets on their games.

Delaware is one of four states legally exempt from the 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), a federal law which prohibits states from being in the bookmaking business.

However, the state hasn’t had sports betting since a failed attempt at parlay betting in the mid-1970s. Now, faced with an $800 million budget deficit, Governor Jack Markell is turning to sports betting to hopefully raise between $50-$100 million for his state.

Delaware has plans to begin allowing betting this fall, in time for the NFL season, at its three racinos, which house racetracks and slot machines. At Dover Downs, near the state capitol, space is already being carved out from an unused restaurant to make room for a new sports book. And, while the leagues are asking for an injunction to stop any kind of betting that will cause, “irreparable harm to their reputation and goodwill,” plans in Delaware continue to move forward.

The leagues think those plans are against the law.

NFL vice president Joe Browne said that the league is sensitive to economic issues in Delaware and other states. He said that the NFL wrote to Markell on April 7, telling him the league would be willing to discuss ways to help close the state’s budget gap — “short of using our games as betting vehicles.”

According to Browne, Markell responded five weeks later “that he was signing legislation that day which, in effect, uses our games as betting vehicles.”

The complaint alleges that sports betting in Delaware violates the 1992 anti-sports betting law, as well as the state law which mandates all forms of gambling be games of chance, not skill. The leagues argue that, by going from parlay to single game betting, chance gives way to skill.

In May, the court ruled that the state law allowing sports betting didn’t conflict with the state constitution, but the justices also said, “we cannot opine on the constitutionality of single game bets.”

At this point only time will tell what the verdict will be. I would think the economic woes of our countries states would take a higher precedence then that of the NFL, and other leagues.

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Free-agent point guard Andre Miller signed with the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday.

Miller’s contract is said to be a three-year deal worth $21 million. $14 million will be guaranteed, and $7 million will be a third-year team option.

Miller, an unrestricted free agent, had turned down signing a one-year offer from the Philadelphia 76ers, and the Blazers were one of only two teams with the money to give him more than the mid-level exception.

The Blazers have been on the prowl for a veteran point guard the past few seasons. They’ve looked at everyone from Jason Kidd to Kirk Hinrich.

“He is one of the league’s ironmen who brings a wealth of veteran leadership to our team and is a great fit for our young and improving roster,” Portland general manager Kevin Pritchard said in a statement.

Miller met with Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard and coach Nate McMillan at a restaurant in Las Vegas earlier this week.

Pritchard said he was impressed with how much Miller know about the Blazers offense.

“Andre was terrific. He knew our team. He knew how he could help our team. He seemed like a coach,” Pritchard said.

With Miller, the Blazers get a savvy veteran who excels as a physical, post-up guard.

Miller has played an NBA-high 530 straight games and has missed just three in his career.

“I’m just looking forward to the challenge, you know?” Miller said in a conference call. “I know Portland wants to accomplish a lot of things, and I want to add to that.”

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Cardinals acquire Matt Holliday, will they win the division now?