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MLB – Lautenberg Calls on Ban on Tobacco February 16th, 2011

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Commissioner Bud Selig and MLB Players Union head Michael Weiner received a letter from Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-N.J.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill ), urging them to ban the use of smokeless tobacco in the upcoming collective bargaining agreement.

The two asked Mr. Selig to bring up the matter in collective bargaining negotiations and they are not looking for a snap decision. A spokeswoman for Sen. Durbin, Christina Mulka said that for legislation prohibiting smokeless tobacco use in baseball, there were no plans.

MLB had no immediate response and it appeared to be chewing on the idea. Last spring, when Republican Henry Waxman of California and other Democratic House members made a similar request, it did not have much of a reaction. Over the past year, MLB has come under growing scrutiny for allowing its players to use smokeless tobacco. It may encourage use among kids and presents a health risk.

The senators wrote that the positive image of the sport is undermined by the use of smokeless tobacco by baseball players and sends a dangerous message to young fans, as they are highly influenced by the players and they look up to them as their role models.
They also highlighted on the numerous health risks of tobacco use and the troubling statistics. They added that every year, tobacco-related products kill 443,000 Americans and 1,000 American children and teenagers become new regular smokers each day. Cancer of the stomach, larynx, esophagus, oral cancer is caused by Smokeless tobacco.

One can always clearly see players or even coaches spitting tobacco, if you watch any major league game. In the minor leagues, smokeless tobacco has been banned. Banning in the major league is a tougher task as many players opposed to a ban. In the MLB, approximately one third of players are believed to use smokeless tobacco. In December, the current CBA expires.

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MLB: Four-Year Contract Extension For Ramirez February 1st, 2011

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The Chicago White Sox have signed shortstop Alexei Ramirez to a four-year contract extension and locked up one of their brightest and most underrated talents. The contract extension signed by Ramirez is for $32.5 million. The contract also comes with a fifth-year club option worth $10 million. Ramirez earned $1.1 million a season ago and agreed to a $2.75 million 2011 contract back in December, although the year-by-year breakdown is currently not known.

General manager Ken Williams talked about interest in working out a multi-year deal with Ramirez, at the point when the option was picked up, although before working with a valuable player under control such as Ramirez, there were pressing needs to take care of in building the team. The 29-year-old, for his 2010 performance, earned his first Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award, marking him as the best shortstop with the bat in the American League.

Ramirez getting a deal of this kind of value is a bit surprising; although there is no doubt that, he is a talented player. In his three seasons in the bigs, he has not shown much progression. His rookie year is still perhaps his finest season until date. The White Sox clearly do not want to take a chance at letting him slip out of their grasp and the fact is that he provides above average offense at a premium defensive position. He is still relatively affordable and it is better to lock him up now than wait until he really becomes a star.

In 156 games, Ramirez batted .282 with 18 home runs, 29 doubles and 70 RBIs. To capture the Silver Slugger, he became the first middle infielder in White Sox history, leading all AL shortstops in average, slugging percentage (.431), home runs and total bases (252). He tied for third in hits among shortstops and finished second in RBIs.

For the 2010 Rawlings Gold Glove award, Ramirez was one of the favorites for his spectacular defensive showing. The honor went to Derek Jeter.

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MLB: Giants Insure Peaceful End to Their Offseason January 19th, 2011

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The Giants would insure a peaceful end to their blissful offseason and they appeared destined to skirt salary-arbitration hearings.

With right-hander Santiago Casilla, the Giants settled on terms of a one-year, $1.3 million contract. The finalizing of Casilla’s deal was delayed due to mere procedural matters. With outfielder Cody Ross and starting left-handed pitcher Jonathan Sanchez, the San Francisco Giants reached an agreement on one-year contracts.

In the Giants run to the 2010 World Series title, both Ross and Sanchez played a major role. Sanchez turned in a solid regular season with 13 wins and a 3.07 ERA, while Ross was named the MVP of the NLCS. For the upcoming season, Pitcher Ramon Ramirez also reportedly reached a deal. The Giants are also in the process of trying to sign pitchers outfielder Andres Torres, Javier Lopez and Santiago Casilla.

For $4.8 million, Sanchez agreed to terms on a one-year deal. A very strong 2010 campaign was put together by Sanchez that earned him a sizable raise. 193 1/3 innings, he posted a 3.07 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 205 strikeouts. As the number three starter behind Tim Linecum and Matt Cain, he will head into spring training. Between Sanchez, Madison Bumgarner and maybe even Barry Zito, it will make an interesting battle to see who steps up as the number three.

On a one-year deal for $6.3 million, Ross agreed to terms. After joining the Giants in late August, Ross had a fairly pedestrian regular season. However, Ross was capped by NLCS MVP honors and he put together a big postseason that included five homeruns. Next season, Ross will head into free agency.

With a potential $50,000 in performance-based incentives, Casilla agreed to terms on a one-year deal for $1.3 million. Casilla was a solid performer out of the bullpen, although he had his struggles at times. Over 55 1/3 innings, he finished 2010 with a 1.95 ERA and 56/26 K/BB ratio. In high leverage innings, he might get himself more work, if he can repeat that in 2011.

With financial terms not yet disclosed, Ramirez agreed to terms on a one-year deal. The Giants put together some solid numbers pitching in 25 games for the Giants and posting a 0.67 ERA and 0.89 WHIP and acquired Ramirez from the Boston Red Sox at the trade deadline. His K/BB ratio was 15/11.

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Adrian Beltre Signed By Texas Rangers To Six-year, $96 Million Deal January 6th, 2011

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With the signing of free-agent third baseman Adrian Beltre to a six-year, $96 million contract, the Texas Rangers strengthened their roster and the baseball betting fans are excited about this news.

After he arrived in Texas Tuesday to take a physical, the Rangers were expected to introduce the slugger at a news conference Wednesday.

In MLB Betting odds, the signing will make the rangers even bigger favorites.

The deal structured like, $14 million this year; $15 million in 2012; $16 million in 2013; $17 million in 2014; $18 million in 2015; and $16 million in 2016, according to the Rangers.

If Beltre fails to have either 1,200 plate appearances in 2014 and 2015 combined, or 600 in 2015, the team can void the final season.

Beltre will be the club’s starting third baseman as the deal means current third-baseman Michael Young will move to designated hitter and a super-utility position.

In 2010 Beltre, 31 hit .321 with 28 homers and 102 RBIs for the Boston Red Sox. By allowing the Rangers to improve its infield defense, Beltre, a two-time Gold Glove winner, was also solid with the glove at third base.

Beltre was an All-Star in 2010 also led the American League in doubles with 49. While Young was minus-13, he has impressive defensive numbers and was plus-10 in defensive runs saved.

On Monday, Young said he has no problem switching positions.

Young said, “I want to do what’s best for a winning team, that’s always been the case and it always will be. I’m willing to do what I need to do to help this team.”

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Orlando Hudson Inks A Deal With the San Diego Padres December 20th, 2010

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A contract between Second baseman Orlando Hudson and the San Diego Padres has reached agreement, with pending completion of a physical exam.

During an interview with MLB Network Radio on Friday morning, Hudson said he expected to sign with San Diego. According to the Associated Press, his deal with the Padres is worth $11.5 million over two years. Hudson had announced that he would be joining the Padres as he said that it is a great place, with a great atmosphere and unbelievable ballpark.

David Eckstein will be replaced by Hudson, 33. With the AL Central champion Minnesota Twins, Hudson played last season, hitting .268 with six homers and 37 RBIs. He was with Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks and Toronto Blue Jays, prior to that.

In 2011, Hudson will make $4 million and in 2012, he will make $5.5 million. For 2013 with a $2 million buyout, there is an $8 million mutual option.

In the past four seasons, the Padres will be Hudson’s fourth team. Batting .268/.338/.372 and missing time with wrist and oblique injuries, he spent last season with the Twins. Between 2005 and ’09, Hudson won four Gold Gloves and his defense surely appeals to the Padres. In several advanced ratings systems last season, he is again rated among the top defenders.

Hudson has not fared as well on the offensive side. Over the past three seasons, his OPS have declined from .817 to .774 to .710.

For major-league relievers Adam Russell and Cesar Ramos and two minor-leaguers, the Padres got Bartlett and a player to be determined from the Rays.

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Waterford High Has New Baseball Coach – Peluso December 6th, 2010

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Long-time baseball assistant coach Art Peluso took over as head coach of the Waterford program, after the announcement from the Waterford athletic director, Dave Sousa.

For 13 seasons, Peluso worked with former coach Jack O’Keefe. After serving as head coach for 16 years, O’Keefe announced his retirement in late October.

The Lancers were led by O’Keefe to six state championship games, winning four, and captured five Eastern Connecticut Conference titles.

Waterford athletic director Dave Sousa said that he was told that no one else could be the perfect man for this head coach job as Peluso. There will not be any major transition issue and it will be a seamless one for Peluso as he fully familiar with the program. Sousa said that the he is a well-respected member and the kids like him. He also said that although it may be a very big step for Peluso, he has committed for the same.

Peluso teaches in Waterford’s special education department and he is an in-house product. For the first 35 years, Gerry Rousseau started junior varsity, varsity programs and coached, while Jack O’Keefe coached for the last 15. Both combined, they won nine state championships. Rousseau won 5 titles and 512 games.

Peluso said that he is fortunate to get to learn from coach O’Keefe. As per him, he was one of the best. Peluso admitted that he has very big shoes to fill. He wants to keep what the previous coaches started going. He appreciated Dave for showing confidence in him.

At Fitch, a fellow Eastern Connecticut Conference Large Division team, Peluso’s younger brother Marc is the coach.

Going 8-2 in the Large Division, Waterford was 21-6 last year. In the CIAC Class M final, the Lancers lost to Montville 6-4. Last season’s state Gatorade player of the year, Colin O’Keefe was among the graduates from that team. He is now on a scholarship, attending Virginia Tech.

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Detroit Tigers agree to terms with shortstop Peralta November 9th, 2010

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Jhonny Peralta has agreed to contract terms with the Detroit Tigers and will play shortstop next season, the MLB club announced Monday.

Peralta and the Tigers agreed on an $11.25 million, two-year contract with a club option for 2013, the Tigers said Monday, who also said they will move Peralta, one of the shortstop position favorites with various MLB lines, to shortstop.

The deal comes less than three weeks after re-signing third baseman Brandon Inge for a similar price.

“I feel happy. I want to be with the Tigers,” Peralta said. “Playing shortstop, for me, is my natural position. I feel really comfortable.”

He was a shortstop for most of his career before becoming Cleveland‘s regular third baseman in 2009. Detroit acquired him in July, and he played 46 of his 57 games with the Tigers at shortstop.

Detroit declined Peralta’s $7.25 million option last week, opting to pay a $250,000 buyout, but Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski said then that the team was optimistic about reaching a new agreement.

The 28-year-old can provide good power for a middle infielder. He hit .249 with 15 home runs in 148 games last season for the Indians and Tigers and has surpassed 20 homers three times.

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MLB – Game 1 Preview – World Series October 27th, 2010

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In recent memory, the 2010 World Series is shaping up to be one of the best World Series. Like Philadelphia, New York or Tampa Bay, this World Series will have its fair share of dramatic moments, while this year’s Fall Classic does not feature any of the powerhouse teams that baseball experts were predicting to make the World Series.

This year’s MLB championship series will keep viewers on the edge of their seats, with star players such as Tim Lincecum, Cliff Lee, Vladimir Guerrero, and Josh Hamilton.

When Tim Lincecum takes the mound to face Cliff Lee of the Texas Rangers, Game 1, which will be played Wednesday, will feature the two best pitchers of this year’s postseason.

To go against Cliff Lee’s even more impressive 0.75 ERA, .151 Batting Average Against, and 0.58 WHIP, Lincecum will bring his 1.93 ERA, .171 Batting Average Against, and 0.81 WHIP with him. You will have to think runs will be at a premium in this contest, with both of these fantastic pitchers on the mound in game one.

Than the Giants, the Rangers’ lineup does have a little bit more power so they are figured to be a slight favorite behind their ace for game 1.

Thanks to the National League winning this year’s All-Star game, the first game of this year’s World Series will be played at San Francisco’s ballpark, which also gives the Giants home field advantage. While, the World Series is sure to capture the excitement of baseball fans around the country this October, these two teams may not be from the biggest baseball markets in the country.

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Series Preview – MLB Playoffs – Giants vs. Phillies October 14th, 2010

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On Monday, the San Francisco Giants knocked off the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS to advance to the National League Championship Series to face the Philadelphia Phillies in what surely will be a battle of pitchers.

The Phillies wasted no time in defeating the Cincinnati Reds in a 3 game sweep behind the no-hitter of Roy Halladay and complete game shutout of Cole Hamels in game 3, while in the NLDS series against the Braves the Giants used spectacular pitching and timely hitting to get past the NL Wildcard team in 4 games.

In recent years, the championship series is set to be one of the better National League Championship Series. Philadelphia, behind their outstanding pitching staff that features Halladay, Roy Oswalt, and Hamels, is hoping to win their 3rd straight NL pennant and hope to improve their World Series odds. In the pitching department, the Giants are no slouch either riding their ace Tim Lincecum in recent weeks. The Giants have the arms to compete in this 7 game series and add in pitchers Matt Cain, Jonathan Sanchez, and Maddison Bumgarner.

Even at 3-3, the season series between these two teams was dead, with both home teams winning 2 games and losing only 1. Leading baseball analysts are the closely contested regular season games that this will be a close series and come down to a 7th game.

Both managers will be able to set their starting rotations the way they want them, with the extra time off between series. In first three games, Chances are the pitching order for both teams will look like this:

Game 1 – Lincecum vs. Halladay
Game 2 – Cain vs. Oswalt
Game 3 – Sanchez vs. Hamels

All pitching rotations have the chance to get thrown out the window as one or both teams may feel that the next game is a must win for their club, once it gets to game 4.

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MLB Playoffs – Braves-Giants series – Preview October 6th, 2010

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Both teams, Atlanta Braves and San Francisco Giants can now breathe a small sigh of relief knowing that they will be a part of the 2010 MLB playoffs, although it may have taken both the teams until the very last day of the season to secure a playoff berth. The Braves will travel to San Francisco to open the best of 5 NLDS beginning on Thursday, October 7, with Atlanta winning the Wild Card berth.

Atlanta Braves won the season’s head-to-head matchup, 4 games to 3 with 3 of their victories coming at home. as San Francisco sports a 49-32 record at their home ball park, while Atlanta has just a 35-46 road record for the season, home field advantage should play a pretty big role in this series. The Braves will probably end up regretting losing the division crown the Philadelphia Phillies and compare that to the Braves’ 56-25 home record.

Entering this series, San Francisco also has a slight edge with the way they have been playing recently. The last few weeks have forced the Giants to stay sharp and be on top of their game, fighting for their playoff lives every night. The Braves are an even 5 and 5 in their last 10, while the Giants enter this series having won 7 of their last 10 games.

In this NLDS series, the pitching matchup also appears to favor the Giants. Following are the first 3 games’ scheduled starters:

Game 1 – Lincecum vs. Lowe
Game 2 – Hanson vs. Cain
Game 3 – Sanzchez vs. Hudson

San Francisco should have no problem closing out the Braves for the series win, if they can win the first two games at home behind their two best pitchers.

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