Announcement

**StarDust Bum** · 02-16-2015, 12:52 AM

SuperBook posts HR Futures

February 4, 2015

Opening Day of the 2015 pro baseball season takes place on Monday April 6, 2015 as 30 teams will look to win the World Series. Future Odds have been up since last November after the Giants defeated the Royals in the Fall Classic. Not surprisingly, neither San Francisco or Kansas City is expected to repeat this season.

Bettors looking for an alternative option on the diamond can do so with a popular baseball player prop being offered at the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook.

Who will hit the most home runs in the 2015 season?

According to the SuperBook, Miami's Giancarlo Stanton and Toronto's Jose Abreu are listed as the co-favorites at 8/1 (Bet $100 to win $800). Last year, Stanton finished with 37 dingers while Abreu had 36.

The player to hit the most home runs last year was Baltimore's Nelson Cruz, who hit 40. His odds to repeat as the home run leader are 60/1 (Bet $100 to win $6,000) and the reason for the high return is clearly related to his new environment. Cruz won't be playing in hitter-friendly Camden Yards this season, rather he's competing at pitchers park in Safeco Field since he inked a four-year deal with Seattle in the offseason.

Listed below are all of the odds posted at the SuperBook.

ODDS TO HIT MOST 2015 REGULAR SEASON HOME RUNS

GIANCARLO STANTON 8/1
JOSE ABREU 8/1
EDWIN ENCARNACION 12/1
CHRIS DAVIS 12/1
JOSE BAUTISTA 18/1
MIGUEL CABRERA 18/1
ANTHONY RIZZO 18/1
MIKE TROUT 20/1
PAUL GOLDSCHMIDT 20/1
CHRIS CARTER 25/1
MARK TRUMBO 25/1
GEORGE SPRINGER 25/1
JOSH DONALDSON 25/1
TROY TULOWITZKI 25/1
BRYCE HARPER 25/1
CARLOS GONZALEZ 30/1
JAY BRUCE 40/1
ADAM JONES 40/1
ALBERT PUJOLS 40/1
PRINCE FIELDER 40/1
AVISAIL GARCIA 50/1
EVAN GATTIS 50/1
EVAN LONGORIA 60/1
GREGORY POLANCO 60/1
JOSH HAMILTON 60/1
KRIS BRYANT 60/1
MATT ADAMS 60/1
PABLO SANDOVAL 60/1
RYAN BRAUN 60/1
YASMANY TOMAS 60/1
NELSON CRUZ 60/1
JOEY VOTTO 100/1
STEVE PEARCE 100/1
VICTOR MARTINEZ 100/1
ADAM LAROCHE 100/1
ADRIAN GONZALEZ 100/1
ANDREW McCUTCHEN 100/1
DAVID ORTIZ 100/1
FREDDIE FREEMAN 100/1
HANLEY RAMIREZ 100/1
JASON HEYWARD 100/1
JORGE SOLER 100/1
JUSTIN UPTON 100/1
LUCAS DUDA 100/1
MATT KEMP 100/1
TODD FRAZIER 100/1
WILL MYERS 100/1
YASIEL PUIG 100/1
YOENIS CESPEDES 100/1
FIELD (Any Other Player not listed above) 10/1

***SEASON MUST CONSIST OF AT LEAST 150 REGULAR SEASON GAMES FOR EACH TEAM

***PLAYER MUST PLAY IN AT LEAST 1 REGULAR SEASON GAME FOR ACTION

***IN CASE OF A TIE -- WINNERS ODDS ARE DIVIDED BY NUMBER OF WINNERS

**StarDust Bum** · 02-16-2015, 12:53 AM

Shields can opt out of Padres' deal in 2017

February 13, 2015

SAN DIEGO (AP) - James Shields can opt out his new contract with the San Diego Padres after two years and $31 million.

The 33-year-old right-hander finalized a $75 million, four-year deal Wednesday that calls for a $10 million salary this year and $21 million in each of the next three seasons. The Padres have a $16 million option for 2019 with a $2 million buyout that would be payable by Jan. 15, 2019.

Shields' deal gives him the right to terminate the contract no later than three days after the 2016 World Series and to become a free agent. San Diego would retain its right to make him a qualifying offer,

Shields gets a hotel suite on road trips as part of the deal.

The opt-out provision was first reported by Fox.

**StarDust Bum** · 02-16-2015, 12:55 AM

$100M pitchers must produce results fast

February 13, 2015

Max Scherzer and Jon Lester might as well have neon-green dollar signs stamped all over their uniforms and caps when spring training opens next week.

Their careers were redefined this offseason when they joined baseball's elite echelon of $100 million arms, a sweet 16 whose salaries total an even sweeter $2.42 billion. Every game they start and every pitch they throw will be viewed through the prism of their 1 percenter incomes.

Judging by history, they had better succeed swiftly with their new teams. Wins and innings pitched are likely to dwindle with age.

Theo Epstein, the Chicago Cubs' president of baseball operations who signed Lester, likens these megadeals to a ''splurge on a luxury item,'' baseball's equivalent of a Birkin bag or vintage Ferrari.

Is the roster candy worth it to their teams? Or merely a status symbol?

''They are difference-makers. They are special talents. Usually there are only 10 to 12 of these in the game, and they give you something that no one else has,'' said agent Scott Boras, who negotiated the deals for Kevin Brown, Barry Zito and Scherzer. ''A lot of teams have a lot of pitchers, but few teams have a true No. 1.''

Only three pitchers have won World Series rings after signing nine-figure contracts: CC Sabathia with the New York Yankees, and Zito and Matt Cain with the San Francisco Giants. The rest find their finances sated but their ambitions starved.

The $100 million pitchers have combined to average a 12-9 record and 3.39 ERA during the first four seasons of their deals, according to STATS. During the remaining years, they fell to a 7-7 record and 4.43 ERA.

Durability decreases dramatically, with the group averaging 205 innings in first seasons, 178 by the third year and 132 by the fifth.

Justin Verlander was 124-65 and 30 years old when he signed his big deal with Detroit in March 2013. He is 28-24 since, slowed by core muscle surgery before the 2014 season.

''I don't think that there's anyone that looks at long-term contracts for pitchers that are older and thinks that all of them are going to be years of investment that are at the highest rate,'' Detroit Tigers president Dave Dombrowski said. ''You expect some type of decline and adjustment that takes place.''

Pitchers and catchers start workouts with the World Series champion San Francisco Giants on Thursday, and position players join five days later. Among the players making fresh starts are Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez with Boston; Matt Kemp, Justin Upton and James Shields with San Diego; and David Robertson with the Chicago White Sox.

And Alex Rodriguez returns to the New York Yankees at age 39 following his yearlong suspension.

Seeking the first championship in franchise history, Washington gave the 30-year-old Scherzer a $210 million, seven-year contract, $5 million shy of the record for pitchers set by the Los Angeles Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw.

The Cubs, who won their last title 17 days after the Ford's first Model T left the car factory in 1908, guaranteed $155 million over six seasons to Lester and included 25 hours of private jet use annually to seal the deal with the left-hander, who turned 31 last month.

Epstein weighs health history, body type, athleticism, character, work ethic, mechanics and toughness among the factors in determining whether a pitcher is worth it.

''If you sign Andy Pettitte at age 31, you would have gotten performance throughout the contract,'' Epstein said. ''So it's just a matter of trying to sign the right guy.''

Brown became baseball's first $100 million man when he signed with the Dodgers in December 1998. He had pitched Florida to the 1997 World Series title and San Diego to the 1998 NL pennant.

Brown's deal shocked a sport accustomed to escalating salaries since free agency began in 1976.

Sandy Alderson, then an executive in the commissioner's officer, called it `an affront to baseball.'

''I'm in mourning,'' said Larry Lucchino, San Diego's president at the time. ''Not for the Padres, but for baseball.''

Brown was 139-99 with a 3.30 ERA when he agreed to the contract and went 72-45 with a 3.23 ERA during the deal for the Dodgers and Yankees, who acquired him for the final two years. In all, the $100 million men have averaged a 96-64 career record with a 3.46 ERA when they agreed to the contracts, then a 39-28 mark with a 3.55 ERA mark while earning the big money.

Just two of the previous 14 have losing records under their deals: Zito was 63-80 for San Francisco and Cole Hamels has gone 17-23 for Philadelphia despite a 3.05 ERA in the first two seasons.

''For most long-term deals, you see the best return on investment in the earlier years and typically in the last year or two, you're not getting quite the bang for the buck,'' Epstein said. ''Inflation helps mitigate that somewhat, because by the end of your deals, salaries have escalated, the cost per win has escalated, so you're not requiring the player to do quite as much to be worth the contract at that point.''

Nine of the pitchers reached their deals as free agents, and the others were within two years of free agency. Kershaw and the Yankees' Masahiro Tanaka were the youngest at 25, and Brown the oldest at 33.

Boras said the dropoff is factored in. He argues the aces are underpaid in the initial seasons.

''These players may be worth $40, $45 million for those three or four years,'' he said, ''The complaint is that, `Oh, you're going to pay for this in the latter years.' Well, the reality of it is you're not paying their true value in the early years. That's the quid pro quo.''

**StarDust Bum** · 02-16-2015, 12:56 AM

Marlins to host 2017 All-Star Game

Miami, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - The Miami Marlins have been officially selected to host the 2017 All-Star Game.

Major League Baseball made it official during a Friday press conference.

"Miami has hosted two World Series, and I am pleased that Marlins Park will now welcome the city's first All-Star Game in 2017," said MLB commissioner Rob Manfred. "The Marlins and the City made a comprehensive bid to hold a memorable All-Star Week during the Club's 25th season. As the Gateway to Latin America, Miami will be a perfect venue for a global game to celebrate the summer's best sporting event."

It will be Miami's first time hosting the event, but it is not the first time it has been awarded the game.

MLB awarded the Marlins the 2000 All-Star Game only to take it away and give it to Atlanta after the 1997 World Series team was dismantled. The franchise had also made a bid to host the 2015 contest.

"The Miami Marlins are thrilled to host the 2017 All-Star Game at Marlins Park. This is representative of a new chapter in so many ways, including the evolution of our great city, the bright future for our ballclub, and even the sport itself, as we welcome our new and dynamic Commissioner to the helm," noted Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria. "It's an exciting time for baseball and we look forward to hosting one of its iconic events."

Cincinnati's Great American Ball Park will host this year's All-Star Game, while San Diego will welcome the 2016 Midsummer Classic.

Once the next three games are completed only four existing ballparks will remain that have not yet hosted an All-Star Game. They are: Yankee Stadium, Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park, Tampa Bay's Tropicana Field and Washington's Nationals Park.

**StarDust Bum** · 02-16-2015, 01:01 AM

Major League Baseball Transactions

For The Last 7 Days

DateTeam

Date Player Transaction

02/15/2015 Los Angeles David Aardsma, RP Signed to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training
02/15/2015 Texas Jamey Wright, RP Signed to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training
02/13/2015 Chicago Cubs Gonzalez Germen, RP Outrighted to Iowa (PCL)
02/13/2015 Atlanta Eric Young, LF Signed to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training
02/13/2015 San Diego Josh Bell, 3B Signed to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training
02/13/2015 San Francisco Clay Rapada, RP Signed to a minor league contract
02/13/2015 Houston James Hoyt, RP Invited to spring training
02/13/2015 Cincinnati Ismael Guillon, SP Outrighted to Louisville (INT)
02/13/2015 Kansas City Joe Blanton, SP Signed to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training
02/13/2015 Toronto Josh Donaldson, 3B Signed to a one-year, $4.3 million contract through arbitration
02/13/2015 Houston Joe Thatcher, RP Signed to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training
02/13/2015 Miami David Phelps, SP Signed to a one-year, $1.4 million contract through arbitration
02/13/2015 Chicago WSox Matt Albers, RP Signed to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training
02/13/2015 Chicago WSox Nick Delmonico, 3B Signed to a minor league contract
02/13/2015 Boston Jess Todd, RP Signed to a minor league contract
02/13/2015 Arizona Addison Reed, RP Signed to a one-year, $4.875 million contract to avoid arbitration
02/13/2015 Arizona Aaron Blair, SP Invited to spring training
02/13/2015 Arizona Yoan Lopez, P Invited to spring training
02/13/2015 Arizona Peter O`Brien, C Invited to spring training
02/13/2015 Arizona Mark Thomas, C Invited to spring training
02/13/2015 Arizona Braden Shipley, SP Invited to spring training
02/13/2015 Arizona Archie Bradley, SP Invited to spring training
02/13/2015 Arizona Danny Dorn, LF Invited to spring training
02/13/2015 Arizona Tim Crabbe, SP Invited to spring training
02/13/2015 Arizona Jake Barrett, SP Invited to spring training
02/13/2015 Kansas City Greg Holland, RP Signed to a one-year, $8.25 million contract to avoid arbitration
02/13/2015 Cincinnati Aroldis Chapman, RP Signed to a one-year, $8.05 million contract to avoid arbitration
02/12/2015 Milwaukee Beau Wallace, C Signed to a minor league contract
02/12/2015 Milwaukee Josh Roenicke, RP Signed to a minor league contract
02/12/2015 Kansas City Derek Gordon, P Signed to a minor league contract
02/12/2015 Seattle Rafael Perez, RP Signed to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training
02/12/2015 Washington Spencer Kieboom, C Invited to spring training
02/12/2015 Washington Scott McGregor, SP Invited to spring training
02/12/2015 Washington Manny Delcarmen, RP Invited to spring training
02/12/2015 Washington Emmanuel Burriss, 2B Invited to spring training
02/12/2015 Washington Matt Skole, 3B Invited to spring training
02/12/2015 Washington Pedro Severino, C Invited to spring training
02/12/2015 Washington Rafael Martin, RP Invited to spring training
02/12/2015 Washington Cutter Dykstra, 2B Invited to spring training
02/12/2015 San Francisco Fernando Cabrera, RP Signed to a minor league contract
02/12/2015 Kansas City Kelvin Herrera, RP Signed to a two-year, $4.15 million contract
02/12/2015 Houston Roberto Hernandez, SP Signed to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training
02/12/2015 San Francisco Casey McGehee, 3B Signed to a one-year, $4.8 million contract
02/11/2015 Oakland Matt Olson, 1B Invited to spring training
02/11/2015 Atlanta Todd Coffey, RP Signed to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training
02/11/2015 Oakland Tyler Clippard, RP Signed to a one-year contract to avoid arbitration
02/11/2015 San Diego Aaron Northcraft, RP Designated for assignment
02/11/2015 Cleveland Michael Martinez, 3B Signed to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training
02/11/2015 Toronto Chris Colabello, 1B Outrighted to Buffalo (INT)
02/11/2015 San Diego James Shields, SP Signed to a four-year, $75 million contract with a club option for 2019
02/11/2015 Washington Jerry Blevins, RP Signed to a one-year, $2.4 million contract through arbitration
02/11/2015 Cincinnati Chris Dominguez, RF Signed to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training
02/10/2015 Colorado Ryan Casteel, C Invited to spring training
02/10/2015 Colorado Trevor Story, SS Invited to spring training
02/10/2015 Colorado Dustin Garneau, C Invited to spring training
02/10/2015 Colorado Tom Murphy, C Invited to spring training
02/10/2015 Colorado Ken Roberts, SP Invited to spring training
02/10/2015 Colorado Scott Oberg, RP Invited to spring training
02/10/2015 Colorado Jon Gray, SP Invited to spring training
02/10/2015 Atlanta Jose Veras, RP Signed to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training
02/10/2015 Pittsburgh Vance Worley, SP Signed to a one-year, $2.45 million contract through arbitration
02/10/2015 Atlanta Matt Capps, RP Signed to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training
02/10/2015 Baltimore Hunter Harvey, SP Invited to spring training
02/10/2015 Baltimore Brian Ward, C Invited to spring training
02/10/2015 Baltimore Dariel Alvarez, RF Invited to spring training
02/09/2015 LA Angels Matt Joyce, DH Signed to a one-year, $4.75 million contract
02/09/2015 Philadelphia Cesar Jimenez, RP Outrighted to Lehigh Valley (INT)
02/09/2015 NY Yankees Kyle Davies, SP Signed to a minor league contract
02/09/2015 Tampa Bay Jake Elmore, 2B Signed to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training
02/09/2015 Washington Eric Fornataro, RP Outrighted to Syracuse (INT)
02/09/2015 St. Louis Jon Jay, CF Signed to a two-year, $10.975 million contract

**StarDust Bum** · 02-16-2015, 01:02 AM

Chapman, Reds avoid arbitration with 1-year deal

Cincinnati, OH (SportsNetwork.com) - The Cincinnati Reds agreed to terms Friday on a one-year contract with left-handed fireballer Aroldis Chapman, avoiding arbitration.

Chapman overcame a scary incident in spring training to record 36 saves last season for the Reds. He missed the first month of the season after being hit in the face by a line drive but still made a third consecutive trip to the All-Star Game while finishing with a 2.00 ERA and 106 strikeouts in 54 appearances.

The 26-year-old native of Cuba has a career record of 15-16 with 113 saves and a 2.32 ERA in 259 games, all with the Reds.

**StarDust Bum** · 02-16-2015, 01:03 AM

PADRES STILL HAVE TO MAKE PLAYOFFS

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Well, the San Diego Padres certainly had themselves an offseason, huh?

After drastically upgrading their lineup earlier this winter, the Padres turned their attention to the rotation this past week and made it official with righty James Shields on Wednesday, signing him to a 4-year, $75 million deal.

The pact also includes an team option for a fifth season that could make it a $91 million deal.

Like he was when he was traded to Kansas City back in 2012, Shields is a perfect veteran addition to a young San Diego rotation that already is pretty solid. Only the Washington Nationals had a better team ERA in the NL. And no team had a lower bullpen ERA in the NL than the Padres' 2.59.

Righty Tyson Ross emerged as an All-Star, Ian Kennedy and Andrew Cashner are solid, while Cuban project Odrisamer Despaigne showed flashes of brilliance. Plus Brandon Morrow was brought in and who knows what oft-injured Josh Johnson can bring.

But as talented a group as it may have already been, it needed a leader - more specifically someone who will eat a whole lot of innings. And at the very least Shields will take the ball every fifth day, as he has made no less than 31 starts in each of the last eight seasons, making a league-high 34 in each of the last two years.

Speaking of that megatrade three winters ago between the Tampa Bay Rays and Royals that landed Shields in Kansas City, the other centerpiece of that deal - Wil Myers - now also calls San Diego home.

"Probably safe to say Padres are the final winner in the Shields trade," Myers tweeted after the Shields signing became official. "Should be an exciting year in San Diego!"

Now Kansas City also got Wade Davis as a throw-in in that same deal, so I don't think anyone is complaining. Well, maybe the Rays.

Myers was right about one thing, though. If anything, the Padres could be the most interesting team entering the season. But let's not forget, rarely does the team that wins the winter win in October.

In fact the last few teams that transformed themselves like this failed miserably.

The New York Yankees doled out almost a half a billion dollars in contracts last winter and missed the playoffs. How about the Toronto Blue Jays in 2013 or the Miami Marlins in 2012? Heck, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim signed Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton in back-to-back years and still missed the playoffs.

San Diego is certainly loaded with name talent, but this is still a lineup that was historically bad at times last season. Now, most of those faces are gone and replaced with the likes of outfielders Matt Kemp, Myers and Justin Upton, along with catcher Derek Norris and third baseman Will Middlebrooks.

Maybe outside of Norris, don't all those players have a giant question mark next to their name. Myers is supposedly one of the best young talents in the game, right? Then why will he be playing for his third franchise before he even turns 25?

And let's be honest, they still may be a third-place team in their own division behind the Los Angeles Dodgers and the defending world champion San Francisco Giants.

No, neither the lineup upgrades nor Shields guarantees the Padres anything. It does make them more exciting. And at least relevant for the first time in a long time.

And that alone makes it a successful offseason.

**StarDust Bum** · 02-18-2015, 02:08 AM

A's sign Zito to minor league deal

February 17, 2015

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Left-hander Barry Zito is returning to the Oakland Athletics with a minor contract that includes an invitation to major league spring training, two people with knowledge of the agreement said Tuesday.

The people, speaking on condition of anonymity because the A's hadn't announced the signing, said Zito would receive a $1 million, one-year contract if added to the 40-man roster. The deal was first reported by the San Francisco Chronicle.

Oakland's pitchers and catchers report to the club's new spring training home in Mesa, Arizona, on Thursday, with the first workout the following day.

Zito, 36, did not pitch last season.

He was taken by Oakland in the first round of the 1999 amateur draft and began his major league career with the A's the following year. He signed a $126 million, seven-year contract before the 2007 season to join the San Francisco Giants but had a largely disappointing stint across the bay. He was left off the postseason roster for all three rounds in a 2010 championship run, then helped San Francisco win another World Series in 2012.

Zito could earn $175,000 in performance bonuses: $25,000 each for five, 10, 15, 18, 20, 23 and 25 starts. While he could earn a rotation spot early in the season, Oakland hopes to have a pair of starters back by June as they return from elbow ligament-replacement surgery: Jarrod Parker and A.J. Griffin.

Oakland, coming off its third straight playoff appearance, added several young starters while making nine trades involving 27 players this offseason. Sonny Gray and Scott Kazmir return in the rotation. and Drew Pomeranz and Jesse Chavez also could be candidates.

Zito pitched Game 5 of the 2012 NL Championship Series at St. Louis with his team facing elimination as the Giants rallied to win the series in seven games. He then won the opener of a surprising World Series sweep of the Tigers.

A new father last year, Zito took 2014 off from baseball and worked to resurrect his career.

The three-time All-Star and 2002 AL Cy Young Award winner, he is 165-143 in 14 major league seasons, including 102-63 with a 3.55 ERA in seven years for Oakland.

**StarDust Bum** · 02-18-2015, 02:10 AM

A-Rod makes apology, doesn't speak

February 17, 2015

NEW YORK (AP) - Alex Rodriguez issued a five-paragraph handwritten apology ''for the mistakes that led to my suspension'' on Tuesday without detailing specifics about his use of performance-enhancing drugs.

Ready to report back to the Yankees following a season-long suspension for violating baseball's drug agreement and labor contract, Rodriguez apologized to team officials in person during a meeting at the ballpark on Feb. 10. They suggested he hold a news conference before the start of spring training this Friday and offered the use of Yankee Stadium, but Rodriguez declined.

Rodriguez held an apologetic news conference in 2009 at the team's facility in Tampa, Florida, after he admitted using banned PEDs while with Texas from 2001-03, before Major League Baseball had a drug agreement with penalties. But he did not want to face questions from media about his latest involvement with PEDs - although he could be required to testify if his cousin, Yuri Sucart, and former University of Miami pitching coach Lazaro Collazo, go to trial on charges they committed crimes for their involvement with the Biogenesis of America drug clinic. Rodriguez admitted in court documents he used PEDs.

Commissioner Bud Selig suspended Rodriguez for 211 games in August 2013, citing conduct from 2010-12 uncovered during MLB's investigation of Biogenesis, which was based in Coral Gables, Florida, not far from Rodriguez's home.

Rodriguez directed the players' association to file a grievance and filed a lawsuit against the Yankees' team doctor, accusing him of mishandling his medical care. After a hearing, arbitrator Fredric Horowitz reduced the penalty to the 2014 season, finding clear and convincing evidence'' Rodriguez used three banned substances and twice tried to obstruct the baseball's drug investigation.

All the while proclaiming his innocence, Rodriguez sued MLB and the union in an effort to overturn the penalty, then dropped the litigation and accepted the suspension. He is due to report to the Yankees on Feb. 25 and start workouts the following day.

Rodriguez addressed his statement ''to the fans'' and said ''I take full responsibility for the mistakes that led to my suspension for the 2014 season.''

''I regret that my actions made the situation worse than it needed to be,'' he said. ''To Major League Baseball, the Yankees, the Steinbrenner family, the players' association and you, the fans, I can only say I'm sorry.''

Rodriguez said ''I accept the fact that many of you will not believe my apology or anything that I say at this point. I understand why, and that's on me.''

''It was gracious of the Yankees to offer me the use of Yankee Stadium for this apology but I decided the next time I am in Yankee Stadium, I should be in pinstripes doing my job,'' he said.

Rodriguez made clear he doesn't intend to publicly explain why he got involved with Biogenesis. The clinic's owner, Anthony Bosch, was sentenced to four years in prison on Tuesday after pleading guilty in October to a charge of conspiracy to distribute testosterone.

New York says Rodriguez, who turns 40 in July, has been replaced by Chase Headley at third base and will have to compete for playing time at designated hitter and an infield backup. Rodriguez is owed $61 million over the final three seasons of his contract.

Before meeting with the Yankees, Rodriguez also met with incoming baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred.

''I served the longest suspension in the history of the league for PED use,'' Rodriguez said. ''The commissioner has said the matter is over. The players' association has said the same. The Yankees have said the next step is to play baseball. I'm ready to put this chapter behind me and play some ball. This game has been my single biggest passion since I was a teenager. When I go to spring training, I will do everything I can to be the best player and teammate possible, earn a spot on the Yankees and help us win.''

**StarDust Bum** · 02-18-2015, 02:12 AM

Reds open spring seeking new rotation

February 17, 2015

CINCINNATI (AP) - The Reds open spring training on Wednesday with a couple of openings in the starting rotation - an unusual situation for Cincinnati.

Starters Mat Latos and Alfredo Simon were traded in the offseason, a significant overhaul to what was their strength last season. Cincinnati's rotation was the one constant in a disappointing, 86-loss season that saw the offense struggle and the bullpen implode.

Cincinnati upgraded the bullpen by adding Burke Badenhop and Kevin Gregg. First baseman Joey Votto is expected back from a left leg injury that sidelined him for most of last season. That leaves a lot of the focus on filling out the rotation in February and March.

''We feel we have a competitive team,'' manager Bryan Price said. ''This isn't a rebuilt situation. So we have to feel as confident as we can one-through-five in our rotation.''

There are even some questions about No. 1 as pitchers and catchers report on Wednesday in Goodyear, Arizona. Their first workout will be on Thursday, with the first full-squad workout scheduled for Feb. 24.

Johnny Cueto became the Reds' first 20-game winner since 1988. He's in the final year of his deal. The Reds want to keep him but aren't sure whether they'll be able to get an agreement on another big contract.

He's followed in the rotation by Homer Bailey (9-5, 3.71 ERA in 23 starts) and Mike Leake (11-13, 3.70 ERA in 33 starts). The Reds are hoping that Anthony DeSclafani, who was acquired from Miami as part of the trade for Latos, will fill one of the two open spots. DeSclafani went 2-2 with a 6.27 ERA in five starts and eight relief appearances.

Left-hander Tony Cingrani was 2-8 with a 4.55 ERA in 11 starts and two relief appearances last season, when he was sidelined by a sore shoulder.

Another candidate is right-hander Raisel Iglesias, who signed a seven-year, $27 million deal last June. He defected from Cuba in November 2013 and worked out for major league scouts in Haiti. Given his time away from competitive baseball, the Reds aren't sure how much to expect from him this year.

They're open to using him as a reliever this season and finding out what they've got.

''How much can he handle as far as the workload goes?'' Price said. ''Long-term, we see him as a starting pitcher. The question is do we feel comfortable giving him enough innings to be a starter in our rotation all season long?''

The rotation hasn't been so unsettled since 2010, when Edinson Volquez was returning from elbow surgery and Leake was competing with Travis Wood for a spot in the rotation. The Reds won the NL Central that season and lost to Philadelphia in the opening round of the playoffs.

''It looks a lot more like 2010,'' Price said. ''We had a handful of young prospects and somehow we carved out a nice rotation for a playoff team.''

Votto will get a lot of attention from the medical staff as well as the coaching staff once he starts working out. He missed 99 games last season and didn't play after July 5 because of strained muscles above his left knee, which affected his mobility and his swing.

When the medical staff checked him out last month, Votto appeared to be fully recovered.

''His strength was outstanding and the stamina was good,'' Price said. ''So we're just looking at him hitting the ground running when Joey gets out to Goodyear and see with our own eyes where we're at. But we're confident he's going to be ready to go.''

**StarDust Bum** · 02-18-2015, 02:13 AM

Tanaka set to start Florida workouts

February 16, 2015

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - New York Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka is set to start workouts ahead of spring training.

Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild said Tanaka was scheduled to arrive in Florida on Monday night from Japan. Tanaka missed 2 1/2 months last year while rehabilitating a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. He returned for two late-September starts.

''So far everything is good,'' Rothschild said Monday at the Yankees' minor league complex. ''That doesn't mean it will be going forward, but we're going to do everything we can. We'll put schedules together and things like that to try to keep him healthy.''

Signing to a $155 million, seven-year contract, Tanaka went 13-5 with a 2.77 ERA in 20 starts. The Yankees say he has been throwing as part of his normal conditioning program in Japan.

**StarDust Bum** · 02-18-2015, 02:15 AM

Remaining Free Agents

February 17, 2015

NEW YORK (AP) -The 29 remaining free agents:

BALTIMORE (2) - Johan Santana, lhp; Joe Saunders, lhp.

BOSTON (1) - Ryan Dempster, rhp.

CHICAGO (2) - Paul Konerko, 1b; Matt Lindstrom, rhp.

CLEVELAND (1) - Jason Giambi, 1b.

DETROIT (2) - Joba Chamberlain, rhp; Phil Coke, lhp.

KANSAS CITY (2) - Raul Ibanez, of; Josh Willingham, of.

LOS ANGELES (2) - Sean Burnett, lhp; John McDonald, ss.

NEW YORK (2) - Rich Hill, lhp; Derek Jeter, ss.

SEATTLE (2) - Joe Beimel, lhp; Chris Young, rhp.

TORONTO (1) - Dustin McGowan, rhp.

---

ATLANTA (1) - Ryan Doumit, c.

COLORADO (1) - Franklin Morales, lhp.

LOS ANGELES (2) - Josh Beckett, rhp; Kevin Correia, rhp.

MIAMI (1) - Rafael Furcal, ss.

MILWAUKEE (2) - Lyle Overbay, 1b; Francisco Rodriguez, rhp.

NEW YORK (1) - Bobby Abreu, of.

PHILADELPHIA (1) - Mike Adams, rhp.

ST. LOUIS (1) - Mark Ellis, 2b.

WASHINGTON (2) - Scott Hairston, of; Rafael Soriano, rhp.

**StarDust Bum** · 02-19-2015, 03:22 AM

Champion Giants look to win in 'odd year'

February 18, 2015

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) - The San Francisco Giants roll in even years, winning the World Series in 2010, 2012 and 2014.

Enough of that pattern, Giants manager Bruce Bochy said.

''We want to have a lot of fun in an odd year,'' he said while San Francisco pitchers and catchers reported for spring training on Wednesday.

Pitchers and catchers also reported to the Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians and Philadelphia Phillies. The rest of the major league teams will get going over the next few days, half of them in Arizona, half in Florida.

As usual, pitching should be San Francisco's strength. Bochy said he's pretty set on the five-man rotation that will open the season.

He didn't name them. But by eliminating the non-starters he did mention, the five would be ace Madison Bumgarner, Matt Cain, Tim Hudson, Jake Peavy and Tim Lincecum.

''We haven't put the order down exactly but we've got a pretty good idea of what it's going to be,'' Bochy said.

He said Ryan Vogelsong and Yusmeiro Petit would be long-relievers and spot starters. Vogelsong re-signed with San Francisco, a one-year, $4 million deal, knowing the crowded starter situation he was rejoining.

''We talked a little bit about the situation and he understands it,'' Bochy said. ''You can't have enough depth in the rotation. I'm glad that Ryan decided to come back with us and I think it's going to be a workable situation. They can help each other out, maybe give a guy a start off.''

Lincecum said he has rediscovered the mechanics that once made him among the best in the game.

''My body just started to kind of click and grasp onto the things I used to do naturally,'' he said.

He isn't taking the starting role for granted.

''I feel I have to re-earn my spot in the rotation,'' he said. ''I didn't really finish off the year very well last year at all. That kind of left a drive in me. I want to get that back and discover what went wrong.''

Cain seems to be fully recovered from last year's surgeries on his right elbow and right ankle.

''Matt looks great, feels great,'' Bochy said. ''I mean, really has got a great look about him. I think he's excited that he's healthy again and he'll be back on the mound. He's a big part of the staff. We need him. We need Matt to be who he is and stay healthy this year.''

Of the projected starting five, only the 39-year-old Hudson won't be ready right off this spring.

He is still recovering from surgery to remove bone spurs from his right ankle.

''I'm probably a couple of weeks behind where I normally am,'' Hudson said. ''I had my surgery on the second of January so I wasn't able to start throwing until the latter part of January. So just from a throwing standpoint I have a little ways to go before I'm ready to get in some games. My mindset is just to be ready for the real games when the season starts, whether that means me pitching in one game or four games this spring.''

The team lost two starters from last year's championship squad. Third baseman Pablo Sandoval signed a five-year, $95 million free agent contract with Boston. Mike Morse signed a two-year, $16 million deal with Miami.

But those who are returning are a strong bunch, their manager said.

''With this team, I think it's fair to say we're pretty well set,'' Bochy said. ''...We're in a good place. We'd like to have a lot of fun in an odd year. We'd like to change that up, so we'll see if we can do that. I love the fact that we've had the continuity here with this staff. We have depth in the rotation. This is a team with a lot of character.''

Sitting in the Scottsdale Stadium dugout, the manager reflected only briefly on last year's triumph.

''We had a great year last year,'' he said. ''I hope they took time to enjoy it and savor all of that, but it's time to go to work.''

At the Phillies camp in Clearwater, Florida, manager Ryne Sandberg said Ryan Howard would be the team's first baseman, despite the team's rebuilding efforts and attempts to trade the declining veteran.

Howard is due a minimum of $60 million over the next two years.

''Right now he's here to prepare for the season as one of the guys,'' Sandberg said. ''If he gets to where he's hitting 30-35 home runs, which is good home runs for this day and age of baseball, he can help us win games this year. To see him in the spring and see him prepare and have him get ready, he's here. Right now, unless he gets unseated he's the first baseman.''

**StarDust Bum** · 02-23-2015, 01:03 PM

Cubs, Indians, Mets and Reds are biggest MLB season win totals moves

Spring has sprung at the sportsbooks where MLB season win totals have been on the board for more than a week. We talk to bookmakers in Nevada and online to see which teams have garnered the most action on their season projections and the subsequent adjustments to those win totals.

Chicago Cubs (Open 81.5, Move 83)

According to Steve Mikkelson, sportsbook director at the Atlanta Casino Resort in Reno, the first book to open MLB season win totals, the Cubs have taken a ton of action on the Over after making a splash this offseason, moving their win total as high as 84 before buyback on the Under trimmed that number to 83 wins.

“Good action so far, more on the Over to this point,” says Mikkelson. “Public is all in on the Cubs this year which is driving this number.”

St. Louis Cardinals (Open 88, Move 89)

The Cardinals are perennial National League contenders in a very competitive NL Central. According to Peter Childs of Sportsbook.ag, a big bet on the Over immediately boosted this total but outside of that, smaller wagers are taking St. Louis Under.

“We’ll get down to 88.5 soon, but we’re always aggressive with our initial line moves on these season specials because more times than not, once a popular side gets bet like a Cardinals team Over, it’s tough to get buy back on the Under,” says Childs.

Cleveland Indians (Open 81, Move 85)

The Indians made serious improvements last season, finishing 2014 at 85-77. Oddsmakers came in lower to open the Tribe’s 2015 win total, and were hammered with money on Cleveland Over. This total has been pumped up as many as four wins as of this weekend.

“I just missed on this one, as everyone believes they are much better than I did and keep betting the Over,” says Mikkelson.

Kansas City Royals (Open 79.5, Move 80.5)

Some books in Nevada opened 79.5 on the Royals, while others stayed high and posted 80.5 for Kansas City, which is coming off an 89-73 renaissance of a season in 2014. Money hit the Over, forcing adjustments in both markets.

“Since we opened high, I’m not going to be that aggressive moving off that early initial action because it was expected but we did go from 80.5 (Even) to 80.5 Over (-130),” says Childs.

Cincinnati Reds (Open 79, Move 77.5)

The Reds appear bound for a letdown as the rest of the NL Central goes up, according to the early action on the Under Cincinnati’s season win total. The Reds dealt pitchers Mat Latos and Alfredo Simon this offseason, and rumors of a fire sale are buzzing as spring training approaches.

“I guess they feel someone in this division has to lose, and the Reds didn’t instill confidence by trading away two of their starters,” says Mikkelson.

New York Mets (Open 82, Move 82.5)

The National League East belongs to the Washington Nationals (who have seen their win total climb as well) but the battle for second in the division is up for grabs. Atlanta seems in rebuild mode, Philadelphia is selling off its roster and Miami is a wild card. That has early money believing in the Mets improving on a 79-win season in 2014.

“It’s been all Over money so far,” says Childs. “We got to 82.5 pretty quickly and did book some sharp action Under 82.5 but not enough to get us to move off that one sharp bet. If we take more sharp Under action, we’ll move it back to 82 (Even).”

Oakland A’s (Open 82.5, Move 82)

In Reno, odds on the Athletics and Giants (Open 85, Move 84) are a bit skewed when compared to everywhere else, due to the amount of tourist traffic from the Bay Area. Oakland has drawn the expected Over money from A’s fans but this number has been trimmed half a win since opening.

“By far the most interesting of the teams, as we just keep taking public money Over, then smarter money Under,” he says.

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