Author Archive
NHL Western Conference Power Rankings: Dec. 8 Edition
Posted: 8th December 2009 by TAB BAMFORD in NHL
It's time, once again, to consider how the powers that be align in the Western Conference.
Since I last ranked the Western Conference, a number of things have changed in the Conference that have impacted my rankings.
My last rankings can be seen here: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/289165-nhl-western-conference-power-rankings
I'll discuss each team's individual upgrades/issues as we go through the rankings, but for now all I'll say is this: when kids get paid, and Hossa plays, ...
Why are the Chicago Cubs Bringing Back Mike Fontenot?
Posted: 8th December 2009 by TAB BAMFORD in MLB
According to Jerry Crasnick , it appears the Chicago Cubs will tender an offer to infielder Mike Fontenot.
And to think things were going so well this winter for a while...
So far, Cubs GM Jim Hendry has unloaded dead weight Aaron Heilman via trade to Arizona, Kevin Gregg to free agency andáAaron Miles (with Jake Fox) to Oakland for prospects. The deconstruction of the disappointing 2009 team was well under way.
But ...
The arbitration deadline has just passed, as has the first day of year's Winter Meetings. Anyone bored yet?
As is the case every winter, there's a lot of smoke and no fire on the first day of the meetings, but this year the dynamic in the National League has been developing ever since the final pitch of the World Series.á
Consider the changes that have already taken place:
St. Louis signed Brad Penny ...
Future Hall of Fame catcher Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez has signed a two-year, $6 million deal with the Washington Nationals, according to reports.
The $3 million annual salary will make Rodriguez the fourth highest-paid player on the Nationals, behind Adam Dunn, Cristian Guzman, and Ryan Zimmerman.
Rodriguez, 38, has won 13 Gold Glove Awards and the 1999 American League MVP. The Nationals will be his sixth team, four of which have been in ...
Jose Valverde has decided to test the free agent market and declined arbitration from the Houston Astros late Monday night.
Valverde was 4-2 with 25 saves in 29 opportunities in 2009, ending the year with a 2.33 ERA and 1.13 WHIP.
The Braves have already signed Billy Wagner and Takashi Saito, and Rafael Soriano accepted Atlanta's arbitration offer late on Monday night to make the closer pool this winter not as deep ...
Rafael Soriano Accepts Arbitration, Atlanta Braves Bullpen Loaded
Posted: 7th December 2009 by TAB BAMFORD in MLB
Reports late on Monday night are that Atlanta Braves' reliever Rafael Soriano has accepted arbitration rather than trying the free agent market this winter.
According to various baseball sources, Soriano could earn between $6.5 and $8 million with a one-year deal for 2010; the Braves would need Soriano's consent to trade him before the middle of June.
The unexpected retention of Soriano, who saved 27 games in 31 opportunities last year, gives ...
Chicago Cubs Promote Ryne Sandberg To Triple-A Manager
Posted: 7th December 2009 by TAB BAMFORD in MLB
Is this heaven? No, Mr. Sandberg, it's Iowa!
Reports are that the Chicago Cubs have promoted Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg to the bench in Iowa as the manager of their Triple-A affiliate.
Somewhere, Joe Morgan is telling someone that Sandberg can't manage, either.
Sandberg has spent most of his professional career with the Cubs organization after being acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies as a young third baseman over 27 years ...
Report: New York Mets Acquire Edwin Jackson From Detroit Tigers
Posted: 7th December 2009 by TAB BAMFORD in MLB
Reports on Monday afternoon are that the New York Mets have traded for Detroit Tigers starter Edwin Jackson.
Jackson emerged as a solid starter for Detroit after being dealt to the Tigers for Matt Joyce last winter. The 26-year-old righty was 13-6 with a 3.62 ERA in 33 starts. He had one complete game last year, and struck out 161 in 215 innings pitched. Opposing batters only managed a .246 average ...
Milton Bradley For Gil Meche? Chicago Cubs Talking To Kansas City Royals
Posted: 7th December 2009 by TAB BAMFORD in MLB
Baseball's Winter Meetings have begun, and there isn't a team with as clear-cut a mission this week as the Chicago Cubs: get rid of Milton Bradley.
It appears Cubs GM Jim Hendry will do everything in his power to unload the switch-hitting outfielder/designated hitter this week after the marriage between the volatile Bradley and the organization, and Cubs fans, went south in terribly public fashion.
The reactions to Bradley from Cubs fans could ...
Chicago Blackhawks' Featured Columnists Tab Bamford and Michael Wagner will, over the coming week, evaluate and discuss potential trade candidates on the Blackhawks roster. With the Hawks needing to move money off their 2010-11 payroll, players that are currently Blackhawks won't be next year. This is the second installment of the series. In the first, Wagner discussed Tomas Kopecky's issues .
I think I've heard this one before: "the Chicago Blackhawks ...