Tigers Hope Rule 5 Campusano Comes Through

Tigers Scouts knew what they were doing when they traded for Cubs prospect Edward Campusano after the Brewers took him in the Rule 5 Draft. However, all they can hope for now is that he comes through. Campusano is 0-0 with a 4.50 ERA through 8 IP with 8 H, 9 K, and 3 BB this spring. He has also give up 4 runs, all earned. However, coaches are extremely impressed by his command and potential to throw the ball hard and for strikes. They can only hope that he continues to have the success he has been having throughout this spring. In four minor league seasons (none above Double-A) he is 7-10, through 157.2 IP with a 3.32 ERA and 161 K.

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Sosa Makes Rangers

Sammy Sosa will endure his second stint with the Rangers starting in April. Ron Washington told non roster invitee Sammy Sosa that he will be on the Opening Day roster. There hasn't been an official announcement and he hasn't been moved onto the 40-man roster, but Adam Katz and GM Jon Daniels plan to announcement in the next couple of days. They aren't expecting a thirty home run season, but they are expecting 400 at bats and a veteran bat off the bench. "...his performance is going to dictate what he gets," Washington said of Sosa earning an everyday job. "If he performs, we're going to have to find him at-bats. If he starts to slack off a little bit, then we may have to come back with a platoon." Sosa started his career with the Rangers back in 1989. He has hit 588 home runs and has a career average of .274 with the Rangers, White Sox, and Cubs.

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Kerry Wood Out Again

The Cubs announced today that Kerry Wood is sidelined indefinitely with what the Cubs are calling triceps strain. The Cubs are also saying he is day to day but who knows what that means with Kerry Wood. "He had a little strain in his triceps on the posterior, on the bottom, and not where he was cut [during surgery]," Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said. "We'll give him a couple days and let Mark [O'Neal, Cubs athletic trainer] work on him. I'm not anticipating any long-term difficulty. He'll skip the next couple days." Hopefully it isn't anything serious, but with Kerry Wood out and Mark Prior heading for the minors, what's the saying again; "it's deja vu all over again."

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Cardinals Falling

Now that Spring Training has hit nearly mid season, the Cardinals, already weak in depth, have lost four of their main starters: David Eckstein, Adam Kennedy, Jim Edmonds, and Juan Encarnacion. Eckstein came out of the first game with a strained oblique muscle. Adam Kennedy has yet to play his first game with the Cardinals because of a ribcage strain. And Jim Edmonds and Juan Encarnacion are recovering from surgeries and are taking it slow strides to coming back. However, Kennedy and Eckstein have returned but are still being treated with care while Tony La Russa hopes to have Edmonds and Encarnacion back sometime this week. However, they are expected to spend time on the disabled list. Although it is only Spring Training, you'd hate to see Jim Edmonds trying to find his form in April, especially after not only the Cubs and Astros got better, but the Brewers as well. Although there pitching is not what it was as of last year, they still have great power in Pujols, Rolen, and Duncan, and Chris Carpenter is a very solid, dependable pitcher. Don't count the Cardinals out yet because they still hold great power, decent pitching, and an excellent coaching staff.

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Woodward to Cubs?

Many reporters around the spring training are coming across this trade tidbit and immediately pushing it aside. However, according to Ken Rosenthal, David O'Brien, and now a third source, who requested to remain anonymous because the trade is still very far away. A Cubs scout has recently scouted Chris Woodward and a couple other middle infielders on the Braves in hopes of swinging a deal for another utility infielder to provide even more depth, especially versus lefties. The scout suggested the reason to acquire this infielder was to provide backup for Ryan Theriot at second base versus lefties, because they plan to play Mark DeRosa in right field versus lefties. The reason being is because Jacque Jones' lack of ability to hit lefty pitchers. Lou Piniella has always had depth on his roster, and is pushing GM Jim Hendry to acquire more. Speaking of Jim Hendry, he plans to meet with Carlos Zambrano's agents either tomorrow or Saturday to discuss a five year deal, probably in the ballpark of 90 million dollars.

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Matthews: I have never taken HGH

What did you expect him to say? "You got me." Yes this could be a mistake, but it took sixteen days for him just to make a statement. When the statement was made, the Angels front office was able to finally relax. "As long as this stuff's accurate and is what it is. As long as nothing else pops out, we're fine," Stoneman said. Matthews was suspected to have bought HGH over the Internet during the 2004 season, when it wasn't one of the illegal drugs banned by MLB's joint drug policy. Matthews, who signed a 50 million dollar deal this off season with the Angels, hit .313 with 19 HR and 79 RBI.

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New Project

Derrek Lee started a project last off season to help fight LCA across the world. The foundation is called Project 3000 and I was impressed by the immediate response of sports stars around the league. As of today, I have had about 270,000 people come to the site. So starting April 1st and ending May 1st, how ever many people come to the site, I will add that number to 270,000 and donate one dollar for every 1000 people that have come. So if 300,000 people come, that's 300 dollars. I hope you will all continue coming to the site and if you want to donate money yourself, check the side column for further information. Spread the word any way you can!

Eli

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O's Reach Extension with Roberts

The Baltimore Sun is reporting that the Orioles and Brian Roberts have reached an agreement on a two year extension worth 14.3 million dollars that will keep him with the Orioles through 2009. However, the contract has a limited no trade clause so he could be traded before the contract is up. "I said all along that it wasn't like I was losing sleep over it, but I am happy," said Roberts, 29. "I am excited that I will be here for the next three years. I am very grateful and I feel blessed that the organization would do this. I am excited with the group of guys that we have signed for the next three years. Hopefully, we can do something good for this city and this organization." Roberts batted .286 with 10 HR, 55 RBI, and 36 SB. Since 2001, Roberts has hit .280 with 40 HR, 250 RBI, and 136 SB, all with the Orioles.

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Benitez to Beantown? Lieber to Chicago?

After Armando Benitez pitched a scoreless inning on Sunday for the Giants, teams have started to inquire about his services. The Marlins have been interested, but talks will only continue if the Giants pay for most of his contract. Now, the Red Sox, who have an extremely weak bullpen, are interested. And the only way to keep their interest up is to keep playing him. Scouts clocked Benitez in the high 80s and low 90s; however, one scout noticed his lower half didn't seem totally right during his delivery. Benitez says he expects to be ready for Opening Day, wherever he is. "I've heard the rumors," Benitez said. "That's all right. I can't think about that. I just have to get myself ready. I know what I can do. When I'm healthy, there aren't too many people who can do what I do." Benitez, who went 4-2 with a 3.52 ERA and 17 SV, was often booed at AT&T Park and the Giants would probably have to either cover most of the salary to receive anything for him, or take a minor leaguer or two and allow the Red Sox to absorb the salary. Meanwhile, Jon Lieber appears to be the odd man out in the bullpen, with Garcia, Eaton, Moyer, Myers, and Hamels filling the spots. It would make sense for the Phillies to trade him not only to dump the 7.5 million he is owed, but because he is 36, and had his first losing record since 2002, which could show signs of aging. His velocity has slowed down as well, but he is throwing strikes and getting ground balls. The White Sox, who has recently inquired about Aaron Rowand, would try to snag Jon Lieber in the trade. Not only are the Phillies looking to trade both, but the White Sox appear more than willing to absorb the cash and offer a package of players, major and minor leaguers to acquire both. They have a very weak outfield with Brian Anderson in center, Podsednik in left, and Dye in right and it would make sense to replace Anderson with Rowand, and push Floyd to the 'pen to make room for the veteran Lieber. Phil Rogers suggests that the White Sox trade Mike MacDougal, Rob Mackowiak, and Josh Fields, along with another prospect for the pair of Phillies. Other teams that are interested in Lieber are the Cardinals, Astros, and Giants.

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Rockies Release Lopez

The Rockies announced today that they have released catcher Javy Lopez. Lopez, who was the odd man out behind Chris Iannetta, who is having a great spring, and Yorvit Torrealba. Lopez signed a one year deal worth 1 million dollars in the off season; however, not that he has been released, he does not think he will go anywhere else as a backup. "I don't think I'll go anywhere else as a backup. The way I feel, I can easily be an everyday catcher. If I'm not an everyday catcher, I'd rather not play this year or retire." Lopez batted .251 with 8 HR and 35 RBI with the Orioles and Red Sox.

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Cleveland Indians Shortstop Jose Reyes?

No, it could have been though. An official involved in discussions that sent Roberto Alomar, Danny Peoples, and Mike Bacsik to the Mets for Earl Snyder, Billy Traber, Matt Lawton, Alex Escobar, and Jerrod Riggan said that the Mets made low-A prospect Jose Reyes available. However, the Indians felt they did not have enough information on him and were content with taking Alex Escobar. All Indians fans can do now is scratch their heads. Why didn't they do it? Many Cubs fans will recall the trade that sent Dontrelle Willis, Jose Cueto, Julian Taveras, and Ryan Jorgensen to the Marlins for Antionio Alfonseca and Matt Clement. Now Alfonseca is fighting for a spot with the Phillies and Matt Clement is recovering from injury. Or when the Astros trade what they thought was a washed up prospect in Curt Schilling to the Phillies for Jason Grimsley. Curt Schilling is still successfully pitching and has a World Series title while Jason Grimsley is the subject of many steroid talks. All you can really say is "if they only knew".

NEW POLL
LAST WEEK'S WINNER: JACQUE JONES

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Jeromy Burnitz Retires

Jeromy Burnitz has decided to announce his retirement, his agent told ESPN. Burnitz has hit 315 career home runs with a .253 AVG with the Mets, Indians, Brewers, Dodgers, Rockies, Cubs, and Pirates. His agent Howard Simon said of the past two seasons that Burnitz was ready to go out and do it again. Burnitz was handed his worst season of his career hitting .230 with 16 HR and 49 RBI with the Pirates in 2006. His best year came with the Brewers in 1998 when he hit .263 with 38 HR and 125 RBI. He had one All Star appearance in 1999; but never made it into the post season.

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