The following includes picks, previews and MLB news from the time the Predictem site start through July of 2007. Enjoy! *Note: Some of the sportsbook specials listed have expired. To view current running specials, check out our sportsbook bonuses forum.
Mark Teixeira showed us all why the Braves traded for him after going yard in his debut along with 4 ribies. – 7/31
MLB Trades: The Texas Rangers sent 1B Mark Teixeira and LHP Ron Mahay to the Atlanta Braves for C Jarrod Saltalamacchia and minor leaguers SS Elvis Andrus, RHP Neftali Feliz, LHP Matt Harrison and LHP Beau Jones. The Braves also made a trade with the KC Royals acquiring reliever Octavio Dotel in exchange for righty starter Kyle Davies.
The Boston Red Sox were also busy Tuesday as they traded Joel Pineiro and cash considerations to the St. Louis Cardinals for a player to be named later and acquired hard throwing Eric Gagne from the Texas Rangers in exchange for Kason Gabbard and minor leaguers OF David Murphy and OF Engel Beltre.
In lesser name deals, the Padres acquired Morgan Ensberg from the Astros for cash/or player to be named later, the Dodgers acquired Scott Proctor from the Yankees in exchange for IF Wilson Betemit, the SF Giants acquired OF Rajai Davis and a player to be named later from the Pittsburgh Pirates for RHP Matt Morris.
Teixeira deal likely to go down shortly in which he’ll become a Brave.
Details to come soon. – 7/31
The Philadelpia Phillies have acquired staring pitcher Kyle Lohse from the Reds for LHP Matt Maloney. – 7/31
Twins trade 2B Luis Castillo to the NYM for 2 minor leaguers. Many fans are cooing that the Twins gave away a stud 2B for nothing. The truth is Castillo has knee problems and is on the backside of his career. Down on the farm, the Twins have been grooming Alexi Casilla who was called up to take Castillo’s spot in the lineup. The younger Casilla has good wheels as evidenced by his 19 steals this season and has great range in the field. 7/30
Today Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken were
officially inducted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. Both only
dawned one uniform during their long productive careers. Kudos to two of
the classiest players to ever play the game. – 7/29
Oh NO! Jose Canseco is shooting his mouth off again and claims to be releasing yet another one of his trashy books and this time he claims to have “stuff” on A-Rod. – 7/29
Tigers starter Kenny Rogers goes back on the DL. The injury is unrelated to his past blood clot issue which is good news. – 7/29
MLB Trades: Houston sends middle reliever Dan Wheeler to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for versatile utility man Ty Wigginton. The Astros didn’t waste any time in finding a spot for Wigginton as they have named him their starting 3B. In other trade news, the Reds and Tampa Bay have made a deal in which Tampa Bay sends Jorge Cantu, outfielder Shaun Cumberland and cash from the Devil Rays for LHP Brian Shackelford, RHP Calvin Medlock and future considerations. We think that TB was a bit premature in giving up on a young 25 year old Cantu. Time will tell.- 7/28
The big unit is done for the season and we may have seen him pitch his last game in the bigs as well. Randy Johnson will have surgery next Friday to repair a herniated disc in his back. Randy does however say he’ll be back next year. The jury is still out on that though. – 7/27
The Texas Rangers traded OF Kenny Lofton to the Cleveland Indians for C Max Ramirez. This is Lofton’s third tour of duty with the Indians. – 7/27
The Phillies traded for WhiteSox 2B Tadahito Iguchi to fill the void left by Chase Utley who is out with a busted hand. Tadahito is somewhat of an underrated player with some decent pop and should fill in well while Utley is out. – 7/27
Phillies 2B Chase Utley suffered a broken hand after being hit by a pitch. Word is he’ll be out for 4-6 weeks. – 7/26
Rumors out of Atlanta have the Braves are offering Jarrod Saltalmacchia, Matt Harrison and Elvis Andrus to the Rangers for Mark Teixeira. No official announcement has been made yet. – 7/26
Orioles SS Miguel Tejada to be activated Friday from the DL. – 7/26
Craig Biggio announces that he will retire at the end of the 2007 MLB season. Padres starter Chris Young leaves in the 2nd inning with an oblique strain. He is currently listed as day to day but it’s possible he may be in route to a trip on the disabled list. Mariners 1B Richie Sexson reportedly on the trading block. If the M’s had any takers, word is Raul Ibanez would move in to play first base and AAA phenom Adam Jones would be called up to start in left field. Angels starter Bartolo Colon goes on the DL with elbow problems. Orioles closer Chris Ray likely headed to DL with bone spurs. – 7/24
Red Sox dangling Coco Crisp in hope of getting some bullpen help
Sammy Sosa said to be on the trading block. – 7/15
Vladimir Guerrero wins the 2007 Home Run Derby. – 7/9
The Chicago Whitesox signed P Mark Buehrle to a 4 year contract extension.
– 7/8
Change of heart: In a surprise move, the Chicago Whitesox have pulled P Mark Buehrle off the trading block and are said to be interested in signing him to a long term contract.
The Boston Red Sox are said to be out of the running for Mark Buehrle. Rumors are that he is likely to land with the St. Louis Cardinals as he has expressed interest in wanting to play there in the past. – 6/25
The St. Louis Cardinals called up former flame thrower Troy Percival today. He will be working middle relief for the time being. – 6/25
Phillies starting pitcher Jon Lieber may be out for the season with a ruptured tendon in his foot. – 6/25
ESPN is reporting that former MLB closer “The Shooter” Rod Beck has died at age 38. R.I.P. Shooter, you were a hell of a pitcher in your prime. – 6/24
Royals void Milton Bradley trade after they find out he strained an oblique muscle in his last game before the trade. – 6/23
The St. Louis Cardinals have acquired pitcher Mike Maroth from the Detroit Tigers for a player to be named later. – 6/22
The Oakland A’s have announced that they’ve traded troubled outfielder Milton Bradley to the KC Royals for pitcher Leo Nunez. – 6/22
Ironman Miguel Tejada was placed on disabled list with wrist injury today. This ends his streak of 1152 games, the 5th longest streak in MLB history. – 6/22
White Sox starter Mark Buehrle is drawing big interest from both the Braves and the Mets with Atlanta being the front runner to make a trade for him. – 6/21
In a surprising move, the A’s sent OF Milton Bradley to the minors. He must have really done something to piss off A’s management! – 6/21
Joe Girardi turns down Orioles managerial job! – 6/21
Sammy Sosa goes yard for his 600th career HR. Is he a Hall of Famer? Vote here: Predictem MLB Forum – 6/20
Curt Schilling placed on the 15 day DL retroactive to June 19th.
The Chicago Cubs have traded Catcher Michael Barret to the San Diego Padres for backup catcher Rob Bowen and ML OF Kyler Burke. – 6/20
The Baltimore Orioles fired Manager Sam Perlozzo today. Dave Trembley will take over as interim head coach. Prospective Managers include Joe Girardi and Dusty Baker. – 6/19
MLB.com hires former ESPN announcer Harold Reynolds – 6/12
Rangers power hitter Mark Teixeira goes on DL with strained quad – 6/9
Cubs Manager Lou Piniella gets suspended four games for his tirade in which he kicked dirt on an umpire – 6/4
The Power of Betting MLB Underdogs – Win at less than a 50% clip and still show a profit! – 5/31
The strong get stronger. The Brewers call up rookie sensation Ryan Braun to take over the 3b position. This guy can really hit! – 5/25
After all the hype about Daisuke Matsuzaka and how his “super arm” lead him to so many complete games while pitching in Japan (72), he finally goes the distance for his first MLB complete game as he made the Tigers look silly in Monday baseball action. – 5/14
The Rocket (Roger Clemens) announces that he’s coming back as a Yankee and plans to be in uniform by mid-June. – 5/6
Mark Prior out for the season after he goes down once again to a shoulder surgery – 4/25
Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter out for 6-8 weeks with arthritis and an impingement in his right elbow. – 4/9
Ken Griffey Jr. will wear number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson on April 15th. MLB Commissioner Bud Selig has invited all Major Leagues to follow suit as well.
Bonds goes yard for his 735th career ding dong – 4/4
Mets vs. Cardinals Preview – 4/3
In a move that seems almost impossible to the ear, the Cubbies have sent SP Mark Prior down to AAA – 3/28
Roger Clemens said to be mulling over a return and states he’ll decide in a month or so – 3/28
Former MLB pitcher Ugueth Urbina sentenced to 14 years in prison for his involvement in an attack on workers on his family’s farm – 3/28
Red Sox closer turned start Jonathan Papelbon to return as closer – 3/23
Ken Griffey Jr. to play “RF” this season. Ryan Freel likely to play CF – 3/19
Former MLB commissioner Bowie Kuhn dead at age 80 – 3/16
Pete Rose admits that he used to bet on baseball “every night.” Rose claimed that it was ALWAYS on the Reds as well – 3/15
Jeremy Burnitz retires after 14 years of service. The slugger never did hit for a high batting average but did bang 315 dongs out of the park – 3/11
Mark Prior will make a minor league start after getting hit very hard in his first 2 MLB appearances this spring. Will he be on the farm on opening day? – 3/11
A’s OF Mark Kotsay to have back surgery. He’s expected to miss 8 to 12 weeks rehabbing – 3/8
Mark Prior debuts for the Cubs and gives up 3 earned in 1.1 innings – 3/7
Daisuke Matsuaka shuts out Marlins in three innings today – 3/7
The Angels are out of the Todd Helton sweepstakes. The Rockie slugger has noted that he would however accept a trade to: Boston, NYY, STL or the Braves. This info courtesy of Rotowire.com
Twins sign Catcher Joe Mauer to a 4 year 33 million dollar contract. Rumors are that they’ll be locking up Justin Morneau to something similar as well.
Sammy Sosa goes deep for the first time in a long time. Can he make the Rangers squad? Predictem.com says “yes” and figures him to hit 30+ at Arlington this year.
Phillies pitching phenom Cole Hamels looked good as he shut out the Yanks for 3 innings on Sunday. If your looking for a stud fantasy pitcher, this is your guy for a long time to come
Arizona is said to be giving Carlos Quentin, a minor league baseball standout, a shot to win a spot in the regular batting order. Between him and Conor Jackson the D-Backs have a very exciting young team.
Often injured Cubs starter Mark Prior is said to be looking good early on in spring training.
Roger Clemens has yet to sign however word is that he’ll only consider Hou, Boston or NYY