Either Nationals or Cubs will sign Capps

It is said free agent right-hander Matt Capps will sign with either the Cubs or Nationals, according to his agent Paul Kinzer. "Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo has done a great job this offseason," Kinzer said. If Capps joined the Cubs, he would become a setup man. If the Nationals acquire him, Capps would battle Brian Bruney for the closer role.
But Capps said it didn't matter what role he had if he joined the Nationals. "If it's better suited for me to set up for the team in the seventh inning or eighth inning, that's what I'll do," Capps said. "If they sign me and tell me they want me to play shortstop, I'll play shortstop. I want to win. I want to be in an environment where winning is important. All signs are looking good with what they are trying to do so far."

Capps has spent his five-year career with the Pirates, collecting 67 saves while posting a 3.61 ERA in pirates jersey. He was non-tendered by Pittsburgh on Dec. 12.

Pirates are now negotiating with free agents

The Pirate recently are taking a look at some veteran to fill their ninth-inning vacuum. Attributing a source, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that the Pirates have had several discussions with free-agent reliever Kevin Gregg. The newspaper disputed the sourced report that an offer was made to Dotel, but said there were discussions.

In 72 games for the Cubs in 2009, Gregg was 5-6 with a 4.72 ERA and 23 saves in his cubs jersey. Also Dotel was 3-3 with a 3.62 ERA in 62 games for the White Sox last season.

Decker is named to lead Fresno Grizzlies

Former Major League catcher Steve Decker has been named manager of the Giants' Triple-A affiliate Fresno Grizzlies.
Decker, who is considered a managerial candidate for the Major Leagues will be joined in Fresno by beating coach Ken Joyce, pitching coach Pat Rice and trainer Anthony Reyes. Decker has progressed quickly through the Giants farm system, having managed at Salem-Keizer in 2005, Class A San Jose in 2008 and Double-A Connecticut in 2009, where he reached the Eastern League finals. He previously served as Triple-A batting coach.

Decker played seven seasons in the Major Leagues, four as the catcher in the giants jersey. Joyce takes over for Hensley Muelens, who was promoted to Major League batting coach. Rice returns as pitching coach for a second season. He previously spent 13 seasons in the Seattle system.

Astros and Duchscherer agree on 2010 deal

Free agent Justin Duchscherer will be returning for a seventh season with the Oakland Astros, agreeing on a one-year deal that could be worth $5.5 million if he reaches his incentives. According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, the base salary of the deal is for $2 million with incentives for number of starts and innings pitched. The right-hander made the move from the bullpen to the starting rotation in 2008. He finished with a 10-8 record and a 2.54 ERA over 22 starts, giving up just 107 hits over 141 2/3 innings while striking out 95.

But Duchscherer did not pitch in 2009 after undergoing elbow surgery. Duchscherer figures to challenge for a spot in the A's 2010 starting rotation in the astros jersey, battling with a group of young arms, including Dallas Braden, Trevor Cahill, Gio Gonzalez, Brett Anderson, Josh Outman and Vin Mazzaro.

Predators' Dan Ellis will appear on NHL Live!

It is reported that Nashville Predators goaltender Dan Ellis will be among the guests on NHL Live! on Monday, scheduled from noon-2 p.m. on NHL Network and NHL.com and broadcast on XM Radio. Ellis, who is a former second-round pick of the Dallas Stars, is 6-5-1 with a 2.77 goals-against average for the Predators this season.

Also scheduled to appear to speak with co-hosts Rob Simpson and E.J. Hradek are TSN analyst Bob McKenzie and CBC color commentator Craig Simpson. NHL Live! is broadcast from the NHL Store Powered By Reebok in New York City.

Royals acquire Humber to Minors deal

The Royals announced that the club have agreed to termed with right-handed pitcher Philip Humber on a Minor League contract for the 2010 season. Now He becomes the eighth non-roster pitcher to receive an invitation to Kansas City's Major League spring camp. Humber has spent the past two seasons in the Twins organization and was part of the five-player trade that sent pitcher Johan Santana to the Mets.

Humber was the Mets' first-round selection in the 2004 First-Year Player Draft. Currently playing winter ball with Leones de Ponce, Humber is 2-3 with a 4.19 ERA in seven games. He is allowed 34 hits while striking out 29 and walking 12 over 34 1/3 innings. Hope to see him playing on the field in the royals jersey.

Philles add Ross Gload to bench

It is reported that Ross Gload has passed his physical in Philadelphia to finalize a two-year contract with the Phillies. And it is said that he will make $1 million in 2010 and $1.6 million in 2011. Gload hit six home runs and 30 RBIs in 125 games last season with the Florida Marlins. He becomes the final piece on a Phillies bench that includes infielder Greg Dobbs, outfielder Ben Francisco, catcher Brian Schneider and infielder Juan Castro.3.

Gload is a career .300 pinch-hitter, which is the highest average for any active pinch-hitter with 140. Now Gload, who hits left-handed, is known as a fine defensive first basemen, but he can also play the outfield. Now it is time for us to put on the phillies jerseys and support him.

Padres give invitation to Denorfia

The Padres announced that they signed outfielder Chris Denorfia to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training. Denorfia has a .279 batting average in 208 Major League at-bats with Cincinnati and Oakland. Last season, Denorfia spent most of the season with the Oakland's Triple-A Sacramento affiliate, hitting .271 with nine home runs and 15 stolen bases. Denorfia got 120 at-bats with the Reds during the 2006 season in the reds jersey.

The Padres like Denorfia's versatility and that he can play all three outfield positions. There will be plenty of competition for jobs in the outfield in Spring Training. If there is nothing else, the addition of Denorfia will give Padres outfield depth in Triple-A Portland.

Burke meets with five NHL GMs

Toronto Maple Leafs GM Burke, who is also the GM for Team USA, met with the five other NHL GMs who make up the selection committee. Burke is confident about the majority of America's 23-man roster is in place, with the 2010 Olympic Games just two months away. But there are still decisions to be made. "Canada can be wrong on three or four players and it's not going to change their team." Burke told The Globe and Mail in Toronto.

Team USA's roster will be named at Fenway Park on Jan .1 during the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic. Many fans believe Canada will win the gold medal on home ice. "Every time in this tournament will be bet on Canada and Russia," Burke said. "No one is betting on us and that's okay. But we're there to win."

Rangers sent Gilroy to AHL

It is reported that New York Rangers defenseman Matt Gilroy, who made the team in his first NHL training camp after a successful college career, was sent to the American Hockey League affiliate. Gilroy had 4 goals and 6 point in 30 games in his new york rangers jersey this season, but he doesn't have a point in his last four games.Gilroy also was beaten by Dustin Byfuglien on the game-winning goal.

Signing Gilroy last season was considered a major role for the Rangers. He was a highly sought after college free agent following four strong seasons at Boston University. He had 8 goals and 37 points in 45 games with the Terriers last season, and won the Hobey Baker Award as the NCAA's best player.

Rick DiPietro will miss his start

It is reported that New York Islanders goaltender Rick DiPietro will miss his scheduled start for the AHL's Bridgeport Sound Tigers after experiencing tightness during a game in Springfield last week. DiPietro removed himself from the game after the second period.

"Ricky has been seen by the team doctors and most recently a specialist," Islanders GM Garth Snow said on the team's Web site. "To make sure we are taking the proper steps in his rehabilitation, we will seek an additional opinion and should have a timeline by the end of the week." The Islanders hoped DiPietro would be back in his islanders jersey with the big club by the weekend.

Parra got injured in the Winter League

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Gerardo Parra injured his left leg on Tuesday while playing with Aguilas del Zulia in the Venezuelan Winter League. He suffered a torn muscle in his thigh during a game against Tiburones de La Guaira. According to D-backs officials, Parra will travel to Phoenix, and he will be evaluated by the team's medical personnel.

Parra has expressed a desire to return to the team, but whether he can come back or not belongs to the D-backs and their medical team. Parra was batting .338 with 24 hits in 17 games, with three doubles in his diamondbacks jersey.

Arredondo will miss 2010 season

The Angels confirmed on Friday that the reliever Jose Arredondo will have Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in January and will miss the entire 2010 season. The right-hander continued his high strikeout rate in 45 innings last season.
He began the season with the Angels but was sent down to Triple-A Salt Lake on June 10 after carrying a 5.55 ERA through his first 25 appearances in his mlb jersey.

Then he was placed on the disabled list with a sprained ligament in his elbow but appeared to get back on track in 19 appearances with the Bees and was called up in August. Arredondo struggled with the Angels and had a 6.53 ERA and was ultimately left off the postseason roster. He pitched in the Dominican Winter League this offseason with Aguilas Cibaenas, throwing 2 2/3 innings before being shut down last week because of the discomfort in his elbow.

Atkins left Rockies

The Rockies parted ways with Atkins, who hit .226 in 2009 and lost his starting position to Ian Stewart. Atkins, who made $7.05 million last season, was the only arbitration-eligible Rockies player the club did not tender a contract offer before Saturday. The Rockies reached a three-year agreement this week with catcher Chris Iannetta.

The club also discuss multiyear deals with relief pitchers Rafael Betancourt and Huston Street, as well as second baseman Clint Barmes, and one-year deals with starting pitchers Jorge De La Rosa and Jason Hammel, relief pitcher Taylor Buchholz and outfielder Ryan Spilborghs. If they can not reach terms on a contract, their 2010 salaries will be set early in Spring Training. Well fans will not see Atkins playing in his rockies jersey anymore.

Capitals claim Chris Bourque off waivers

According to the Washington Capitals, the team have claimed forward Chris Bourque off waivers from the Pittsburgh Penguins and assigned him to the AHL's Hershey Bears. Bourque returns to the Washington organization after recording 3 assists in 20 games this season for the Penguins in pittsburgh penguins jersey.

Bourque was the Capitals’ second-round choice in the 2004 Entry Draft and has scored 1 goal in 12 career games with Washington. He has played four seasons with the Bears and helped Hershey win the Calder Cup in 2006 and 2009. Last season, he scored 21 goals and 52 assists in 69 games in the Hershey scoring race with 73 points. Bourque tallied five goals and 16 assists in 22 playoff games.

Carcillo is suspended for four games

The National Hockey League announced that Philadelphia Flyers forward Daniel Carcillo has been suspended for four games without pay, for a deliberate blow to the face of Washington Capitals forward Matt Bradley during December 5's game in Washington. The incident took place at the first period. Bradley suffered an injury and did not return to the game.

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Carcillo will forfeit $43,597.56. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund. Carcillo will miss games Dec.7 at Montreal, Dec.8 against the New York Islanders, Dec.10 against Ottawa and Dec.12 at New Jersey. He will be eligible to return on Dec.14 at Boston in the flyers jersey.

Flyers' Emery will have surgery

The Philadelphia Flyers announced that goaltender Ray Emery will undergo surgery to repair a torn muscle in his lower abdomen and he is expected to miss six weeks. Dr. William Meyers, from Hahnemann University Hospital will perform the surgery.

Emery has made 21 appearances with the team in his flyers jersey this season. Johan Backlund has been called up from the AHL's Adirondack Phantoms.

Diamondbacks outright Newby and Carlin

The D-backs club confirmed that they have outrighted pitcher Kyler Newby and catcher Luke Carlin to Triple-A Reno last week. The move takes the pair off the 40-man roster.

Newby was with a 3.99 ERA in 42 games for Double-A Mobile this season and was impressive in big league camp last spring. Carlin hit .321 with 17 doubles, seven homers and 35 RBIs for Reno last year. He had 21 appearances at the big league leve in diamondbacks jersey. Both of them have the right to refuse their assignment and may become free agents.

Tribe declare 2009 team awards

The Baseball Writers' Association of America has announced its annual Indians award winners yesterday. The association selected Shin-Soo Choo as the Tribe's Man of the Year for the consistent production he provided in the Indians lineup in his indians jersey.

Choo is a first-time winner of the Man of the Year honor. He batted .300 with 20 homers, 38 doubles and 86 RBIs in his first league season. Carroll won the Good Guy Award for the leadership he provided in the Tribe clubhouse and his accessibility with the media. Travis Hafner and Aaron Laffey were also nominated.

Forward Kaleta is suspended for two games

The National Hockey League announced that Buffalo Sabres forward Patrick Kaleta has been suspended for two games without pay, due to an incident happend in the game against Philadelphia Flyers forward Jared Ross on Friday.

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and based on his average annual salary, Kaleta will forfeit $5,414.50, which goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund. Kaleta will miss the following game against Carolina at Toronto. Will he come back to the ice in his buffalo sabres jersey on time?

Blackhawks continue to sign Kane, Toews and Keith

According to a report, the Chicago Blackhawks have called a press conference on Thursday afternoon at the United Center. The team will announce the signings of Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith to multi-year contract extensions.

Toews and Kane will sign five-year contract extensions, while Keith has agreed to a 13-year deal, according to this report. This press conference will be seen on the Blackhawks' web site. All the Blackhawks fans will feel grateful to watch them playing on the ice again in chicago blackhawks jerseys.