12/04/2008 - Atlanta, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Atlanta Braves have acquired right-handed starter Javier Vazquez and left-handed reliever Boone Logan from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for four prospects.
Chicago will receive catcher Tyler Flowers, left-handed pitcher Santos Rodriguez and infielders Jonathan Gilmore Brent Lillibridge.
Vazquez, 32, posted a 12-16 record last season for Chicago with a 4.67 earned run average and 200 strikeouts in 208 1/3 innings. The Braves will become his fifth team, as Vazquez has pitched for the Expos, Yankees, Diamondbacks and White Sox over his 11 seasons in the major leagues.
"We went into this offseason knowing we had to get some key guys to fill out our rotation," said Braves general manager Frank Wren on Thursday. "This is the first big step, getting a guy that is so well-respected and has the ability to lead our young guys.
"That was really crucial for us, because this isn't just about this year or next year. This is about the next four or five years, with our young players that are developing. We only have Javy for two years at this moment, but I think his impact will be felt a long time."
A Puerto Rico native, Vazquez is under contract until 2010 and will make $11.5 million in each season. He owns a career mark of 127-129 with a 4.32 ERA in 355 games, all but two of which have been starts.
Logan, meanwhile, went 2-3 with a 5.95 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 55 relief appearances with Chicago last season and is 4-4 with a 5.87 ERA in 144 games over three seasons in the major leagues, all with the White Sox.
The 22-year-old Flowers was named to the Carolina League All-Star team a year ago after hitting .288 with 32 doubles, 17 home runs, 88 RBI, 98 walks and 72 runs scored in 122 games at Class-A Myrtle Beach.
Rodriguez, just 20 years old, was 1-2 with a 2.79 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 29 innings pitched with the Gulf Coast League Braves in 2008.
Gilmore, 20, combined to hit .294 with 24 doubles, four home runs and 35 RBI in 94 games with Advanced Rookie Danville and Class-A Rome in 2008. He was also named to the Appalachian League postseason All-Star Team after hitting .337 with four homers and 31 RBI at Danville.
Lillibridge spent most of last season with Triple-A Richmond, bating .220 with seven triples, four home runs, 39 RBI and 23 stolen bases in 90 games, all at shortstop. He also appeared in 29 games with Atlanta, batting .200 with one homer and eight RBI.
<< Mighty Bruins visit struggling Lightning
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Fresh off an amazing month, the powerful Boston Bruins will
play their first game of December when they visit the struggling Tampa Bay
Lightning for tonight's test at St. Pete Times Forum.
The Bruins caught the attention o
<< Caps aim to get on track versus Islanders
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The struggling Washington Capitals will try to avoid a
third straight loss when they invite the New York Islanders for tonight's
battle at the Verizon Center.
The Capitals, who lead the Southeast Division with 29 points, h
<< Flyers, Devils renew rivalry in City of Brotherly Love
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - An intense rivalry between Atlantic Division combatants is
on tap tonight in Philadelphia, as the Flyers welcome the New Jersey Devils to
the Wachovia Center.
The Flyers have won seven of their last nine games, while New J
<< Habs aim to extend win streak in test against Rangers
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Montreal Canadiens will shoot for their third straight
victory when they welcome the New York Rangers for tonight's battle between
Original Six teams at the Bell Centre.
The Canadiens are coming off victories over Buff
Keane resigns as Sunderland coach >>
Sunderland, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Roy Keane sensationally resigned as
Sunderland manager on Thursday after a little over two years in charge of the
Black Cats.
The 37-year-old Irishman had cast doubts over his future on Wearside
Rampage add Perrault, Zimmerman to roster >>
San Antonio, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Phoenix Coyotes have loaned center Joel
Perrault to their American Hockey League affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage,
it was announced on Thursday. The Coyotes also reassigned defenseman Sean
Zimmerm
Stenson leads Nedbank Challenge >>
Sun City, South Africa (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Henrik Stenson fired a nine-under 63
on Thursday to match the course record and take the first-round lead of the
Nedbank Golf Challenge.
Stenson matched Ernie Els' course record at the Gary Pla
San Jose recalls Cavanagh, sends Armstrong back to Worcester >>
San Jose, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Jose Sharks recalled winger Tom
Cavanagh from their American Hockey League affiliate, the Worcester Sharks,
and reassigned winger Riley Armstrong to the AHL club, it was announced on
Thursda
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BILLS (+10) at Steelers SPORTSBOOK LINES
It's impossible to gauge how a team will react after something like the Steve Everett situation, and it probably doesn't matter. That being said, the Bills are going to lose several games this year where they keep things close but fall short in the end to superior teams. Ben Roethlisberger and company could have a field day against Buffalo's decimated defense, but I like the Bills to cover.
BENGALS (-7) at Browns SPORTSBOOK LINES
All you can ask out of your NFL team is that it has a plan. You may not always agree with it as a fan, but as long as it appears the organization is going in some sort of direction, you have to go with it. Which brings us to the Cleveland Browns. You flip a coin to determine whether Chuck Frye or Derek Anderson should start the preseason opener. You start Frye in Week 1, but pull him in the first half. And then you deal him to the Seahawks for a sixth-round pick? Hmm... the Bengals could get six turnovers again this week.
COLTS (-7) at Titans SPORTSBOOK LINES
Tennessee signed ex-Colts cornerback Nick Harper in the offseason so that should help slow down Peyton Manning. Just ask Jason David and the Saints. Oh wait... One of these weeks, I'm going to learn to not pick against Tennessee, which has won seven of its last eight games. But it's not happening against Indy.
TEXANS (+6.5) at Panthers SPORTSBOOK LINES
Houston's Mario Williams, the first pick in the '06 draft, has more touchdowns than Reggie Bush after one week. Somehow I don't see that lasting. Meanwhile, Carolina bottled up what was expected to be a pretty high-octane offense in St. Louis in Week 1. Could this be the Panthers' defense everyone expected last year? Maybe. This feels like a 20-16 Carolina win.
RAMS (-3) vs. 49ers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Absolutely love this game. Everyone's favorite pick for this year's surprise team -- the 49ers -- laid an egg on Monday night (not that anyone was watching with the game ending in the middle of the night for those of us on the East Coast). St. Louis wasn't much better, delivering a lackluster effort against the Panthers that included two Steven Jackson fumbles and panic from his fantasy owners. Jackson rebounds this week, and the Rams get their first win.
PACKERS (+1.5) at Giants SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Do you really trust this guy to win an NFL game if Eli Manning can't go? I say no. I'd feel alot better about this Packers team if it had any semblance of a running game, but I still think Green Bay's defense is good enough to give it a 2-0 start.
JAGUARS (-10) vs. Falcons SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Does it scare me to pick Jacksonville to cover a double-digit spread after it scored just 10 points last week against the Titans? Absolutely. But can I bring myself to pick Atlanta under any circumstances? No. Check out this poll on ajc.com. It asks what Atlanta's most urgent deficiency is: offense, defense, specials teams or all of the above. "All of the above" has 57 percent of the votes. Ouch.
SAINTS (-3) at Buccaneers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
I'm picking way too many road teams this week. Oh well. New Orleans has had some time to reflect on its lackluster showing in the opener, and the Buccanneers just aren't a very good football team. Anyone else surprised Tampa Bay hasn't made a move to sign Byron Leftwich? I thought that's what they do.
VIKINGS (+3) at Lions SPORTS BETTING LINES
Run the ball and stop the run. Minnesota can do both, and that will keep them in a lot of games this season. Even though it was only one week, Adrian Peterson looks like he was a steal at No. 7 in last year's draft. Not only will he produce, but Peterson delivers excitement to what otherwise would be one of the league's most boring teams.
DOLPHINS (+3.5) vs. Cowboys SPORTS BETTING LINES
Lost in the Tony Romo lovefest is just how bad the Cowboys' defense was last week. I know they're banged up, but Dallas' 'D' allowed 438 yards to the Giants' offense, and backup running back Derrick Ward averaged 6.8 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Cam Cameron's decision to split carries between Ronnie Brown and Jesse Chatman sounds about as can't-miss as Larry David's plan to show up to Marty Funkhouser's party a night late. Still, gotta go with Miami to cover at home.
SEAHAWKS (-2.5) at Cardinals SPORTS BETTING LINES
I'm probably missing something, but this game seems too easy. Arizona blew Monday night's game against the 49ers in typical Cardinals fashion, and the Seahawks beat Tampa Bay by two touchdowns. Love Seattle in this one.
BRONCOS (-9.5) vs. Raiders SPORTS BETTING LINES
Special teams was a major story line in Week 1. Take a look at the Broncos. They had to rush on to the field to get a Jason Elam field goal as time expired against the Bills. Denver drove into Buffalo territory on eight of 10 drives but came away with just a pair of field goals and a touchdown. Look for more scoring from the Broncos this week against an Oakland defense that gave up 36 points to Detroit in Week 1.
BEARS (-12) vs. Chiefs SPORTS BETTING LINES
Everyone talks about Rex Grossman when dissecting the Bears' offense, but Chicago's quarterback got no help in last week's loss to the Chargers. Meanwhile, Kansas City confirmed what we all thought while watching Hard Knocks: The Chiefs are going to stink this year. It could be a rough first month for Larry Johnson fantasy owners. Kansas City's RB was limited to 43 yards on 10 carries in Week 1, and the Chiefs face the Bears, Vikings and Chargers the next three weeks, all formidable run defenses.
RAVENS (-10) vs. Jets SPORTS BETTING LINES
A big dose of Willis McGahee and a usual sound defensive effort will give the Ravens their first win. According to Football Outsiders, no team in the NFL rushed only three defenders on pass plays last year more than the Jets. And according to my special Jets correspondent Ben Stauber, New York did the same in Week 1. Whoever starts at quarterback for the Ravens should have all day to throw.
PATRIOTS (-3) vs. Chargers SPORTS TRASH TALK
Friends and I were discussing how Bill Belichick goes about paying his $500,000 fine for cheating. Does he just write one check to the NFL? Do you need some sort of clearance to make such a monstrous financial transaction? I guess I shouldn't complain about the security deposit I have to put down on my new apartment. Anyway, two of the league's best teams square off in what should be a good one Sunday night. The Patriots always respond well just when you think they're in trouble. And their offensive attack was the story in Week 1.
Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting.
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