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	<channel>		<title>RUWT? News - MLB</title>
		<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com</link>
		<description>RUWT? News - MLB</description>
		<language>en-us</language>
		<copyright>Copyright 2006-2007 areyouwatchingthis.com</copyright>
		<lastBuildDate>Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:42:52 GMT</lastBuildDate>
		<pubDate>Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:42:52 GMT</pubDate>
		<generator>RUWT?</generator>

		
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				<title><![CDATA[Padres select three players from Triple-A Portland]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[SAN DIEGO(AP) -- The Padres have selected right-hander Craig
Italiano, left-hander Steve Garrison and outfielder Chad Huffman
from Triple-A Portland.

Italiano was acquired from the Oakland Athletics along with
right-handers Ryan Webb and Sean Gallagher in the Scott Hairston
trade on July 5.

Italiano went 0-1 with a 1.44 ERA in 19 relief appearances with
Class-A Lake Elsinore after going 5-6 with a 5.63 ERA in 16
starts for Class-A Stockton in the A's organization.

Garrison went 1-2 with a 5.56 ERA while recording 32 strikeouts
in 13 games between rookie-Level Peoria, Class-A Lake Elsinore
and Double-A San Antonio. The lefty did not begin the 2009 minor
league season until June 25 after recovering from left labrum
surgery.

Huffman hit .269 with 20 home runs and 68 RBIs in 135 games for
Portland.

The Padres have 39 players on their 40-man roster.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/135810-Padres-select-three-players-from-Triple-A-Portland</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/135810-Padres-select-three-players-from-Triple-A-Portland</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:47:06 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Nationals top pick Strasburg won't need surgery]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[WASHINGTON(AP) -- The Nationals say No. 1 draft pick Stephen
Strasburg has a dislocation in his left knee joint and should be
fine for spring training.

Strasburg was examined Friday by Dr. Lewis Yocum in Los Angeles.
The Nationals say Strasburg will not require surgery, and that
treatment will include rest and physical therapy.

The San Diego State right-hander twisted his knee during a
workout Thursday and has been scratched from his start in the
Arizona Fall League championship game.

Strasburg also was held out of a scheduled start in the Arizona
Fall League Rising Stars game Nov. 7 because of a strained neck
muscle.

Strasburg signed a record $15.1 million contract after being the
top pick in June's amateur draft.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/135798-Nationals-top-pick-Strasburg-wont-need-surgery</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/135798-Nationals-top-pick-Strasburg-wont-need-surgery</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:49:15 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Rockies add 5 to 40-man roster]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[DENVER(AP) -- The Colorado Rockies have added four right-handed
pitchers and a catcher to the 40-man roster.

The Rockies now have 38 players on the roster with the additions
Friday of pitchers Alberto Alburquerque, Edgmer Escalona, Juan
Nicasio and Chaz Roe, along with catcher Michael McKenry.

All were in the minor leagues last season.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/135796-Rockies-add-5-to-40-man-roster</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/135796-Rockies-add-5-to-40-man-roster</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:35:34 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Pricey gift: MLB offers Series film set for $2,229]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[NEW YORK(AP) -- Major League Baseball has the perfect gift to bust
a budget in a recession.

A 20-DVD set of World Series films can be bought for $2,229, and
it contains authenticated autographs of 12 Hall of Famers,
including Yogi Berra, Bob Gibson, Reggie Jackson and Mike
Schmidt.

A limited edition run of 100 sets was put together by Major
League Baseball Productions, A&E Home Entertainment and Mounted
Memories, the companies said Friday.

There are 65 films from 1943-08 that run for more than 50 hours.
The package also has autographs from Johnny Bench, Gary Carter,
Bob Feller, Rollie Fingers, Carlton Fisk, Whitey Ford, Brooks
Robinson and Bruce Sutter.

MLB spokesman Jeff Heckelman said the set is also available
without the autographs for $179.99 on MLB.com and in stores with
a suggested retail price of $229.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/135779-Pricey-gift-MLB-offers-Series-film-set-for-2-229</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/135779-Pricey-gift-MLB-offers-Series-film-set-for-2-229</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:02:56 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Chicago White Sox close to deal with Omar Vizquel]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By RICK GANO
AP Sports Writer

CHICAGO(AP) -- The Chicago White Sox are closing in on a contract
agreement with free agent shortstop Omar Vizquel.

The deal could be announced as soon as Monday, according to a
person familiar with the negotiations who spoke on condition of
anonymity because the team has not commented.

Vizquel, who will be 43 in April, has played 21 major league
seasons. Last year he was in a utility role with the Texas
Rangers, playing shortstop, third base and second base while
appearing in 62 games. He batted .266.

Vizquel, who broke in with the Mariners in 1989, has long been
known as one of the game's best fielding shortstops. He's also
played for the Indians and Giants. He is a career .273 hitter
with 2,704 hits in 2,742 games.

Vizquel would give the White Sox depth and experience as a
backup in the infield where newly acquired Mark Teahen will play
third, Alexei Ramirez will be at short and Gordon Beckham will
switch from to second. Vizquel would play for fellow Venezuelan
Ozzie Guillen, who will be 46 in January.

Chicago had no comment on the deal Friday.

The imminent agreement was first reported by Foxsports.com

---=

AP Sports Writer Ronald Blum in New York contributed to this
report.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/135778-Chicago-White-Sox-close-to-deal-with-Omar-Vizquel</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/135778-Chicago-White-Sox-close-to-deal-with-Omar-Vizquel</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:34:31 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Cardinals announce season ticket pricing]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[ST. LOUIS(AP) -- St. Louis Cardinals season ticket prices are
increasing an average of 3 percent next year.

The club said Friday that nearly one-third of season ticket
holders will have no price increase and about half will see an
increase of $1 or less per ticket.

The Cardinals say most of the areas with price increases have
been flat since 2006. About a quarter of Cardinals tickets are
less than $20.

The Cardinals drew 3.3 million fans last season.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/135756-Cardinals-announce-season-ticket-pricing</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/135756-Cardinals-announce-season-ticket-pricing</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:17:35 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Nationals add McLaren, Lett, Radison as coaches]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[WASHINGTON(AP) -- Former Seattle Mariners manager John McLaren was
hired Friday as bench coach for the Washington Nationals, who
rounded out manager Jim Riggleman's staff by also adding Jim
Lett as bullpen coach and Dan Radison as first-base coach.

McLaren replaces Pat Corrales, Lett takes over for Randy Knorr,
and Radison replaces Marquis Grissom.

Hitting coach Rick Eckstein, pitching coach Steve McCatty and
third-base coach Pat Listach will keep their jobs with the
Nationals in 2010.

Riggleman was McLaren's bench coach with Seattle at the start of
2008, then replaced him as the team's manager when McLaren was
fired during that season.

McLaren was a special assignment scout for the Tampa Bay Rays in
2009.

Lett was a coach in Milwaukee's minor league system the past two
years and has been a bench coach for four clubs during 11 major
league seasons.

Radison was the minor league hitting instructor for St. Louis
the past three seasons.

Knorr is going to be the manager of Washington's Double-A
Harrisburg affiliate next season. Grissom was offered another
job within the Nationals organization but did not accept it.

Corrales will return to being a special consultant to general
manager Mike Rizzo. Corrales held that role before shifting to
the dugout when Riggleman was promoted from bench coach to
replace fired manager Manny Acta in July. Riggleman managed on
an interim basis through the end of last season, then was given
the permanent job last week.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/135708-Nationals-add-McLaren-Lett-Radison-as-coaches</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/135708-Nationals-add-McLaren-Lett-Radison-as-coaches</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:52:17 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Grabow gets $7.5 million, 2-year deal from Cubs]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By RICK GANO
AP Sports Writer

CHICAGO(AP) -- Pitcher John Grabow became the first of the 171
free agents to reach agreement on a new deal, getting a $7.5
million, two-year contract Friday from the Chicago Cubs.

The 31-year-old left-hander combined to go 3-0 with a 3.36 ERA
last season in a career-high 75 relief appearances with the
Pittsburgh Pirates and Cubs.

"I pretty much let everyone know before I left there that I
wanted to come back. It's a good situation for me and my
family," said Grabow, who said he has a house in Arizona where
the Cubs conduct spring training.

Staying in the NL Central and being with a veteran club were
also appealing for Grabow.

"It was kind of a no-brainer," he said.

He pitched 30 games and had a 3.24 ERA for the Cubs after he was
acquired on July 30 along with left-hander Tom Gorzelanny for
pitchers Jose Ascanio and Kevin Hart, and minor league infielder
Josh Harrison.

Selected by the Pirates in the third round of the 1997 amateur
draft, Grabow is 20-15 with six saves and a 4.03 ERA in 420
major league relief appearances with the Pirates and Cubs.

As one of the Cubs most experienced relievers, Grabow said he
has no preference what his role might be.

"If it's the sixth inning or if it's the ninth inning, it
doesn't matter. Your job is to go in there and get guys out," he
said.

Grabow said he'd been pitching with bone chips in his elbow for
about three years, but it hasn't been a major issue.

"Throwing a baseball for all these years your arm is going to
develop different things that are just part of the wear and
tear," he said. "It's something you learn to manage and I got a
routine I do every day before the game starts to prepare my arm
to be able to pitch that day."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/135689-Grabow-gets-75-million-2-year-deal-from-Cubs</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/135689-Grabow-gets-75-million-2-year-deal-from-Cubs</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:31:15 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[New-age stats shed light on old Cy Young votes]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By BEN WALKER
AP Baseball Writer

For so many years, the formula for winning a Cy Young Award was
pretty simple: Win a lot of games.

Denny McLain was a unanimous pick in 1968 and deservedly so. He
posted 31 victories - the combined total of this year's Cy Young
starters, Tim Lincecum and Zack Greinke.

A whopping win total, a good ERA and a bunch of strikeouts often
brought home the hardware.

But the perception of pitching has changed, with fans and voters
now relying more heavily on new-age stats such as WHIP (hits
plus walks per inning) and FIP (a designer equation that factors
out a team's defensive ability).

Pitchers have taken notice, too. Greinke talked about his
Fielding Independent Pitching after this week's win and Lincecum
pointed to his WHIP.

A look back at some Cy Young races and how they might've been
seen under modern light:

2005 AL: Bartolo Colon leads the league at 21-8 and takes the
award by a wide margin. Johan Santana is a distant third at
16-7, despite a better ERA (2.87 to 3.48), more strikeouts (238
to 157) and being the only starter in the AL with a WHIP under
1.00.

1998 NL: Tom Glavine takes the award as the league's only
20-game winner. Braves teammate Greg Maddux is way back in
fourth place with an ERA that's a quarter-run better. Maddux is
the lone NL pitcher with a WHIP under 1.00; Glavine isn't in the
top 10.

1996 NL: John Smoltz is the overwhelming pick with 24 wins and
276 strikeouts. Kevin Brown barely gets a look with 17 victories
- plus an ERA that's a full run better and a more impressive
WHIP.

1993 AL: Jack McDowell goes 22-10 with a 3.37 ERA for the White
Sox and is an easy winner. Kevin Appier is far back in third at
18-8 with a 2.56 ERA and a sizable edge in WHIP.

1990 AL: Bob Welch breezes on the strength of 27 wins for
Oakland. Roger Clemens is runner-up with 21 wins despite a 1.93
ERA that's a run under Welch's, more strikeouts and a better
WHIP.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/135710-New-age-stats-shed-light-on-old-Cy-Young-votes</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/135710-New-age-stats-shed-light-on-old-Cy-Young-votes</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:35:27 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Indians add 7 to 40-man roster]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[CLEVELAND(AP) -- The Cleveland Indians have added pitchers Kelvin
De La Cruz of Class-A Mahoning Valley and Jeanmar Gomez of
Double-A Akron and five other minor leaguers to their 40-man
roster.

The other additions announced Friday were infielder-outfielder
Jordan Brown and infielders Jason Donald and Wes Hodges of
Triple-A Columbus, and infielder Carlos Rivero and outfielder
Nick Weglarz of Akron.

De La Cruz went 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA in two starts at Class-A
Kinston and missed the rest of the regular season with a
strained left elbow. The 21-year-old left-hander later made
three starts for the Arizona Rookie League club in Goodyear,
Ariz.

Gomez, a 21-year-old righty, went 12-6 with a 3.30 ERA in 26
starts at Kinston and Akron.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/135680-Indians-add-7-to-40-man-roster</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/135680-Indians-add-7-to-40-man-roster</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:08:10 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Giants ace Lincecum wins second straight Cy Young]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By JANIE McCAULEY
AP Baseball Writer

SAN FRANCISCO(AP) -- Tim Lincecum has been so dominant in his
first two full major league seasons that even his top bosses
don't know how he can get much better.

Two NL Cy Young Awards, a pair of All-Star selections - all at
age 25.

Lincecum has a couple of ideas in that area: Grow up and make
better decisions personally, and pitch the San Francisco Giants
into the playoffs at last.

The hard-throwing right-hander figured the Cardinals' Chris
Carpenter was set to win this year's NL Cy Young award, but
Lincecum captured the honor Thursday for the second straight
year by the slimmest of margins.

"Where do we go from here? It's pretty awesome," Giants general
manager Brian Sabean said. "Obviously, a momentous day. Pretty
amazing, but that's what defines Timmy."

In one of the tightest votes in the history of the award, only
10 points separated the top three vote-getters. Carpenter was
second and St. Louis teammate Adam Wainwright finished third
despite getting the most first-place votes.

It's been quite a month for Lincecum, a 15-game winner in 2009
who led the league with 261 strikeouts and tied for top marks in
the NL with four complete games and two shutouts.

"I couldn't ever have seen this happening growing up," he said
during a news conference at AT&T Park. "I just came out lucky on
top."

At the same time, he is facing misdemeanor marijuana charges
stemming from a traffic stop in his home state of Washington on
Oct. 30. No questions regarding the incident were allowed, but
Lincecum apologized and acknowledged making a mistake while
reading a prepared statement. He also touched on the issue in a
roundabout way, saying, "it won't ever happen again and I
promise to become better in the future."

"I think a lot of growing up has to do with experiences you go
through, whether that be good or bad," Lincecum said, slightly
emotional. "There's different people who go through different
experiences that shape them. It's unfortunate also that you have
to go through the bumps, like I am going through, to get to
where you think you need to be. It's just about changing
yourself and looking for the right road to take instead of
making it hard on yourself."

In case he's in need of a morale boost, Lincecum's name is now
being mentioned in the same breath as other Cy Young
multi-winners - Randy Johnson, Greg Maddux, Sandy Koufax.

"I think he's one of those guys, I really do," Giants pitching
coach Dave Righetti said.

Lincecum, with nicknames of "Freak" and "Franchise" because of
his funky delivery and quick ascent to the big leagues, became
the first repeat winner since Johnson won four in a row from
1999-2002 with Arizona. The Big Unit won his 300th game in June
for the Giants and Lincecum leaned on him at times for
expertise.

Yet Lincecum has always done things his own way, from not icing
his arm to munching Philly cheesesteaks pregame and socializing
in the clubhouse before his starts. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound
Lincecum broke into the majors in May 2007 - less than a year
after being drafted with the 10th overall pick out of Washington
- with two top-notch pitches, but he's worked to develop a
changeup that is now his "go-to" pitch.

He has overpowered baseball's best hitters by defying physics
with his quirky delivery.

"He definitely is setting his mark in baseball," San Francisco
manager Bruce Bochy said. "It is remarkable at his age and how
young it is in his career how he has established himself as one
of the elite pitchers in the game."

Lincecum received 11 first-place votes, 12 seconds and nine
thirds for 100 points in balloting released by the Baseball
Writers' Association of America. Carpenter had nine firsts, 14
seconds and seven thirds to finish with 94.

Wainwright, who led the NL with 19 wins and 233 innings, had 12
first-place votes, five seconds and 15 thirds for 90 points.
Trevor Hoffman, who finished behind Tom Glavine in 1998, is the
only other player to get the most firsts and not win the award.

In winning the award a year ago, Lincecum went 18-5 with a 2.62
ERA and a majors-leading 265 strikeouts, remarkable numbers for
a fourth-place club that finished 72-90. The Giants stayed in
the playoff chase well into September this year, but missed out
for the sixth straight season. At 88-74, they won 16 more games
than in 2008.

Sabean, who said he wasn't "overly concerned" by Lincecum's
arrest, is prepared for what could be a lengthy arbitration
process with Lincecum this winter. The Giants aren't planning to
reward him with a longterm deal at this stage, but that has
nothing to do with Lincecum's legal trouble. Lincecum had a
$650,000 salary in 2009.

"I don't know if we ever grow up, as people, as professionals,"
Sabean said. "It's a process. I don't know if he's any different
from any young guy trying to make a name for himself, make a
living. Obviously the stakes are higher when you're Tim
Lincecum."

Lincecum went 15-7 with a 2.48 ERA in 32 starts and 225 1-3
innings. After winning his first Cy Young award, he wasn't
content.

"I think that just comes back to being a student of the game and
never settling," he said. "A lot of guys can just sit on things
they did. I could easily have sat on what I did last year and
just tried to bounce off it. I didn't. I just wanted to become
better. I got to be around guys like Randy Johnson, guys that I
looked up to when I was a kid."

---

AP Sports Writer Jay Cohen in New York contributed to this
report.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/135646-Giants-ace-Lincecum-wins-second-straight-Cy-Young</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/135646-Giants-ace-Lincecum-wins-second-straight-Cy-Young</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:17:17 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Diamondbacks acquire RHP Aaron Heilman from Cubs]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[PHOENIX(AP) -- Reliever Aaron Heilman was acquired Thursday by the
Arizona Diamondbacks from the Chicago Cubs for two minor league
prospects.

The 31-year-old right-hander was 4-4 with a 4.11 ERA in 70
appearances last season, striking out 65 and walking 34. He
spent six seasons with the New York Mets before he was traded to
Seattle last December, then was dealt to the Cubs the next
month.

Chicago gets 24-year-old left-hander Scott Maine and 23-year-old
infielder Ryne White. Maine, a sixth-round draft pick in 2007,
was a combined 4-5 with seven saves and a 2.90 ERA with Double-A
Mobile and Triple-A Reno last season. White, a fourth-round
draft pick in 2008, hit .266 with 58 RBIs for Class A Visalia.

The move is intended to bolster an Arizona bullpen that was just
one of many problems for the Diamondbacks last season.

Heilman has a career record of 26-37 with 10 saves and a 4.22
ERA in 375 career games.

The Mets traded him to Seattle last December in a three-way deal
involving Cleveland. Seven weeks later, the Mariners shipped him
to the Cubs for utility infielder Ronny Cedeno and left-hander
Garrett Olson.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/135614-Diamondbacks-acquire-RHP-Aaron-Heilman-from-Cubs</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/135614-Diamondbacks-acquire-RHP-Aaron-Heilman-from-Cubs</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:01:31 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Top pick Strasburg scratched from another start]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[WASHINGTON(AP) -- The Washington Nationals say No. 1 overall draft
pick Stephen Strasburg has a twisted left knee and is being
scratched from his start in the Arizona Fall League championship
game.

Strasburg was hurt during a workout Thursday, and an MRI exam
showed inflammation. He is scheduled to travel to Los Angeles on
Friday to be examined by Dr. Lewis Yocum.

The Nationals issued a news release saying Strasburg's injury
"is not considered serious."

The title game is Saturday.

Strasburg also was held out of a scheduled start in the Arizona
Fall League Rising Stars game Nov. 7 because of a strained neck
muscle.

The San Diego State right-hander signed a record $15.1 million
contract after being the top pick in June's amateur draft.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/135506-Top-pick-Strasburg-scratched-from-another-start</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/135506-Top-pick-Strasburg-scratched-from-another-start</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:53:19 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Diamondbacks acquire RHP Aaron Heilman from Cubs]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[PHOENIX(AP) -- Reliever Aaron Heilman was acquired Thursday by the
Arizona Diamondbacks from the Chicago Cubs for two minor league
prospects.

The 31-year-old right-hander was 4-4 with a 4.11 ERA in 70
appearances last season, striking out 65 and walking 34. He
spent six seasons with the New York Mets before he was traded to
Seattle last December, then was dealt to the Cubs the next
month.

Chicago gets 24-year-old left-hander Scott Maine and 23-year-old
infielder Ryne White. Maine, a sixth-round draft pick in 2007,
was a combined 4-5 with seven saves and a 2.90 ERA with Double-A
Mobile and Triple-A Reno last season. White, a fourth-round
draft pick in 2008, hit .266 with 58 RBIs for Class A Visalia.

The move is intended to bolster an Arizona bullpen that was just
one of many problems for the Diamondbacks last season.

Heilman has a career record of 26-37 with 10 saves and a 4.22
ERA in 375 career games.

The Mets traded him to Seattle last December in a three-way deal
involving Cleveland. Seven weeks later, the Mariners shipped him
to the Cubs for utility infielder Ronny Cedeno and left-hander
Garrett Olson.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/135422-Diamondbacks-acquire-RHP-Aaron-Heilman-from-Cubs</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/135422-Diamondbacks-acquire-RHP-Aaron-Heilman-from-Cubs</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:52:46 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Giants' Lincecum wins second consecutive Cy Young]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By JAY COHEN
AP Sports Writer

NEW YORK(AP) -- Talk about a freak - Tim Lincecum needed just 15
wins to bag another NL Cy Young Award.

Yup, throw out those old baseball cards. Wins and losses don't
mean much anymore when it comes time for voters to pick
baseball's best pitchers. It's all about WHIP, FIP, BABIP and
other lines of alphabet soup.

"It's turned into a game of complete numbers and statistics and
what people do with that," Lincecum said.

Lincecum won the Cy Young Award on Thursday for the second
straight year, emerging from one of the tightest votes in the
history of the honor to become the first repeat winner since
Randy Johnson.

Only 10 points separated the top three vote-getters. Chris
Carpenter was second and St. Louis teammate Adam Wainwright
finished third despite getting the most first-place votes.

Lincecum, nicknamed "The Freak" for his giant stride, led the NL
with 261 strikeouts and tied for the league lead with four
complete games and two shutouts.

The wiry right-hander attracts plenty of attention on the mound
with his shoulder-length brown hair and twisting delivery. But
it was his 15 victories - the fewest for a Cy Young starter over
a non-shortened season - that were really noticeable for the
award winner.

The 2009 honors for Lincecum and Kansas City Royals ace Zack
Greinke reflect a recent shift in how pitchers are evaluated.
The focus has changed to more developed statistics, including
some that even take into account team defense.

Greinke equaled the previous low of 16 wins for a non-shortened
season when he won the AL award on Tuesday. Afterward, he talked
all about FIP, a mathematician's dream that stands for Fielding
Independent Pitching.

Lincecum has his own favorite indicator.

"To say which one I look to the most, I would just say WHIP," he
said, referring to walks plus hits allowed per inning, "just
because you just limit the amount of baserunners that can hurt
you."

Lincecum is facing misdemeanor marijuana charges stemming from a
traffic stop in his home state of Washington on Oct. 30. No
questions were allowed about the incident in his conference
call, but he acknowledged making a mistake and apologized in a
prepared statement.

"I know that as a professional athlete I have a responsibility
to conduct myself appropriately both on and off the field," he
said. "I certainly have learned a valuable lesson through all of
this and I promise to do better in the future.

"I hope and expect that the matter will be resolved soon. In the
meantime I am focused on preparing for the 2010 season."

Lincecum received 11 first-place votes, 12 seconds and nine
thirds for 100 points in balloting released by the Baseball
Writers' Association of America. Carpenter had nine firsts, 14
seconds and seven thirds to take second with 94.

Wainwright, who led the NL with 19 wins and 233 innings, had 12
first-place votes, five seconds and 15 thirds for 90 points.
Trevor Hoffman, who finished behind Tom Glavine in 1998, is the
only other player to get the most firsts and not win the award.

"The guys I was going up against, Wainwright and Carpenter, had
tremendous seasons," the 25-year-old Lincecum said. "It was a
lucky one for me. I'll take them as I come I guess."

Two voters, Will Carroll of Baseball Prospectus and Keith Law of
ESPN.com, did not include Carpenter on their ballots. Carroll
had Wainwright in the top spot, Lincecum second and Arizona's
Dan Haren third. Law voted for Lincecum, Atlanta's Javier
Vazquez and Wainwright in third. Those were the only votes for
Haren and Vazquez.

The six-point gap between Lincecum and Carpenter is tied for the
third-closest in the NL since the ballot expanded to three
pitchers in 1970. The 10-point margin from first to third is the
second-closest for the NL ballot.

Lincecum, who had a $650,000 salary and is headed for a big
raise now that he's eligible for arbitration, did not have any
bonus provision for winning the award. Carpenter receives
$100,000 for finishing second, Wainwright $100,000 for winding
up third and Vazquez $70,000 for being voted fourth.

Lincecum teamed with Matt Cain to give the Giants a strong 1-2
punch at the top of their rotation, helping them stay in
contention all year in one of baseball's biggest surprises. He
went 15-7 with a 2.48 ERA in 32 starts and 225 1-3 innings.

Johnson, Lincecum's teammate this year in San Francisco, Greg
Maddux and Sandy Koufax are the only other NL pitchers to win
consecutive Cy Young Awards. Maddux (1992-95 with the Cubs and
Braves) and Johnson (1999-2002 with the Diamondbacks) each won
four straight, and Koufax was honored in 1965 and 1966 for the
Los Angeles Dodgers.

The 5-foot-11, 170-pound Lincecum made his major league debut in
2007 and is 40-17 with a 2.90 ERA in three seasons.

---=

AP Baseball Writer Janie McCauley in San Francisco contributed
to this report.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/135375-Giants-Lincecum-wins-second-consecutive-Cy-Young</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/135375-Giants-Lincecum-wins-second-consecutive-Cy-Young</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:28:33 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Rays add 3 to 40-man roster; activate Pena from DL]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.(AP) -- Minor league outfielder Desmond
Jennings and pitchers Jeremy Hellickson and Alexander Torres
have been added to the Tampa Bay Rays' 40-man roster.

The team also reinstated first baseman Carlos Pena from the
60-day disabled list on Thursday. He was sidelined most of the
final month of the season with two broken fingers on his left
hand.

Jennings hit a combined .318 with 11 homers, 62 RBIs and 52
stolen bases for Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham this
year.

The right-handed Hellickson was 9-2 with a 2.45 ERA for
Montgomery and Durham. The left-handed Torres was acquired on
Aug. 28 as part of the trade that sent pitcher Scott Kazmir to
the Los Angeles Angels.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/135476-Rays-add-3-to-40-man-roster-activate-Pena-from-DL</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/135476-Rays-add-3-to-40-man-roster-activate-Pena-from-DL</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:23:18 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Alomar hoping for election to Hall of Fame]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[TAMPA, Fla.(AP) -- Roberto Alomar has career numbers that compare
favorably with many of baseball's greatest second basemen. The
question is how will one memorable lapse impact his bid to make
the Hall of Fame.

On the ballot for the first time, the 12-time All-Star's resume
is impressive. He was a two-time World Series champion with
Toronto, and hit .300 with 210 homers, 1,134 RBIs and 474 stolen
bases in 17 seasons.

But his stats have often been overshadowed by an incident in
late 1996 when, after being called out on strikes, he spit in
the face of umpire John Hirschbeck.

Alomar and Hirschbeck grew close after that episode.

"We became real good friends," Alomar said Thursday. "He forgave
me and I hope all the other people forgive me. Sometimes, we as
human beings, we do stupid things. I regret doing that."

Alomar, relaxed and looking fit, visited with former big league
players and other participants at the New York Yankees' fantasy
camp. He was with his wife, and they are building a home in the
Tampa area.

"I'm married, raising a child, just happy and enjoying life,"
Alomar said.

One of Alomar's biggest Hall of Fame supporters is Hirschbeck.

"It's real special because I got to know not only him, I got to
know his family," Alomar said. "I got to spend more time with
him."

Away from the spotlight, Alomar has been teaching at youth
baseball camps and helped raise funds for adrenoleukodystrophy,
a disease that impacted two of Hirschbeck's sons.

Alomar was involved in an explosive lawsuit earlier this year in
which his ex-girlfriend alleged he made her have unprotected sex
even though he had AIDS.

The lawsuit was settled in May, and allegations against Alomar
were never corroborated. Alomar's attorney, Charles Bach, said
the suit was withdrawn voluntarily, but wouldn't say if his
client paid any money.

Coming from a baseball family - his father, Sandy Sr. played 15
years in the majors, and brother Sandy Jr. was a six-time
All-Star during a 20-year career - makes the Hall of Fame
consideration extra special.

"A goal for ballplayers, it's real tough to accomplish, is to
get to the Hall of Fame," Alomar said. "It would mean a lot. We,
as ballplayers, when they mention your name, that you can be
talked about being in the Hall of Fame, if I get there it will
be the end of the book. The greatest feeling of my life."

"I consider this a team effort if I make it because I didn't do
it by myself," he added. "I do it with the support of my family,
my Little League managers, everyone. All of the dreams from Day
One when you start playing the game of baseball."

After a five-year break, Alomar would like to get back into the
game.

"I would love to be involved," Alomar said. "When I left the
game it was tough. At the same time, I'm not the kind of player
to go out there and just play the game of baseball just to play
the game of baseball. I have too much respect for this game.
When I saw I was incapable of playing the way I could play, then
I decided to retire."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/135457-Alomar-hoping-for-election-to-Hall-of-Fame</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/135457-Alomar-hoping-for-election-to-Hall-of-Fame</guid>
				<pubDate>Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:41:44 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Selig: Some clubs lost money]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By RICK GANO
AP Sports Writer

CHICAGO(AP) -- Some teams lost money in 2009, baseball
commissioner Bud Selig said Thursday after the final owners
meeting of the year.

"There was no question about that," Selig said. "I don't think
the concerns have been ameliorated at all. I think the concerns
are still there because all these people have their own
economists."

Selig said final figures for this year are still being
calculated and everyone is living in the most difficult economic
times since the Great Depression. He declined to identify the
teams.

"I think of all the heartache that's in the world," Selig said.
"We live in this environment. We don't live in a bubble. And so,
I think the clubs in some areas have been hit a lot harder than
others."

Major League Baseball's average attendance dropped 6.7 percent
last season from an average of 32,528 in 2008 to an average of
30,350. Total attendance of 73.4 million was baseball's
fifth-highest.

"Given the economy, the fact that we drew 73.5 million people is
a testament to this sport's popularity and everything that has
been done is remarkable," Selig said.

With the free-agent market set to open Friday, teams and agents
are uncertain whether the economy will impact salaries.

"Revenues as a whole were flat at best and I think there's still
a lot of people, and obviously we're still focused on our fans,
that are still struggling," Angels owner Arturo Moreno said.

Moreno has two players who became free agents after helping the
Angels win the AL West: right-hander John Lackey and third
baseman Chone Figgins. The Angels have already kept Bobby Abreu,
agreeing to a $19 million, two-year contract.

Re-signing both Lackey and Figgins could be difficult.

"I think there's going to be X amount of players that are going
to probably get great contracts and I think there's a lot of
players that I think it's going to happen like last year, where
there are going to be good players available towards the end,"
Moreno said.

Selig said there was no discussion at the meeting of increasing
the use of video review by umpires, a subject that has been
debated following several missed calls during the postseason.

Owners also heard reports and welcomed new Chicago Cubs owner
Tom Ricketts.

"It was very interesting. Once again, just learning," Ricketts
said after emerging from the meeting.

The Cubs, who drew over 3 million fans again last season, had
the third-highest payroll at the beginning of last season behind
the New York Yankees and Mets.

"I'm not going to make any predictions on the economy. I think
we did OK as a team," Ricketts said.

Texas Rangers owner Tom Hicks is putting together a group of
local investors, including Hall of Fame quarterback Roger
Staubach, for a bid that would enable him to keep majority
ownership of the team.

Several other groups have been identified as potential bidders.

"I don't know what's going on," Selig said. "The bids are due
tomorrow and I'll be anxious then to see them."

Selig didn't say much about the St. Louis Cardinals' decision to
hire Mark McGwire as their hitting coach.

"Let's see how it all plays out. I've talk to Tony La Russa a
lot about it and I've talked to Bill DeWitt about it," he said,
referring to the Cardinals manager and owner.

McGwire, who hit 70 homers in 1998 and retired in 2001 with 583
for his career, became notorious when he refused to discuss the
past when testifying at a 2005 congressional hearing about
steroids.

Owners also heard reports on the annual civil rights game, the
World Cup, legislative affairs, baseball's Internet division,
the first-year MLB Network and the amateur draft.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/135370-Selig-Some-clubs-lost-money</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/135370-Selig-Some-clubs-lost-money</guid>
				<pubDate>Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:40:37 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Entire Angels coaching staff to return in 2010]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[ANAHEIM, Calif.(AP) -- Mike Scioscia's entire coaching staff will
be back with the Los Angeles Angels next season.

Bench coach Ron Roenicke, pitching coach Mike Butcher, third
base coach Dino Ebel, first base coach Alfredo Griffin, hitting
coach Mickey Hatcher, bullpen coach Orlando Mercado and bullpen
catcher Steve Soliz will return in 2010.

The Angels won their fifth AL West title in six years, then
swept Boston out of the division series before losing to the New
York Yankees in the ALCS.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/135396-Entire-Angels-coaching-staff-to-return-in-2010</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/135396-Entire-Angels-coaching-staff-to-return-in-2010</guid>
				<pubDate>Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:37:27 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Pettitte, Tatis file for free agency on final day]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[NEW YORK(AP) -- The Yankees' Andy Pettitte and the Mets' Fernando
Tatis have become the final players to file for free agency this
year.

The pair filed Thursday, the final day of the 15-day window
following the World Series.

A total of 171 players filed for free agency. They can start
negotiating financial terms with all teams starting Friday.

Pitcher John Lackey, and outfielders Matt Holliday and Jason Bay
head one of the weaker free-agent classes in recent years.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/135374-Pettitte-Tatis-file-for-free-agency-on-final-day</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/135374-Pettitte-Tatis-file-for-free-agency-on-final-day</guid>
				<pubDate>Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:55:22 GMT</pubDate>
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