Tim Wakefield of the Boston Red Sox has been around forever. On Wednesday, the 42-year-old knuckleballer almost had his first career no-hitter. Wakefield had a no-hitter going until it was broken up in the eighth inning.
With five outs remaining before becoming the second oldest player in baseball history to throw a no-hitter, Kurt Suzuki of the Oakland Athletics got a single with one out left in the eighth inning. The Red Sox still easily went on to win by a final score of 8-2.
Wakefield ended up pitching a complete game while giving up four hits and two earned runs. He …read more

Orlando Cabrera, who was arguably the best free agent shortstop still available on the open market, has signed a deal with the Oakland A’s. The contract will pay him $4 million over the course of one season. The deal will become official once Cabrera passes a physical.
Last season, Cabrera played for the Chicago White Sox and hit .281 with eight homers and 57 RBI. The 34-year-old native of Colombia will step right into the starting shortstop spot for Oakland.
Cabrera gives Oakland a proven defensive player who has a history of being a decent-to-good hitter. His lifetime batting average is a …read more

Jason Giambi was once a feared hitter for the Oakland Athletics. If reports are true, he could very well end up heading back to Oakland via free agency.

The 37-year-old designated hitter spent the last seven seasons with the New York Yankees. Although he had some good moments, most Yankee fans consider his time in New York a disappointment. Part of the reason where the amazingly high expectation he had after signing with the Yankees as a free agent.
The last time Giambi was with the A’s, he was putting up fantastic stats. In 2001, Giambi finished his final year in Oakland …read more

Yesterday, we pondered where Rafael Furcal would sign. Today he made his decision. Furcal has decided to re-sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

After flirting with the Oakland Athletics and the Atlanta Braves, Furcal decided to stay right where he was. The contract is believed to be worth $30 million over three years — the exact offer he received from the Atlanta Braves. There’s also an option for a fourth year that will occur if Furcal meets certain performance marks.
By keeping Furcal, the Dodgers retain a big part of their team. Although Furcal missed a lot of action last season, he …read more

While there has been a lot of action in the baseball offseason, no case is as interesting as that of Rafael Furcal. He’s been linked to a number of teams and has even been rumored to have agreed to terms with a number of teams. But as of yet, he’s still available on the free agent market. Where will Rafael Furcal sign? Here are the most likely destinations:
Atlanta Braves
This is the latest rumor. While Furcal’s agent has confirmed the reports that the Braves are in the lead in negotiations, he has stopped well short of saying that a deal is …read more

The Philadelphia Phillies had a major need for a starting pitcher. The Oakland A’s seem to be rebuilding once again. When those two opposing forces met, it resulted in the A’s trading starting pitcher Joe Blanton to the Phillies for three minor leaguers.
Blanton came into this season with big expectations but he has struggled. So far in 2008, Blanton has a 5-12 record with an ERA of 4.96. Despite his struggles, he should strengthen the Phillies’ starting rotation.
In return, the A’s received Adrian Cardenas, Josh Outman and Matthew Spencer. Earlier in the month, Oakland traded …read more

The Chicago Cubs wanted C.C. Sabathia but Sabathia got traded to the Milwaukee Brewers. The Cubs consolation prize is a pretty darn good pitcher — Rich Harden, formerly of the Oakland Athletics.
In the trade, the Cubs got Harden and pitcher Chad Gaudin. In return, the Cubs sent Sean Gallagher, Matt Murton, Eric Patterson and Josh Donaldson to Oakland.
Harden has been a very good pitcher during his career. However, his major drawback is health. Harden being healthy has been a rare occurrence in recent years, having not started 20 games in a season …read more

Michael Inoa is a 16-year-old pitcher from the Dominican Republic who has scouts salivating. Inoa, who stands 6-foot-7 and weighs 210 pounds, is reportedly drawing interest from a number of teams including the New York Yankees, the San Diego Padres and the Oakland Athletics. However, it is the Athletics who are said to have the inside track.
Inoa reportedly has a 93 MPH fastball to go with a developing curve and change-up. Scouts believe that he has the ability to add between 2 and 4 MPH to his fastball. That amount of upside is enough for Oakland’s …read more

The bloggers for the b5media sports channel were asked to write a blog entry about a childhood sports memory. For me, when I think of childhood sports memories, there’s really only one that stands out.
I really started following baseball in the 1988 season. Both of my parents are Los Angeles Dodgers fans after growing up in Los Angeles. They’d watch Dodgers games here and there and I’d join them on the coach. I really didn’t understand much at first but I asked a lot of questions, and by the end of the year I …read more

Arizona Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks are young but amazingly talented. With great pitching, bashers at the plate and a solid manager, the Diamondbacks are for real. If Randy Johnson can return to 80% of his former self, he’d make Arizona the heavy favorite to represent the National League in the World Series.
Boston Red Sox
The reigning champs haven’t shown too many weaknesses so far this season. David Ortiz got off to a slow start but he’s playing well again. The pitching can only get better and the bats can only get hotter. You have to think the New …read more