First of all, the Rangers aren’t convinced that Lowell is healthy. While the hip that he had surgery on last season doesn’t seem to be an issue, his thumb is another matter. Lowell hurt his thumb near the end of last season and The Boston Globe is saying that the Rangers have reservations about the thumb.

Another issue may involved Bud Selig. Since the Red Sox are reportedly giving the Rangers nearly $10 million to complete the trade, the commissioner needs to okay the deal. While it may just be a formality, there’s no indication that Selig has given his stamp of approval.

If the trade gets reversed, look for the Red Sox to try to trade him elsewhere. Lowell doesn’t fit in their 2010 plans and they are obviously willing to do what it takes to send him to another team.

Will Mike Lowell be running back to Boston? (Image: Zuma Press)

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Will the Mike Lowell Trade Get Reversed?

1. Matt Holliday
Although his time with the A’s may lower his stock a bit, he’s still a very productive player who still has upside.

2. Jason Bay
When it comes to hitting, Jason Bay likely is the free agent most likely to shine next season.

3. John Lackey
He’s not a big name but John Lackey is a starting pitcher a team can count on to produce when the lights are shining bright.

4. Aroldis Chapman
The Cuban defector has huge potential but also a lot of question marks. Who will pay to roll the dice?

5. Andy Pettitte
Andy Pettitte is a big game pitcher who isn’t afraid of any situation. A playoff team would love to have him.

6. Joel Pineiro
Last season, Joel Pineiro was very good. However, teams will wonder if he can keep it up.

7. Orlando Hudson
Orlando Hudson played well for the Dodgers last season but there are signs of decline.

8. Chone Figgins
When it comes to leadoff hitters, Chone Figgins in the best on the market.

9. Rafael Soriano
A team that needs a closer should take a long look at Rafael Soriano. When healthy, he’s elite.

10. Randy Wolf
For depth in a starting pitching rotation, Randy Wolf is a great arm to have in the mix.

Matt Holliday is the best of the best free agents (Image: Zuma Press)

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Top Ten MLB Free Agents

Sgt. Roger Griggs of the Denton Country Sheriff’s office: “She said he was complaining of being depressed and contemplating suicide.”

Wetteland might be best known for his stint with the New York Yankees. In fact, Wetteland was named the MVP of the 2006 World Series. Few remember that it was Wetteland and not Mariano Rivera who closed games for the Yankees that season.

Other than the Yankees, Wetteland also pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Montreal Expos and the Texas Rangers. In his career, he posted an ERA of 2.93 to go along with 330 saves.

UPDATE: John Wetteland released a statement saying that his hospitalization was due to a medical reason and not related to him contemplating suicide.

Said Wetteland: “Thank you for your concerns. My wife and I are very appreciative of the over and above care of our local officers and paramedics. The circumstances leading to my elevated blood pressure and heart rate have been addressed. I am currently resting safely at home.”

John Wetteland Allegedly Contemplated Suicide (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

John Wetteland Contemplated Suicide

Image: Zuma Press

A familiar face was back in the mix too. 35-year-old Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter became the second-oldest player honored at the position. This was Jeter’s fourth Gold Glove award and his first since 2006. Jeter committed only eight errors in 554 chances on the season. The league’s other eight shortstops with more than 500 chances averaged 17 errors.

The other 2009 AL Gold Glove Winners included Twins catcher Joe Mauer, Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira and Tigers second baseman Placido Polanco.

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Ichiro, Hunter Win Ninth Gold Gloves

If the Dodgers had a choice, they probably would have liked Ramirez to opt out. The 37-year-old wasn’t too dominant last season. He hit .290 with 19 homers and 63 RBIs. The most noise he made was when he was suspended for testing positive for PEDs.

Ramirez also angered a lot of people with his antics — as is usually the case. As the saying goes, it’s just Manny being Manny.

Going into the 2010 baseball season, the Dodgers will hope that they get a season out of Ramirez like they saw in 2008. After being acquired via trade from the Boston Red Sox, Ramirez was very good.

In free agency, Ramirez might have scored a big deal from an American League team. That said, baseball clubs might have been scared off by all the baggage that Ramirez’s back comes with.

Manny Ramirez to return to the Dodgers (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

Manny Ramirez to Return to the Dodgers

The problem with Matsui winning the MVP is that he is the team’s DH and didn’t have much of a role in the three games played in Philadelphia. How can a player be an MVP of a six-game series in which he only started three games?

Damon, on the other hand, was a pain in Philadelphia’s side the whole series. When history looks back on the 2009 World Series, the play that will be remembered is Damon’s double steal in Game 4. Without that play, it could be the Phillies who are celebrating.

What didn’t help Damon’s cause is that he was forced to leave Game 6 due to a calf strain. Without Damon out of the lineup and Matsui having one of the best World Series outings of all time, the voting was obviously effected. Where the voters wrong?

I think so.

Should Johnny Damon have been the World Series MVP? (Image: Zuma Press)

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Johnny Damon the Real World Series MVP?

Akinori Iwamura, who was Tampa Bay’s everyday second baseman in 2008 when the team made a run to the World Series, was traded to the Pirates for Jesse Chavez, a relief pitcher. Iwamura will likely become Pittsburgh’s everyday second baseman.

In 2009, Iwamura’s season was cut sure due to a knee injury. The 30-year-old native of Japan hit .290 with 22 RBIs and 28 runs in 231 at-bats. In 2008, he hit .274 with six homers, 48 RBIs, 91 runs and an on-base percentage of .349.

Chavez pitched in 73 games last year for the Pirates and posted a 4.01 ERA. It was the 26-year-old’s first full season in the big leagues.

The Rays were able to trade Iwamura since Ben Zobrist emerged as a potential star at second base last year after Iwamura’s injury.

Akinori Iwamura is the new second baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates (Image: Zuma Press)

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Akinori Iwamura Traded to the Pirates

Usually hitting isn’t a problem for the Rangers. Pitching, according to the team’s history, is usually the problem. But this year, the pitching was better than expected but the hitting let the team down. In fact, the Rangers scored less than they did in any of the last 15 seasons. They also posted a low batting average and on-base percentage.

Who will be the next hitting coach of the Texas Rangers? The team has narrowed their list of prospective hires down to four names — Rusty Greer, Clint Hurdle, Thad Bosley and Gerald Perry.

Greer, the fan favorite, hit better than .300 for his career. Hurdle had very good success as a hitting coach for the Colorado Rockies. Bosley was last with the Oakland A’s, while Perry coached with the Chicago Cubs last season.

Josh Hamilton and the Rangers are looking for a hitting coach (Image: Zuma Press)

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Rangers to Select a Hitting Coach Soon

The Yankees went with C.C. Sabathia in Game 4 on only three days of rest and will do the same with Burnett in Game 5. In Game 2, Burnett pitched seven innings and allowed only four hits and one earned run while striking out nine batters.

While most major league pitchers struggle on only three days of rest, Burnett actually has a good history in this situation. In four starts on short rest, he has a 2.33 ERA and earned a win in each of the four contests.

The Phillies will counter with Cliff Lee. Lee, who won Game 1, has been amazing in the playoffs so far. He has a 0.54 ERA in four starts in the playoffs. In Game 1, he went nine innings and didn’t allow an earned run.

AJ Burnett will start Game 5 (Image: Zuma Press)

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A.J. Burnett to Start in Game 5

Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays struggled at the plate a bit in 2009. Bat Burrell as the team’s DH was a flop. The Rays could decide to trade Burrell for Bradley and live with his antics.

Los Angeles Angels
The Angels had a very good year and featured a dynamic batting order. But with a few of their players aging — namely Vladimir Guerrero — they could see Bradley as needed depth.

Texas Rangers
Bradley had a quality stint with the Rangers and with Texas coming off of a relatively poor year at the plate, they could welcome Bradley back with open arms.

Toronto Blue Jays
With the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays in their division, the Blue Jays will need to put runs on the board to have a shot in the AL East. Bradley could help do just that.

Milton Bradley - Who will put up with him? (Image: Zuma Press)

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Milton Bradley Trade Destinations