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oal. We want to get to the next level and thats going
Topic Started: Dec 30 2012, 12:39 PM (56 Views)
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PITTSBURGH -- The surprising Pittsburgh Pirates are getting serious about their playoff push, acquiring pricey lefty Wandy Rodriguez in a trade Tuesday night with the Houston Astros. Colin Kaepernick 49ers Jersey . Without even a winning record since their last trip to the post-season in 1992, the Pirates began the night just 1 1/2 games behind the Reds in the NL Central and in the thick of the wild-card race. They have been looking to bolster the back end of their solid rotation that is led by A.J. Burnett and James McDonald. Rodriguez provides Pittsburgh with another arm. The Pirates will get up to $17.7 million in the deal to offset what could amount to over $30 million in salary for Rodriguez. They are sending Triple-A All-Star Rudy Owen and Colton Cain, both left-handers, and outfielder Robbie Grossman to Houston. "We talked since Day One of the trading season about wanting to improve our club either via pitching or via hitting," Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said. "The pitching market turned out to be more flexible than the hitting market and we decided this was the right move for us." The only player on the Astros roster remaining from their 2005 trip to the World Series, Rodriguez has been a steady presence on a rebuilding ballclub that has the worst record in the majors this year and lost 106 games last season. He made his way through Houstons dugout during the fifth inning of Tuesday nights game against the Cincinnati Reds, shaking hands and hugging his teammates. He looked sombre and his eyes were red-rimmed as he said his goodbyes. Signed by the Astros in 1999, he is 80-84 with a 4.04 ERA in eight seasons. Rodriguez is 7-9 with a 3.79 ERA this year. Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle believes Rodriguez will be helped by a change of scenery. "Im sure a change of clubhouses for him, a change of the dynamic of being in a situation (a pennant race) he hasnt been in for three or four years should be helpful," Hurdle said. "Ive prepared for him for many years as a manager and as a coach. He has also been a tough pitcher to hit, a tough pitcher to beat. Im very happy that were adding him to our rotation." The Astros rewarded Rodriguez with a three-year, $34 million contract before the 2011 season. And Houston will pay $1.7 million of the approximately $3.4 million on left on Rodriguezs contract this year. The Astros are also scheduled to pay $8.5 million of his $13 million salary next season. A $14 million team option for 2014 became a player option with the trade, and Houston would be responsible for $7.5 million should Rodriguez choose to exercise the option. The 33-year-old Rodriguezs salary is a big addition for the team with the 26th lowest payroll in baseball at the start of 2012 at $63,432,000. Owens is 8-5 with a 3.14 ERA in 19 starts for Triple-A Indianapolis. He has 85 strikeouts and only 25 walks in 117 1-3 innings. Owens, a 28th round selection in the 2006 draft, will be placed on the Astros 40-man roster., The 22-year-old Grossman was hitting .262 with 20 doubles, seven home runs and 35 RBIs in 94 games for Double-A Altoona. Baseball America ranked him as the Pirates eighth best prospect. He was a sixth-round pick in 2008 out of Cy-Fair High School in Houston. Cain, 21, is 3-5 with a 4.20 ERA in 16 starts for Class-A Bradenton. An eighth-round pick in 2009, Cain is a graduate of Waxahachie High School in Texas. Alex Smith Womens Jersey . But after losing its second league match 1-0 at Sevilla on Saturday, Madrid is reeling only two days before facing Manchester City in the Champions League. Coach Jose Mourinho says he "doesnt have a team," forward Cristiano Ronaldo is "sad," and the entire club is wondering what has so quickly gone so wrong. Mario Manningham Jersey . 27th in Vancouver. Theres been one head coach hired, one fired, two that have stepped down and the start of the annual shuffling of offensive and defensive co-ordinators. http://www.49ersfansroom.com/aldon-smith-jersey . -- Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith had plenty of concerns following his teams late-night victory over Denver. Frank Gore Pink Jersey . Thome, a member of the 600-homer club, had been sidelined with a lower back strain since April 29. Hes just 2 for 18 in limited appearances, mainly as a pinch hitter. Justin Smith Womens Jersey . McLouths bat never co-operated. The Pirates designated McLouth for assignment on Friday and recalled infielder Matt Hague in hopes of injecting some life into their listless offence, which ranks last in the National League in batting average (.ATLANTA -- Atlanta Hawks co-owner Bruce Levenson says he had "dozens" of conversations with Danny Ferry over three months as the two discussed what it would take for Ferry to leave the San Antonio Spurs. Levensons persistence paid off Monday as Ferry was introduced as the Hawks president of basketball operations and general manager. Levenson said Ferry, 45, was the only candidate he interviewed after Rick Sund, who had been general manager for four years, suggested three months ago it was time to look for new long-term leadership for the team. "The next morning I called the San Antonio Spurs and asked permission to talk to Danny," Levenson said, adding Ferry was the only candidate he interviewed. Ferry comes to the Hawks after two years as vice-president of basketball operations for the Spurs. As general manager for the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2005-2010, Ferry helped build a team that advanced to the 2007 NBA Finals. "I was not looking to leave San Antonio," Ferry said. "I was very happy there. ... Obviously its a wonderful place to work. But getting to know Bruce over the past several weeks really made me think and challenge myself. Was this the right time and the right thing for me to do?" Ferry, who agreed to a six-year contract, sought assurances from Levenson about the ownerships commitment to the Hawks. Levenson and Michael Gearon Jr. are the majority owners of the group which last year failed in its attempt to sell the team to California developer and pizza chain owner Alex Meruelo. "My discussions have been more about building an organization and how its going to happen and feeling comfortable with the commitment level that Bruce Levenson has in doing so," Ferry said. "Once I got comfortable with that, Im ready to go and lets start digging into the roster." Levenson said he may add an investor but said theyre not selling. "Were very much in control of the team and well be in control of the team for a long, long time," he said. Ferry said he wants the Hawks "to have a value-based identity with good guys who play hard, who play together and share the ball that can be professional on the court." Just like the Spurs. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Ferrys decision to move to Atlanta should be a positive sign for Hawks fans frustrated by the teams inability to reach the conference finals. The Hawks lost to Boston in the first round of this years playoffs after making it to the second round three straight years. "When they see its Danny Ferry coming there with his five kids to settle down and make this thing go, he wouldnt be doing that if he didnt feel there was a commitment from ownership to do this the right way," Popovich said in a telephone intervview. Mike Iupati Jersey. "You can bet its a serious move and it does signal a real desire to get this thing done. I think the fans can feel real good about that." Sund has agreed to work with Ferry in an informal advisory role for at least two months, including in this weeks NBA draft. Levenson said Sund, 61, would have remained as general manager for another year if Ferry had not accepted the job. "Rick has been beyond fantastic throughout this whole process and I have been transparent with Rick," Levenson said. Sund attended Mondays news conference and said, "I didnt want to retire." "It just came to theyve got a guy who makes sense, hopefully for the next 10 years," Sund said, adding Ferry asked if he would remain as a consultant. "Weve got so much going on I just said lets not worry about that until July," Sund said. "Ill be here this month and next month and well work together and Ill help you with whatever areas you need as you transition into the job." Ferry, a former standout at Duke, averaged 7.0 points and 2.8 rebounds in 917 career games with Cleveland (1990-2000) and San Antonio (2000-03). Ferrys name also had been linked with a similar opportunity as GM with Philadelphia. "It would have been a great privilege to work with Doug Collins," Ferry said of the 76ers coach. "I think hes really good and smart, a great basketball mind. "But for me I just got very comfortable with this opportunity as it related to Bruce. I felt a sense of humility but also a sense of intense focus and passion and pride about what can happen here going forward. The resources, the willingness going forward made me very excited about this opportunity and ultimately thats what brought me here today and thats what got me excited about getting to work." Hawks coach Larry Drew said "its pretty obvious" the team is looking to capitalize on Ferrys success with the Spurs and Cavaliers. "Were looking to get over the hump," Drew said. "Weve been a team thats knocking on the door and I think we share the common goal. We want to get to the next level and thats going to be our focus." The NBA draft is Thursday and the Hawks have the No. 23 overall pick. The Hawks return six-time All-Star guard Joe Johnson, centre Al Horford, forwards Josh Smith and Marvin Williams, point guard Jeff Teague and backup centre Zaza Pachulia. The status of Smith, entering the final year of his contract, will become an immediate priority for Ferry. Ferry also must build the remainder of the roster with the teams other nine players becoming free agents. Sund, Seattles general manager from 2001-07, was hired by Atlanta in 2008 to replace Billy Knight. ' ' '
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