A's come to terms with P Bailey, 28 others

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03/08/2010 - Phoenix, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Oakland Athletics closer Andrew Bailey was one of 29 pre-arbitration players to agree to contracts for the 2010 season.

Bailey made 68 appearances for Oakland last season, posting a 6-3 record with 26 saves and a 1.84 earned run average to earn American League Rookie of the Year honors.

The A's also worked out deals for most of last year's starting rotation Monday, agreeing to terms with righty Trevor Cahill and a trio of left-handers in Brett Anderson, Dallas Braden and Gio Gonzalez.

Cahill made a team-leading 32 starts as a rookie last season for Oakland. He finished 10-13 with a 4.63 ERA.

Anderson, another rookie in 2009, went 11-11 with a 4.06 ERA in 30 starts. Braden made 22 starts last season, going 8-9 with a 3.89 ERA, while Gonzalez had a 6-7 record with a 5.75 ERA in 20 games, 17 of which were starts.

Catcher Kurt Suzuki and outfielder Ryan Sweeney also signed one-year deals. Suzuki, entering his fourth major league season, batted .274 with 15 home runs and 88 RBI in 147 games last year. Sweeney hit .293 with six homers and 53 RBI over 134 games in 2009.

Other notable signees included first baseman Daric Barton, infielder Adam Rosales, shortstop Cliff Pennington, outfielder Travis Buck and pitchers Brad Ziegler and Jerry Blevins.

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<< Two tours, two wins for Villegas
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Before Camilo Villegas arrived at the first tee Sunday, he called his mother in Colombia. "Tell the little bro congratulations and keep it up," he told her. More than 1,500 miles away, Manuel Villegas was signing his score

<< UMass to seek new women's hoops coach
Amherst, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The University of Massachusetts is in the market for a new women's basketball coach after the school decided not to retain Marnie Dacko for next season. Dacko's contract is set to expire April 10.

<< 2010 Big East Conference Tournament Preview
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - While there are several teams projected to make it to the NCAA Tournament, there's only one guaranteed bid that comes out of the massive 16-team beast that is the 31st annual Big East Conference Tournament.

<< Gonzalez sends Chile into Davis Cup QFs
Coquimbo, Chile (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Fernando Gonzalez straight-setted Dudi Sela on Monday, sending Chile into the 2010 Davis Cup quarterfinals. The Chileans have an insurmountable 3-1 lead over Israel in the best-of-five first-round affair.

<< Ribery close to decision on future
Munich, Germany (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Bayern Munich's French ace Franck Ribery has stated that he will make a decision about his future in the next few weeks. The 26-year-old forward is a target for most of Europe's top clubs, with h

Stewart leads NHL's Three Stars >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Colorado Avalanche right wing Chris Stewart, Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos and Florida Panthers defenseman Bryan McCabe have been named the NHL's 'Three Stars' for the week ending March 7.

Kansas returns to top spot in hoops poll >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kansas is back atop the men's basketball world, taking the top spot in the Associated Press poll for the third time this season. The Jayhawks (29-2) were the preseason No. 1 and spent the first eig

Spurs' Parker won't need surgery for broken hand >>
San Antonio, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker won't need surgery for the broken bone in his right hand. Parker was examined Monday by Dr. David Green and the initial diagnosis of a non-displaced stable fracture o

Pitt, Texas, Maryland and Illinois to play in Coaches vs. Cancer >>
Princeton, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Pittsburgh, Texas, Maryland and Illinois will open the 2010-11 basketball season by participating in the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic. Those teams will serve as the four regional round hosts for the event.

Report: FCD signs former Wizards 'keeper Hartman >>
Frisco, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - According to a report on the soccer blog 3rd Degree, FC Dallas has agreed to terms with former Kansas City Wizards goalkeeper Kevin Hartman. Hartman, a 13-year Major League Soccer veteran, was un

American Idol odds : Blake Lewis the Early Standout

An important American Idol betting lines recap from February 20 Guys episode. The 12 men came out flat overall with Blake Lewis appearing to have the early edge after the first hour and a half.

Rudy - was quite good singing "Free Ride" to start off.  Randy was not impressed though.  Paula thought he started off fantastic.  "Never had anyone stop off so lively" said Paula but Simon (who does not like Rudy) does not feel he has a distinct voice and was not impressed either. 

Brandon was a little pitchy according to Randy and Paula agreed.  Simon said he was a good singer but the song was "too safe" and he needs to make an impact.  He was listed at +1200 odds or $1200 paid out on a $100 bet should he win the competition. 

Big favorite Sundance came in with a flat version of "Knights in White Satin" and the judges let him have it, including Paula.  Randy claimed the song was out of pitch throughout.

Korean American - and a Jenny Woo favorite - Paul Kim was up next.  Another pitchy flat one but Randy said he still liked his potential.  Kim at +3000 odds was said to have sung a "third rate version of that (George Michael) song" according to Simon Cowell.  He sang "Careless Whisper".

22 year old Chris Richardson was up next.  He was listed with +1100 odds coming in.  He got the best response from the judges though Simon did not believe the vocal was that great. 

Nick was boring and pitchy.  Simon didn't think he was that bad though and predicted he would be back next week.  Nick Pedro was a big +3000 dog coming into this competition. 

Beat boxer Blake Lewis was listed with early +1000 odds or $1000 payout on a $100 bet if he were to become the next American Idol winner odds .  These of course were the early odds.  He was considered original for picking an "odd song".  He did not beat box and the judges felt it was the best vocal of the night. 

Sanjaya came in as the second biggest favorite after Chris Sligh but his performance Tuesday night was not very good. 

Chris Sleigh was the early favorite at +450 odds.  Great voice and a great sense of humor.  He's a real standout.  Randy felt it was on point but maybe ahead of the chorus a little bit.  Simon Cowell said he felt like he was in some "sort of weird student gig". 

Jared Cotter followed.  He was listed with +2000 odds early on to win the competition.  The judges felt he needs to take more risks but looked good. 

22-year old AJ Talbado, who has tried out for American Idol five times, was up next.  "Kind of a theme park performance" said Simon.  Though the judges felt he performed okay.  Simon did feel AJ might be better than he originally thought.

Phil - this season's military favorite - came into this competition with +1200 odds to win the competition.  He was the last to perform.  He was certainly strong enough to get through this stage of the competition and perhaps the best one after a shaky start. 

Tomorrow night, the ladies perform and I sure hope they do a better job than the boys.  Check out all the American Idol betting odds here.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.

Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

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