Ahead of the game
Deuces Wild
Harold McIlvain II
Issue date: 1/30/08 Section: Sports
The second big-time signing from the Japanese market this year was Hiroki Kuroda for the L.A. Dodgers. Kuroda is known for being a control type pitcher and experts have him slotted at a double-digit win total with an ERA in the high threes. He was able to display pin-point accuracy in Japan, so it will be interesting to see how he does in the pitcher friendly National League.
Astro fans have to be excited to hear the news of the addition of Miguel Tejada to the team. However, Astro fans can't be too excited about the FBI investigating Tejada for lying when he told federal authorities he never took steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs.
Tejada should be a good fit in Houston as long as he stays out of trouble. He is an iron man who has played six seasons in a row. That has to count for something, along with his career .287 average, but his power numbers seem to be on the decline. He will be a nice fit in the line-up along side Carlos Lee, Lance Berkman and Hunter Pence.
Houston also nabbed closer Jose Valverde who will be a great addition to a team that had problems last year closing out games.
Additional players finding new homes include: Dan Haren being traded to the Diamondbacks, Nick Swisher being traded to the White Sox and Tom Glavine reuniting with Atlanta.
Harold McIlvain II is a senior staff writer for The Arkansas Traveler.
Astro fans have to be excited to hear the news of the addition of Miguel Tejada to the team. However, Astro fans can't be too excited about the FBI investigating Tejada for lying when he told federal authorities he never took steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs.
Tejada should be a good fit in Houston as long as he stays out of trouble. He is an iron man who has played six seasons in a row. That has to count for something, along with his career .287 average, but his power numbers seem to be on the decline. He will be a nice fit in the line-up along side Carlos Lee, Lance Berkman and Hunter Pence.
Houston also nabbed closer Jose Valverde who will be a great addition to a team that had problems last year closing out games.
Additional players finding new homes include: Dan Haren being traded to the Diamondbacks, Nick Swisher being traded to the White Sox and Tom Glavine reuniting with Atlanta.
Harold McIlvain II is a senior staff writer for The Arkansas Traveler.
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