Trying to shore up their bullpen to facilitate a postseason berth, the Dodgers reportedly have reached agreements to sign RHPs Chris Perez and Jamey Wright and LHP J.P. Howell.
Does that improve LA's relief pitching. There's a better than even chance.
Do the moves guarantee a playoff berth. Hardly.
Perez was shaky during the latter part of 2013 for the Indians, as they tried out alternatives as their closer.
Howell is a good role-playing lefty, but overpriced at a reported $5 million-plus.
Wright will be 40 years old. I remember from his Rangers days as a good dude. He was very excited about finally reaching the postseason last fall in his 18th season. One of the reasons why he hadn't been was that he has spent most of his lengthy career on the fringes, pitching -- even starting -- for losing teams and frequently toiling in losing situations for winning teams. His days may be numbered, but he did pitch well for the 2012 Dodgers before moving on to the Rays. But he's hardly a sure thing.
For that matter, is hard-throwing RHP Kenley Jansen a sure thing as a closer? No, but that's probably why LA signed a former Giants closer, RHP Brian Wilson.
The Twins' contracts with RHP Mike Pelfrey and C Kurt Suzuki are now official.
Speed-demon sensation Billy Hamilton is likely to take over from free-agent OF Shin-soo Choo as the Reds' center fielder and leadoff batter.
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Other sports. This is like the winter version of baseball's All-Star break. There won't be any NFL games until Sunday. The NHL is off until Friday. The NBA will have some games Wednesday, probably just so TV will have some sports to broadcast on Christmas.
Important key. For the NFL's last week, you have to take into account which teams -- and star players -- have something to play for. If not, they might not even play at all, and therefore would be useless to your fantasy team. Eighteen teams do have a a playoff berth or seeding on the line: Denver, New England, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Miami, Baltimore, San Diego and Pittsburgh in the AFC, and Seattle, Carolina, San Francisco, Arizona, New Orleans, Dallas, Philadelphia, Chicago and Green Bay in the NFC. Notice that the Chiefs aren't on the list, because win or lose they would be the AFC's No. 5 seed. That's why I'm leaning toward starting inferior RB Ray Rice instead of KC RB Jamaal Charles, the league's best for fantasy purposes this year.
I'm tied 4-4 through the first day of this week's fantasy basketball competition. With a short week, it will be important to stay on top of who's playing well, and especially who's playing at all on a particular day.
In part because Flyers G Steve Mason had his best game since he has been on my roster, I'm within seven points of second place in my fantasy hockey league. I can pick and choose whom I'd want to start on Friday when the league is back in full swing. I have set my lineup already, but I'll reexamine it before Friday's games to see if there are injuries or other issues to consider.
No NFL games to consider until Sunday, but I will be at Valley Ranch on Christmas afternoon to do a Kyle Orton story -- just in case QB Tony Romo doesn't play for the Cowboys Sunday night. At this point, I think Jason Garrett's public statements are the only indication that Romo might do as much as put on his uniform.
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