30 Copyright 2008, CBSSports.com http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/view/6270335 en-us Now warming up with a sharpened pen and blowing news, notes, rants and raves right past the bullpen catcher. ... Thu, 04 Dec 2008 23:11:53 EST http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/12089484?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/12089484?source=rss_blogs_MLB The San Diego Padres continued shrinking their payroll by finalizing a deal Thursday that sent shortstop Khalil Greene to St. Louis in exchange for pitcher Mark Worrell and a player to be named later. ... Thu, 04 Dec 2008 22:01:39 EST http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/12089484?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/12066843?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/12066843?source=rss_blogs_MLB On the very next morning after he was elected President of the United States, there was Barack Obama, taking his girls to school, wearing his Chicago White Sox cap. ... Thu, 04 Dec 2008 22:02:02 EST http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/12066843?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/12043071?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/12043071?source=rss_blogs_MLB The Atlanta Braves are close to accomplishing at least part of their winter goal of adding two front-line starting pitchers: The Braves and Chicago White Sox have agreed in principle to a six-player deal that will send pitcher Javier Vazquez to the B ... Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:28:23 EST http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/12043071?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/12021889?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/12021889?source=rss_blogs_MLB The Los Angeles Angels will make their split with longtime outfielder Garret Anderson official Monday by declining to offer him arbitration, CBSSports.com has learned. The Angels will offer arbitration to their four other eligible players, including ... Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:04:01 EST http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/12021889?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/12018190?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/12018190?source=rss_blogs_MLB Don't hold your breath waiting for free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal to break the current lull in player movement this week. ... Tue, 02 Dec 2008 11:02:59 EST http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/12018190?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11926269?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11926269?source=rss_blogs_MLB So what are you thankful for? ... Mon, 01 Dec 2008 10:33:45 EST http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11926269?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11913599?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11913599?source=rss_blogs_MLB If you're wondering why there continues to be a whole lot of talk and little action on baseball's Hot Stove front this week, circle Dec. 1 on your calendar. ... Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:55:45 EST http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11913599?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11913595?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11913595?source=rss_blogs_MLB If you're wondering why there continues to be a whole lot of talk and little action on baseball's Hot Stove front this week, circle Dec. 1 on your calendar. ... Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:52:03 EST http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11913595?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11891898?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11891898?source=rss_blogs_MLB In the midst of a wide-ranging flurry of reports Monday, the agent for shortstop Rafael Furcal said that he continues talking with a handful of teams and would like to "narrow it down" this week. ... Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:57:12 EST http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11891898?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11813094?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11813094?source=rss_blogs_MLB Yes, I fully accept Mike Mussina's apology. ... Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:18:01 EST http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11813094?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11785877?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11785877?source=rss_blogs_MLB Thanks for checking in with your suggestion that the first round of the playoffs should be a one-game, winner-advances-to-the-next-round format, Oakland owner Lew Wolff. ... Thu, 20 Nov 2008 8:52:06 EST http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11785877?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11771510?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11771510?source=rss_blogs_MLB The Cubs didn't necessarily guarantee themselves a World Series win by re-signing Ryan Dempster on Tuesday. Depressing truth on Chicago's North Side, of course, is that the move probably didn't even guarantee them one playoff win. ... Fri, 21 Nov 2008 3:36:50 EST http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11771510?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11750802?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11750802?source=rss_blogs_MLB The most-watched elbow in St. Louis is doing fine right now, thank you very much, Albert Pujols says. ... Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:48:13 EST http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11750802?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11747984?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11747984?source=rss_blogs_MLB Because, in a perfect world, the Most Valuable Player award should be one part player-of-the-year and one part importance-to-team, Albert Pujols' claim to the National League award on Monday was right on the money. ... Tue, 18 Nov 2008 9:31:15 EST http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11747984?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11697223?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11697223?source=rss_blogs_MLB The Atlanta Braves have pulled out of the Jake Peavy trade talks and will move ahead with other plans general manager Frank Wren told CBSSports.com on Friday. ... Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:13:16 EST http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11697223?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11679372?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11679372?source=rss_blogs_MLB Pitcher Jake Peavy's slow, torturous path out of San Diego remained on hold Thursday. ... Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:38:18 EST http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11679372?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11665079?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11665079?source=rss_blogs_MLB The Atlanta Braves, full-steam ahead in their pursuit of right-hander Jake Peavy, are offering a four-player package of players, and San Diego is expected to request that Peavy waive his no-trade clause so the deal can be completed, CBSSports.com has ... Thu, 13 Nov 2008 20:02:21 EST http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11665079?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11660937?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11660937?source=rss_blogs_MLB The Los Angeles Angels have several options in front of them when the free agent market opens on Friday, starting with Mark Teixeira, CC Sabathia and Francisco Rodriguez -- likely in that order, according to sources with knowledge of the club's t ... Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:13:51 EST http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11660937?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11641654?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11641654?source=rss_blogs_MLB You can argue the merits of San Diego's apparent decision to bid farewell to a closer in the twilight of his career. ... Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:11:29 EST http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11641654?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11636517?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11636517?source=rss_blogs_MLB The thing about San Francisco's Tim Lincecum winning the National League Cy Young Award is, there is no wrong answer. ... Wed, 12 Nov 2008 19:09:37 EST http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11636517?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11625360?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11625360?source=rss_blogs_MLB The Florida Marlins, looking to avoid costly player payroll increases via arbitration, have traded left-handed pitcher Scott Olsen and outfielder Josh Willingham to the Washington Nationals for a three-player package in a deal that allows both clubs ... Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:09:28 EST http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11625360?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11621701?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11621701?source=rss_blogs_MLB If the San Diego Padres trade ace right-hander Jake Peavy, as they are expected to do as early as this week, it could mean the end of the ace's availability for Team USA in next spring's World Baseball Classic. ... Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:43:59 EST http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11621701?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11618874?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11618874?source=rss_blogs_MLB The ever-unpredictable Oakland Athletics have acquired slugger Matt Holliday from Colorado, sources with knowledge of the talks have confirmed to, CBSSports.com, pending the outfielder's passing a physical examination on Tuesday. ... Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:37:20 EST http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11618874?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11489470?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11489470?source=rss_blogs_MLB DANA POINT, Calif. -- In the immediate aftermath of his team being eliminated from the National League Championship Series last month, slugger and impending free agent Manny Ramirez quipped, "Gas is up, and so am I." ... Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:46:47 EST http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11489470?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11409268?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11409268?source=rss_blogs_MLB PHILADELPHIA -- Talk about an acute sense of where you are, and impressive maturity. Philadelphia's ace left-hander, Cole Hamels, is only 24, won the World Series Most Valuable Player award and was played the role of a wise old man afterward. ... Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:21:28 EST http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11409268?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11409225?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11409225?source=rss_blogs_MLB PHILADELPHIA -- Attention, political junkies: There's one more recently completed poll that projects Sen. Barack Obama to win Tuesday's presidential election. ... Sat, 01 Nov 2008 19:19:43 EDT http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11409225?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11389983?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11389983?source=rss_blogs_MLB PHILADELPHIA -- Arguably the most unusual World Series game in history Wednesday night brought with it one of the most unusual World Series finishes in history: For only the second time ever, the Philadelphia Phillies won the title. ... Thu, 30 Oct 2008 0:31:18 EDT http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11389983?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11389977?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11389977?source=rss_blogs_MLB PHILADELPHIA -- Arguably the most unusual World Series game in history Wednesday night brought with it one of the most unusual World Series finishes in history: For only the second time ever, the Philadelphia Phillies won the title. ... Wed, 29 Oct 2008 22:05:37 EDT http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11389977?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11385688?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11385688?source=rss_blogs_MLB PHILADELPHIA -- Arguably the most unusual game in World Series history is set to resume at 8:37 p.m. this evening, with Philadelphia and Tampa Bay tied 2-2, and the most fascinating thing of all is that the tactical moves will begin immediately. ... Wed, 29 Oct 2008 20:34:15 EDT http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11385688?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11366300?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11366300?source=rss_blogs_MLB PHILADELPHIA -- The continuation of Game 5, tied 2-2 in the sixth inning, officially is in limbo, awaiting a brutal weather front to move out of the Philadelphia area. It was bad enough to not only ice the continuation of this World Series on Tuesday ... Tue, 28 Oct 2008 16:38:12 EDT http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/11366300?source=rss_blogs_MLB 100 http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbsdm/spec/cbssportscom.gif http://scott-miller.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/view/6270335 100