12/04/2008 - San Francisco, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Francisco Giants have signed shortstop Edgar Renteria to a two-year contract. Although financial terms were not released, the deal is believed to be worth $18.5 million.
"We're extremely excited to bring a player of Edgar's caliber to our organization," said Giants general manager Brian Sabean. "He is a complete player on both sides of the ball, a clutch performer and a winner. He has the hardware to show it with the awards he has garnered and a World Series ring. We look forward to seeing him in a Giants uniform."
Renteria, who takes over for Omar Vizquel, batted .270 with 10 home runs and 55 RBI in 138 games last season for Detroit, but the Tigers chose not to pick up his option for 2009 shortly after the end of the year. He had been acquired from Atlanta in a three-player deal on October 29, 2007.
San Francisco will also not have to surrender any compensation for the Type B free agent, since the Tigers declined to offer him arbitration this past week.
The 33-year-old Renteria, who just completed his 13th big league season, has also played for Florida, St. Louis and Boston, and owns a career .290 batting average with 127 homers, 817 RBI and 280 stolen bases in 1,860 games.
Renteria, a five-time NL All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner, has also participated in 55 postseason contests and had the game-winning hit in the bottom of the 11th inning in Game 7 of the 1997 World Series with Florida.
<< San Jose recalls Cavanagh, sends Armstrong back to Worcester
San Jose, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Jose Sharks recalled winger Tom
Cavanagh from their American Hockey League affiliate, the Worcester Sharks,
and reassigned winger Riley Armstrong to the AHL club, it was announced on
Thursda
<< Stenson leads Nedbank Challenge
Sun City, South Africa (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Henrik Stenson fired a nine-under 63
on Thursday to match the course record and take the first-round lead of the
Nedbank Golf Challenge.
Stenson matched Ernie Els' course record at the Gary Pla
<< Rampage add Perrault, Zimmerman to roster
San Antonio, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Phoenix Coyotes have loaned center Joel
Perrault to their American Hockey League affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage,
it was announced on Thursday. The Coyotes also reassigned defenseman Sean
Zimmerm
<< Keane resigns as Sunderland coach
Sunderland, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Roy Keane sensationally resigned as
Sunderland manager on Thursday after a little over two years in charge of the
Black Cats.
The 37-year-old Irishman had cast doubts over his future on Wearside
Bears lose Aucoin, gain Mink >>
Arlington, VA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Washington Capitals recalled forward
Keith Aucoin from their American Hockey League affiliate, the Hershey Bears,
and reassigned Graham Mink to Hershey, it was announced on Thursday.
The 30-year-ol
Chelios expected to play for Griffins this weekend >>
Grand Rapids, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Detroit Red Wings defenseman Chris Chelios
is expected to be assigned to the Grand Rapids Griffins for conditioning on
Friday and play in the Griffins' home games against Toronto and Hamilton this
weekend
Beckman named new Toledo head coach >>
Toledo, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The University of Toledo has chosen Tim Beckman
as its new head football coach.
Beckman has been the defensive coordinator at Oklahoma State for the past two
seasons and also served as a defensive assistan
Napoli plans to keep Argentinian forward Lavezzi >>
Naples, Italy (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis has
dismissed continuing rumors linking Argentinian forward Ezequiel Lavezzi with
a move away from the club.
The 23-year-old is a reported target for Chelsea,
BILLS (+10) at Steelers SPORTSBOOK LINES
It's impossible to gauge how a team will react after something like the Steve Everett situation, and it probably doesn't matter. That being said, the Bills are going to lose several games this year where they keep things close but fall short in the end to superior teams. Ben Roethlisberger and company could have a field day against Buffalo's decimated defense, but I like the Bills to cover.
BENGALS (-7) at Browns SPORTSBOOK LINES
All you can ask out of your NFL team is that it has a plan. You may not always agree with it as a fan, but as long as it appears the organization is going in some sort of direction, you have to go with it. Which brings us to the Cleveland Browns. You flip a coin to determine whether Chuck Frye or Derek Anderson should start the preseason opener. You start Frye in Week 1, but pull him in the first half. And then you deal him to the Seahawks for a sixth-round pick? Hmm... the Bengals could get six turnovers again this week.
COLTS (-7) at Titans SPORTSBOOK LINES
Tennessee signed ex-Colts cornerback Nick Harper in the offseason so that should help slow down Peyton Manning. Just ask Jason David and the Saints. Oh wait... One of these weeks, I'm going to learn to not pick against Tennessee, which has won seven of its last eight games. But it's not happening against Indy.
TEXANS (+6.5) at Panthers SPORTSBOOK LINES
Houston's Mario Williams, the first pick in the '06 draft, has more touchdowns than Reggie Bush after one week. Somehow I don't see that lasting. Meanwhile, Carolina bottled up what was expected to be a pretty high-octane offense in St. Louis in Week 1. Could this be the Panthers' defense everyone expected last year? Maybe. This feels like a 20-16 Carolina win.
RAMS (-3) vs. 49ers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Absolutely love this game. Everyone's favorite pick for this year's surprise team -- the 49ers -- laid an egg on Monday night (not that anyone was watching with the game ending in the middle of the night for those of us on the East Coast). St. Louis wasn't much better, delivering a lackluster effort against the Panthers that included two Steven Jackson fumbles and panic from his fantasy owners. Jackson rebounds this week, and the Rams get their first win.
PACKERS (+1.5) at Giants SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Do you really trust this guy to win an NFL game if Eli Manning can't go? I say no. I'd feel alot better about this Packers team if it had any semblance of a running game, but I still think Green Bay's defense is good enough to give it a 2-0 start.
JAGUARS (-10) vs. Falcons SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Does it scare me to pick Jacksonville to cover a double-digit spread after it scored just 10 points last week against the Titans? Absolutely. But can I bring myself to pick Atlanta under any circumstances? No. Check out this poll on ajc.com. It asks what Atlanta's most urgent deficiency is: offense, defense, specials teams or all of the above. "All of the above" has 57 percent of the votes. Ouch.
SAINTS (-3) at Buccaneers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
I'm picking way too many road teams this week. Oh well. New Orleans has had some time to reflect on its lackluster showing in the opener, and the Buccanneers just aren't a very good football team. Anyone else surprised Tampa Bay hasn't made a move to sign Byron Leftwich? I thought that's what they do.
VIKINGS (+3) at Lions SPORTS BETTING LINES
Run the ball and stop the run. Minnesota can do both, and that will keep them in a lot of games this season. Even though it was only one week, Adrian Peterson looks like he was a steal at No. 7 in last year's draft. Not only will he produce, but Peterson delivers excitement to what otherwise would be one of the league's most boring teams.
DOLPHINS (+3.5) vs. Cowboys SPORTS BETTING LINES
Lost in the Tony Romo lovefest is just how bad the Cowboys' defense was last week. I know they're banged up, but Dallas' 'D' allowed 438 yards to the Giants' offense, and backup running back Derrick Ward averaged 6.8 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Cam Cameron's decision to split carries between Ronnie Brown and Jesse Chatman sounds about as can't-miss as Larry David's plan to show up to Marty Funkhouser's party a night late. Still, gotta go with Miami to cover at home.
SEAHAWKS (-2.5) at Cardinals SPORTS BETTING LINES
I'm probably missing something, but this game seems too easy. Arizona blew Monday night's game against the 49ers in typical Cardinals fashion, and the Seahawks beat Tampa Bay by two touchdowns. Love Seattle in this one.
BRONCOS (-9.5) vs. Raiders SPORTS BETTING LINES
Special teams was a major story line in Week 1. Take a look at the Broncos. They had to rush on to the field to get a Jason Elam field goal as time expired against the Bills. Denver drove into Buffalo territory on eight of 10 drives but came away with just a pair of field goals and a touchdown. Look for more scoring from the Broncos this week against an Oakland defense that gave up 36 points to Detroit in Week 1.
BEARS (-12) vs. Chiefs SPORTS BETTING LINES
Everyone talks about Rex Grossman when dissecting the Bears' offense, but Chicago's quarterback got no help in last week's loss to the Chargers. Meanwhile, Kansas City confirmed what we all thought while watching Hard Knocks: The Chiefs are going to stink this year. It could be a rough first month for Larry Johnson fantasy owners. Kansas City's RB was limited to 43 yards on 10 carries in Week 1, and the Chiefs face the Bears, Vikings and Chargers the next three weeks, all formidable run defenses.
RAVENS (-10) vs. Jets SPORTS BETTING LINES
A big dose of Willis McGahee and a usual sound defensive effort will give the Ravens their first win. According to Football Outsiders, no team in the NFL rushed only three defenders on pass plays last year more than the Jets. And according to my special Jets correspondent Ben Stauber, New York did the same in Week 1. Whoever starts at quarterback for the Ravens should have all day to throw.
PATRIOTS (-3) vs. Chargers SPORTS TRASH TALK
Friends and I were discussing how Bill Belichick goes about paying his $500,000 fine for cheating. Does he just write one check to the NFL? Do you need some sort of clearance to make such a monstrous financial transaction? I guess I shouldn't complain about the security deposit I have to put down on my new apartment. Anyway, two of the league's best teams square off in what should be a good one Sunday night. The Patriots always respond well just when you think they're in trouble. And their offensive attack was the story in Week 1.
Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting.
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