Lee Makes Rangers DangerousBy Rich CarlsonWagerweb.com Contributing Writer With the Monday trading deadline fast approaching, the Texas Rangers on Friday acquired All-Star outfielder Carlos Lee from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for relief pitcher Francisco Cordero, outfielder Kevin Mench and outfielder Laynce Nix. The Rangers enter Saturday in third place in the mediocre American League West division but are only 2.5 games back of division-leading Oakland. The acquisition of Lee, who has 28 home runs with 81 RBIs this year, will add some much-needed pop to the Rangers' offense, which ranks 9th in the American League in home runs and 7th in RBIs. In addition to Lee, the Rangers also acquired the Brewers' minor 2005 minor league player of the year, outfielder Nelson Cruz. Cruz was hitting .302 with 22 doubles, 20 home runs, 73 RBIs and 17 stolen bases at Triple-A Nashville. Texas manager Buck Showalter indicated that Cruz could get significant playing time down the stretch for the Rangers, and he could provide some additional spark to their lineup. Play in the FREE $15,000 NFL Betting Handicapping Contest every week all season long! Put your bankroll over the TOP and sign-up now at SBG Global! Join SBG Global and start winning CASH today! Setting the industry standards with fast, free, secure and reliable deposit and withdrawl options, for over a decade SBG Global has been the World's most respected Online Sportsbook, Online Casino, Poker Room and Racebook! With up to 265% in total Bonuses for this 2011-2012 NFL Season, sign up to SBGGLOBAL.COM for their Unmatched Bonuses and Phenomenal Customer Service right now!! With only four games separating the four teams in the AL West, the race for the division championship is wide open. With the added offensive firepower of Lee and possibly Cruz, Texas may be the odds-on favorite to win the division. Earlier in the week, the Brewers offered Lee a four-year extension worth a reported $48 million, but Lee turned it down. With Lee scheduled to become a free agent after the season, the Brewers were faced with the prospect of losing Lee without getting anything in return, which precipitated the trade with Texas. The addition of Cordero should help solidify Milwaukee's bullpen, which has been inconsistent recently. With closer Derrick Turnbow struggling, Cordero could step into the closer's role or become an 8th-inning setup man. The Brewers entered Saturday seven games behind in the wild card race, and they still believe they have a shot at making the playoffs, although Lee's absence in their lineup will make that task much more difficult. Meanwhile, the Braves continued to overhaul their bullpen on Friday, as they acquired relief pitcher Danys Baez from the Los Angeles Dodgers for infielder Wilson Betemit. Baez, who recorded 71 saves in his two years at Tampa Bay before being traded to L.A. this past offseason, was acquired to be Atlanta's primary set-up man for new closer Bob Wickman, who was recently acquired from the Cleveland Indians. The Braves are counting on Baez and Wickman to resurrect their struggling bullpen, which ranks 14th in the National League with a 4.76 ERA. 2010 World Series betting odds and the baseball World Series predictions by Tom Morgan! The Braves enter Saturday 6.5 games behind in the wild card race. But with five teams ahead of them in the wild card standings, the odds of them reaching the playoffs for the 15th straight season are not good. Betemit is a talented infielder who has filled in at second base, shortstop and third base for Atlanta this season. However, with Chipper Jones entrenched at third base and Edgar Renteria at shortstop, Betemit's prospects for more playing time were slim. The Dodgers plan on starting Betemit at third base and believe he will be a mainstay on the roster for a long time. The Dodgers are only six games behind division-leading San Diego, and only seven games behind in the wild card race, so the playoffs are still within reach. However, the Dodgers have picked the wrong time to go into a slump, going 2-8 in their past 10 games. If the Dodgers are to make the postseason, they will need to turn things around quickly. Rich Carlson Author Bio: Received MBA from University of Florida in 1996 (Management & Sports Administration) Worked for 3 1/2 years as freelance sportswriter covering professional and minor league baseball, professional & college basketball, professional & college football, hockey, soccer, tennis and golf. Active in local softball, basketball, tennis and bowling leagues. Married for 15 years - one daughter. --- by Rich Carlson at Wagerweb.com on August 01, 2006
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