Denver Adds a Special Nugget

The Denver Nuggets needed to find a player to replace star shooting guard Andre Iguodola. That's why they signed Nate Robinson to a 2 year, $4 Million contract. Here's what Robinson said on his Twitter account, according to ESPN.com,  "Chicago will always have a place in my heart. I'm a miss all my teammates, it was a treat playing alongside of them all, stand up guys". The small, but very quick, 5 foot-9 Robinson played in a career high 82 games for the Chicago Bulls last season. He averaged 13.1 points and 4.4 assists per game. Robinson will be a key and special player that the Denver Nuggets will like. Robinson will backup the talented Ty Lawson at point guard, as he will be a valuable player to the Nuggets this season. The addition of Robinson creates even more chaos in the backcourt for the Nuggets, who already have Andre Miller, Evan Fourier, Randy Foye, and a rookie. Robinson will reunite with Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler, who were both with the Knicks. Robinson's familiarity with Gallinari and Chandler will be key this season. Robinson will add depth, good defense that Denver's been trying to find, and a very quick and slippery player, who could sometimes give opponents nightmares, down the stretch of important games.

Garza Headed To Texas

After long talks, the Texas Rangers have finally found another pitcher to go along Yu Darvish and Derek Holland. The Rangers have acquired right-hander Matt Garza from the Chicago Cubs and gave up Triple-A Infielder Mike Olt, Single-A right hander C.J. Edwards, right-hander Justin Grimm, and 2 other players that will be mentioned later. The Cubs have dumped Matt Garza's salary, as they continue to rebuild their team. The addition of Garza, will help keep the Rangers in the playoff hunt. Garza went 6-1, with a 3.17 E.R.A. with the Cubs this season, as looks to build onto a great first half. If, I was the Cubs, I would of tried to acquire young lefty Martin Perez, who has been very good for the Rangers this season. Olt has been struggling this season after doing decent in 2012, and Grimm has a 6.17 E.R.A. This doesn't seem much of a trade for the Cubs, but their re-building and need young pieces for the future. Cubs General Manager Jed Hoyer was very confident in this trade, and hopefully it will be a success for him and the Rangers.

Braun Is Done For Season

The MLB has suspended Milwaukee Brewers Left Fielder Ryan Braun for the remainder of the season, for violating MLB's drug policy. Braun has made a huge mistake for himself and the Brewers, but he did apologized about making the mistake of taking drugs. Braun will also lose $3.25 Million for violating the drug policy. This will hurt Braun's reputation as a ballplayer and a person. The loss of Braun is going to hurt this Milwaukee Brewers lineup a lot, and most of all he's disappointed lots of fans.  

My Ten Bold 2nd Half MLB Predictions

1. The Los Angles Dodgers will win the N.L. West in the final 4 games of the season. The Diamondbacks will finish 1 game back, the Giants will finish 3 games back, Rockies will finish 3.5 games back. 
2. The St. Louis Cardinals will have at least 1 batter, in the top 10, in each N.L. batting leader category except stolen bases, and pitching. Cardinals will win the N.L. Central with a 97-65 record.
3. The Pittsburgh Pirates will make the playoffs as a wild card for the first time since 1992.
4. The New York Yankees will not make the playoffs for the first time since 1993. Injuries to 1B Mark Tiexiera, CF Curtis Granderson, SS Derek Jeter, the lack of having a good starting pitcher behind Sabathia and Kuroda, and lack of power hitting
5. The Cincinnati Reds will not make the playoffs, despite having a 91-71 record. The Texas Rangers will not make the playoffs despite having a 90-72 record.
6. Tigers 1B Prince Fielder will have the most HR in the 2nd half of the season, David Ortiz and Jay Bruce will tie the MLB lead for the most RBI in the 2nd half of the season.
7. The Red Sox hitting will lead Boston to an A.L. East Division title. Boston will finish 96-66. The Orioles will finish 2nd at 94-68, and Tampa Bay will finish 3rd at 90-72.
8. The Angeles and Blue Jays will both finish just under .500 and will show that not always the most talented and stacked team will be the best.
9. For the 2nd year in a row, a Mets pitcher will win the N.L. Cy Young Award. Matt Harvey will win the N.L. Cy Young
10. Tigers 3B Miguel Cabrera will be 2 HR shy of winning the Triple Crown. Chris Davis will lead the A.L. and MLB in HR with 59.

Can The Patriots Overcome Tough Off-Seasonthe

The New England Patriots have gone through a lot this off-season. First they lost their best receiver in Wes Welker. They also lost receiver's Brandon Lloyd and Deion Branch too. Then they lost versatile running back Danny Woodhead. The Patriots encountered a terrible situation when tight end Aaron Hernandez was being charged with murdering Odin Lloyd. These situations have gone all downhill for the Patriots organization. The Patriots have tried their best to overcome key losses by trading for running backs Leon Washington and Lagarrete Blount, signing wide receivers Danny Amendola, Michael Jenkins, and Lavelle Hawkins. They also added safety Adrian Wilson, defensive lineman Tommy Kelly, quarterback Tim Tebow, and offensive tackle Will Svitek. Before the Patriots went to the Super Bowl in 2007 and 2011, they didn't have a ton of talent when it came to offense. There defense was very good and stepped up in every key moment during their 3 Super Bowl Seasons. Even though the wide receiving corps of Danny Amendola, Julian Edelman, Michael Jenkins, Lavelle Hawkins, doesn't look good on paper, Tom Brady will somehow find a way to adjust to new receivers. He did that with guys like Reche Caldwell, David Givens, and David Patten, who were all once just average wide receivers. Brady has the intelligence, skill, patience, and leadership to help propel a group of just average receivers, to decent ones. The defense looks very shaky, but the leadership of Adrian Wilson, should help young players in the secondary, such as Devin McCourtey, Alfonzo Dennard, Kyle Arrington, and Raz-I-Dowling. The creative and knowledgeable Bill Belichek will help create and find new ways for underperforming players such as Tim Tebow, and Lavelle Hawkins. Even though the Patriots are near the bottom in defense, key playmakers such as Vince Wilfork, Jerod Mayo, Devin McCourtey, Aquib Talib, Rob Nickovich, Brandon Spikes, and Chandler Jones will step up in every way, just like in the later part of 2011 and 2012, to help the Patriots this season. 

Ellis Headed To Dallas

The Dallas Mavericks have been trying to improve their backcourt through free agency. Last and only season's backcourt of Darren Collison (12.0 PPG, 5.1 ASPG) and O.J. Mayo (15.3 PPG, 4.4 ASPG) wasn't satisfying enough for the Mavericks. Therefore, Dallas signed Former Toronto Raptors Point Guard Jose Calderon to a 4 year, $29 Million Contract. Then they made their biggest move, by signing Shooting Guard Monta Ellis to a 3 year, $25 Million deal. Last season, Ellis averaged 19.2 Points, and 6 assists per game. Despite solid numbers, Ellis was a horrific 3-Point Shooter, shooting a dismil 28.7 percent (The lowest among eligable players). Calderon had the highest percentage at 46.1. Even though Ellis averaged 19.1 points per game, he shot a stumbling .416 Field Goal Percentage. Both Calderon and Ellis need to work on defense and be a more consistent shooter if they want to prove to Mark Cuban, that they will be the Mavericks future backcourt.

Balfour Extends Save Streak

Oakland A's Closer Grant Baulfour has extended his save streak to 43, as he shut down the Red Sox yesturday. Balfour recorded his 25th save of 25 chances and also has a 1.67 E.R.A. this season. Balfour has been part of the reason why the A's are in first place, in the A.L. West this season.

Davis Ties Reggies Record

A Towering Shot in the 3rd Inning off Blue Jays Starter Josh Johnson, put Oriles 1B Chris Davis in the Record books. Davis tied Reggie Jackson's A.L. Pre-All Star record of most HR by an A.L. player before the All-Star Break. Davis also picked up his 91st RBIof the season, with a 1st Inning Double. He smacked in 2 more RBI with his 37th Homer of the season. Davis also put his name in the record books for the second time this game by joining Miguel Cabrera as the only players in MLB History to have 30 HR and 90 RBI, before the All-Star Break.

Melancon Added to All-Star Team

With Atlanta Braves 1B Freddie Freeman injured, Pirates reliever Mark Melancon will replace him for the final roster spot on the N.L. All-Star Team. This gives the Pirates 5 All-Stars (Andrew McCutchen, Jeff Locke, Jason Grilli, Pedro Alvarez, and Melancon) since 1972. Melancon will earn a $10,000 bouns for being on the All-Star Team. Melancon has been lights out of the pen thus far for Pittsburgh, as he has the 2nd lowest ERA among MLB relievers, 0.81.

San Fransico Reliever Sergio Romo was also selected to go the All-Star game, as his manager, Bruce Bochey selected him to be part of the N.L. Team. Romo has 21 saves and a 2.86 ERA this season. Orioles Starter Chris Tillman was selected by A.L. Manager Jim Leyland to replace Tigers ace, Justin Verlander.

Hawks Have A New Big Man

After losing Power Forward Josh Smith to the Detriot Pistons, the Atlanta Hawks quickly grabbed the 2nd best Power Forward on the market, Paul Millsap. Millsap and Atlanta agreed to a 2 year, $19 Million Contract. Millsap will replace the great Josh Smith. Paul is no Josh Smith, but has had success with the Jazz, ever since Carlos Boozer left the team in 2010. He played with a great center in Al Jefferson, who also left Utah for the Charlotte Bobcats. Millsap averaged 14.6 points and 7.7 rebounds for the Jazz last season. Millsap is usually a good scoring option from the low post or from mid range. He had good expirence in the pick and roll game when All-Star Deron Williams was feeding it to him. The same success should come with Jeff Teague this season. Millsap should have success in Atlanta front court and will have plenty of scoring opportunities this season.

Pistons Add Josh Smith

With an aging Charlie Villanueva, the Pistons were hoping to find a tall, athletic Power Forward, that can help out Center Greg Monroe. Josh Smith was the right call to help out Monroe. Detriot and Smith agreed to a 4 year, $54 Million Contract. For the last 6 seasons, Smith has helped lead the Atlanta Hawks to the playoffs. He helped Atlanta win 3 of the 6 times in the first round. Smith will have to adjust to play with a new great Center, in Greg Monroe, instead of playing withh Al Horford. Smith is a rare talented Power Forward. He is a great dribbler, good shot blocker, can shoot anywhere, except for his pitiful 28% from downtown. He is a good post player and will give you great hustle on every play. He is the only NBA player to average 15 points, 7 Rebounds, 3 Assists, 2 Blocks, 1 Steal per game since blocks and steals became an offical stat. He also became one of 4 players in the last 8 years to average at least 17 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assits per game. This Pistons Front Court will have a formidable 1-2 punch in Josh Smith and Greg Monroe, this season.

The Pistons also reunited with veteran PG Chauncey Billups to a 2 year deal. Billups will be expected to mentor youngsters Brandon Knight and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

Bucks Got Some Mayo

With the loss of star guards Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings, the Milwaukee Bucks werein deep need of finding a good scoring guard. That's why they signed SG O.J. Mayo to a 3 year, $24 Million deal. Last Season, Mayo did nice job for the Mavericks as he averaged 15.3 points and 4.4 assits per game. Mayo is more of an outside scorer and shoots from long range at a reasonable rate and average. Although Mayo is no Monta Ellis, he still solidifies a position that the Bucks will use as a big scorer. The Bucks also added PG Luke Ridinour to bring a brand new backout in Milwaukee.

Houston, We Have A Howard

The Rockets have added the best player on the FA Market in Dwight Howard, and are looking to be big contenders in the Western Conference this season. According to sources, Houston and Howard agreed on a 4 year, $88 Millioncontract. Last season, Howard led the NBA in rebounds (12.4), averaged 17.1 points per game, had a .578 Field Goal Percentage, and 2.4 blocks per game. Howard didn't want to play with Kobe Bryant anymore, or be a castoff player on the Lakers. He wanted to started fresh again and chose Houston. Howard will team up with James Harden to form a new Dynamic Duo in Houston. This will be bad news for Center Omir Asik, as he will have to backup Howard, after having a solid first season with the team. Asik will probably request a release, but for now, Howard is the Big Man In the House.