Rays bring back Pena

Baseball Betting Lines

01/24/2012 - St. Petersburg, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Tampa Bay Rays signed first baseman Carlos Pena to a one-year, $7.25 million contract on Tuesday.

Pena, 33, played for the Rays from 2007-10 before joining the Chicago Cubs last season. He batted .225 with a team-leading 28 home runs and 80 runs batted in.

"Carlos is one of the most accomplished players in team history and he is a great fit for our club in 2012 both on and off the field," said Rays executive vice president, baseball operations Andrew Friedman. "He adds to our offense with his power while maintaining the high defensive standard we seek."

Pena's best season was 2007 with Tampa Bay, as he boasted career-best numbers of 46 homers, 121 RBI and a .282 batting average. In his other three years with the Rays, Pena hit just .224, including a mere .196 in 2010. He was an All-Star in 2009, when he led the American League with 39 home runs.

A former Gold Glove winner, Pena has clubbed 258 home runs in a career that began with Texas 11 years ago, but is only a .239 lifetime hitter. He has also played for Oakland, Detroit and Boston.

Freefootballchance Baseball Betting News

<< Bobcats' Augustin to miss 4 games
Charlotte, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Charlotte Bobcats guard D.J. Augustin will miss four games due to an inflammatory condition of the sesmoid bones that lie in the flexor tendons on his right big toe. Augustin was seen by Charlotte orthoped

<< La Russa to manage 2012 NL All-Star team
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The retired Tony La Russa will serve as the manager of the National League All-Star team for the 2012 Midsummer Classic at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City on July 10th. The longtime manager of the St. Lo

<< Cincinnati extends Jones for three years
Cincinnati, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Head football coach Butch Jones received a three-year contract extension from Cincinnati on Tuesday. The extension runs through the 2017 season. "I have tremendous faith in Coach Jones and his ability

<< Giants, Lincecum reach 2-year deal
San Francisco, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Giants and two-time NL Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum have reached a verbal agreement on a two-year contract, avoiding arbitration. The San Francisco Chronicle reported the deal on Tuesday

<< Prince goes to Detroit for a king's ransom
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Say what you want about super agent Scott Boras, but in the end he always gets his man his money. The latest example came on Tuesday when Prince Fielder, who some suggested over the weekend may have to set

Dolphins' Soliai added to AFC Pro Bowl roster >>
Davie, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Paul Soliai has replaced Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Haloti Ngata on the AFC Pro Bowl roster. Soliai had 27 tackles in 16 games (12 starts) this season. He will be play

Former NFL player and Fresno State coach Boone dies >>
Fresno, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Former NFL player and Fresno State head coach JR Boone passed away in his sleep on Sunday at his home in Selma. He was 86. In six seasons as a running back and safety with the Bears, Packers and 49ers, Boone

Motherwell goes third with win over Dunfermline >>
Motherwell, Scotland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Despite playing for much of the match with only 10 men, Motherwell earned an impressive 3-1 defeat of last-place Dunfermline at Fir Park on Tuesday to take sole possession of third place in the Sco

Canadian Tour announces part of 2012 schedule >>
Oakville, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Canadian Tour announced eight dates for the 2012 season on Tuesday. The Canadian part of the schedule will kick off with the 30th playing of the Times Colonist Island Savings Open. That will be follow

Lemieux statue to be unveiled in March >>
Pittsburgh, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Pittsburgh Penguins owner Mario Lemieux is set to have a statue in his honor unveiled by the club in early March. The presentation will take place at noon on March 7, prior to the Pens' home contest agai

El Duque expected to throw Tuesday

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.

Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.

El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.

MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds. 

Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.

New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.

Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''

Additional baseball lines and World Series odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.