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Shapiro working on extension with IndiansBaseball Betting Lines02/08/2007 - CLEVELAND (AP) -Mark Shapiro has one more contract he'd like to get finalized before the end of spring training - his own. The Indians general manager, in the final season of a two-year extension he signed in 2004, has had productive negotiations with Cleveland owner Paul Dolan about a new, multiyear contract. ``We have had a series of positive and substantive conversations that leave me hopeful we will get something done,'' Shapiro said. Dolan and Shapiro had agreed to delay talks until after the club's winter makeover, which included the signing of six free agents as well as the acquisition of second baseman Josh Barfield in a trade. With the Indians' roster set - at least until spring training starts - Shapiro and Dolan have been discussing a wide range of bigger-picture issues about the club, including the GM's future. ``They (talks) have gone well,'' Dolan said Thursday. ``I fully expect that we'll get a deal with Mark.'' Ideally, the sides would like to have something done during the early stages of spring training. Indians pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to Winter Haven, Fla., by Feb. 15. While negotiating player's contracts in the past, Shapiro has preferred to suspend talks if they couldn't be completed before start of the regular season. He may do the same with his own deal. The 39-year-old Shapiro has been with the Indians since 1992. He took over as GM in November 2001, replacing John Hart who guided the Indians to six AL Central titles and two World Series appearances from 1994-01. In his first year, Shapiro began reconstructing the Indians, and through a series of bold trades and free-agent signings, he rebuilt both the major league team and Cleveland's minor league system. The Indians won just 68 games in 2003 and 80 in 2004. But in 2005, Cleveland went 93-69 and just missed making the playoffs. For his efforts, Shapiro was selected executive of the year by the Sporting News. However, despite being picked as a contender in 2006, the Indians finished 78-84 and in fourth place in their division. Shapiro's goal this offseason was to rebuild Cleveland's awful bullpen and he did so by signing free agent relievers Joe Borowski, Keith Foulke, Roberto Hernandez and Aaron Fultz to one-year deals. The Indians had a major league-low 23 saves last season. Shapiro also added free agent outfielders David Dellucci and Trot Nixon, and acquired Barfield from the San Diego Padres for infielder Kevin Kouzmanoff and right-hander Andrew Brown. Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
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NFL Football Betting : Odds on NFL Division to Win the Super BowlThe AFC South and the NFC East are the favorite divisions to have the next Super Bowl champ among them in the NFL betting odds. But more down to the point, these football odds are in favor of the Indianapolis Colts, by far the strongest team in the AFC South, and the Dallas Cowboys of the NFC East. Most sports fans would agree that these two teams top the list to win it all before the season even begins. In the BetUS Sportsbook football futures, the Colts are +800 in the odds to win the Super Bowl, while the Cowboys are sitting at +1000 and the Super Bowl XLIV champions New Orleans Saints at +900. In the AFC South, the Colts won the division for five straight years after the 2002 realignment, before the Tennessee Titans won it in 2008. But the Colts came back strong in 2009 to win the division again en route to the Super Bowl. The Cowboys are the favorite to win the NFC East, as well as to advance far into the post season. The Cowboys won the division last season before their horrendous loss in the NFC Divisional playoff to Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings. But the ‘Boys will take that loss humbly and be ready for the playoffs this time around. The NFC South is also very strong, at +600 in the NFL futures, considering that it is home to the defending Super Bowl champions. However, some predictions have the Atlanta Falcons with possibilities of claiming the divisional title this season in place of the Saints, as no team has won back-to-back division championships since the division realignment took place. Let’s not overlook the AFC North at +500. As TO goes to Cincinnati to join Chad OchoCinco and Adam “Pac-Man” Jones, this team looks to claim the division title again. And it is likely they will do so. The Bengals lost in the AFC Wild Card spot in a hard-fought battle against the New York Jets last season. Lest not forget the Pittsburgh Steelers, the XLII Super Bowl Champions… All these teams present interesting odds and matchups for the upcoming season, but the safest and surest bet seems to be with the Colts in the AFC South and the Cowboys in the NFC East. Play this weekly NFL Football Contestto see if you can win. To visit this sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your NFL football betting needs. |
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