Looks like Houston has taken a big risk for their rotation next season, signing free agent lefty Mike Hampton to a one year deal.

The deal is approved with the condition of Hampton passing a physical.

Hampton is only the second free agent to sign a deal in what's been a quiet offseason.

According to ESPN.com and the Elias Sports Bureau, Hampton failed to qualify as a type A or type B free agent, therefor Atlanta does not receive a compensation pick from Houston in next year's amateur draft.

September 15, 2008
by Chris Lima
108 Red Stitches

Carlos Zambrano has had some season. Arm troubles, trips to the DL, crazy wins, head scratching losses. This time, after not having pitched since September 2nd, Zambrano did something that no Cubs hurler has done in 36 years.

He tossed a No-No. Even with arm fatigue and not having faced live hitters in twelve days.

Imagine what he could do when he's finally healthy.

Zambrano walked one batter and hit another, the only blemishes on an otherwise perfect performance.

Zambrano wound up throwing 110 pitches, which might be cause for concern for Cubs fans, after all the pomp and circumstance is over.

Here's the odd part; Zambrano threw the no-hitter in Miller Park. Against the Houston Astros, who, the last time we checked, were not the Milwaukee Brewers. The game was moved to Miller Park (Brewers home field) because of Hurricane Ike.

According to the Associated Press, " Astros pitcher Shawn Chacon was suspended indefinitely by the team Wednesday for insubordination after reportedly grabbing general manager Ed Wade by the neck and throwing him to the ground."

Chacon had been upset with management after being demoted to the bullpen. According to the AP story on ESPN.com;

...this problem began when Wade saw him in the dining room before the game against Texas. Wade wanted to meet with Chacon in manager Cecil Cooper's office, the pitcher said.

Chacon said things went downhill from there.

"He started yelling and cussing," Chacon said of Wade, according to a story on the Chronicle's Web site. "I'm sitting there and I said to him very calmly, 'Ed, you need to stop yelling at me.' Then I stood up and said, 'You better stop yelling at me.' I stood up. He continued and was basically yelling."

Chacon said that after Wade told him he needed to "look in the mirror," it got worse.

"So at that point I lost my cool and I grabbed him by the neck and threw him to the ground. I jumped on top of him," he said. "Words were exchanged."

Chacon said players quickly came and separated the two. He recalled outfielder Reggie Abercrombie pulling him away from Wade.

Name: J.R Towles
Organization: Houston Astros
Position: Catcher
Born: 2/11/1984
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Drafted: 2004, 20th Round



After a September call up, Towles proved to the Astros organization that he's qualified to handle the catching duties on the Major League Level.
Towles set a Astro record last season against the Cardinals, driving in eight runs in an 18-1 stomping.
Towles, initially was slow to move through the farm system, spending three seasons bouncing between rookie ball and Lexington.
2007 led to a horrific offensive start (Towles batted .200 in 90 at-bats in Salem) but was promoted twice before joining the Astros in September of that year. Astro pitchers have praised Towles' work behind the plate, but he could stand to work on his footwork and keeping would be base stealers quiet.
J.R. also has his own website and is a devout follower of the Christian Faith. He even has his own wristbands that are inscribed with "IBBWJ", or Taking an Intentional Walk With Jesus:
" These cool wrist bands are an exciting way to promote the unique message JR and staff had come up with. In a score book for baseball an "IBB" is an intentional walk. What a wonderful thought to have an "IBB" by your name in the book of Life, as you travel on your "Intentional Walk with Jesus"."

Tough day in the Tejada household. First, Houston Astro's shortstop learns that Congress has asked the Justice Department to investigate whether or not Tejada may have lied during a 2005 interview regarding Rafael Palmeiro's steroid case.

Next, he learns that his older brother Manuel Tejada died in a car crash.

According to Enrique Rojas, of ESPN Deportes;

"Freddy Manuel Tejada, 37, died Tuesday afternoon when the motorcycle he was riding collided with a sport utility vehicle in Bani, a city in the southern part of the Dominican Republic."

It was a rough day for the former American League MVP. If the Justice Department finds evidence that proves he lied, Tejada could be in a world of hurt. In an intial interview during the first Congressional Steroid Hearings, this encounter (according to a letter to the US General Attorney obtained by ESPN.com News Services) between Tejada and the panel took place:

"No, I never heard," Tejada replied.

"You never knew of any other player using steroids?" Tejada was asked.

"No," he replied.

"Have you ever taken a steroid before?" he was asked at another point.

"No," he said.

Tejada also answered "No" when asked whether he had ever taken any illegal performance-enhancing drugs, andro or any other steroid precursor.

However, according to the Mitchell Report, ex-Athletic teammate Adam Piatt recalled conversations with Tejada regarding Performance Enhancing Drugs.
The report also contains two checks from Tejada to Piatt (for $3,100 and $3,200) as evidence that such encounter/transaction occured in the past.