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MLB: Around The League

Around The League is a new segment on Sports Junkie which will give you the latest headlines and top stories going on in that league. Our first edition will be Major League Baseball, so let's dive in:

Red Sox, Reds, and Phillies Leaders in Oswalt Race

Oswalt is believed to have interest in joining the Cardinals or Rangers, but those clubs may not have the cash to sign him. With only two weeks until spring training, Oswalt may not be able to wait on those guys much longer, and would have to accept a deal from either the Red Sox, Reds, or Phillies.

Manny Ramirez Deciding Between Orioles, Blue Jays, and Oakland

Ramirez has practiced for the Jays, Orioles, and Athletics and has believed to have his options narrowed down to those three teams. The soon to be 40 year old slugger played five games last year for the Rays.

Lincecum Drops 22 Pounds

Tim Lincecum has lost about 22 pounds this off season. Lincecum already had a lanky frame as he was 197 pounds on his 5’11 frame. He started eating healthier and stopped worrying about putting on weight. As a result he will start next season at a weight of 175 pounds.

O’s Trade Jeremy Guthrie to Rockies

The Baltimore Orioles have traded one of their best pitchers to the Rockies. Jeremy Guthrie, who has been the opening day starter for the O’s most of the past few seasons has been shipped to Colorado in exchange for relief pitcher Matt Lindstrom and right-handed pitcher Jason Hammel.

Josh Hamilton addressed the media in a 12 minute press conference regarding his alcohol relapse earlier this week, and did not answer any questions. He did seem remorseful, but shed no tears and had no prepared speech in hand. Hamilton is a recovering drug and alcohol addict, and was suspended for over three years after being drafted number one overall by the Tampa Bay Rays. Since recovering, Hamilton has been one of the best players in the league, leading his team to back to back AL penants, and winning AL MVP in 2010.

In his press conference, Hamilton said, "Things happened that me, personally, I'm not proud of after I drank, and they are personal and being handled as that. Knowing this was going to get out in social media, Twitter, people get excited. There was no pictures taken of me having a beer with somebody or anything like that, but I did take pictures with people."

Hamilton would not specify what he had done that night, but he was not proud of it. All that was said is that he had a "weak moment" with a family member that stemmed from "personal reasons" and that he walked into a restaurant to have a meal and ended up having three or four drinks. Those drinks were what led to more drinking and probably what led to his actions that he is ashamed of.

Personally, I think the man is entitled to have drinks as long as he is not out of control. Without knowing exactly what happened, I would say that it is in everyone's best interest if we left the man alone, and just made sure that he is surrounded by people who can take care of him if he wants to have a little fun!