Navigation: Jump to content areas:

Network Bar & Login
Section Navigation
Main Blog Content
Secondary Sidebar: Links to Recent Stories, FanPosts and FanShots
Masthead

Around SBN: Hugh Douglas Admits To Stealing From Jaguars

Bullish

by Grant Brisbee on Dec 26, 2007 1:48 PM PST in News

When you come across a murder scene, the first thing you do is:

a. Call 911
b. Run away screaming
c. Cancel the victim's Costco membership

If you answered "c", then you're ready to talk about the Giants' bullpen. There's nothing quite like focusing on something that needs to be done even if it's #43,103 on the list of priorities.

The competitors for seven bullpen spots:

Players who pitched for the Giants last year

RHP
Brian Wilson
Tyler Walker
Brad Hennessey
Randy Messenger
Vinnie Chulk (if healthy)
Kevin Correia (if not in rotation)

LHP
Steve Kline
Jack Taschner
Erick Threets
Jonathan Sanchez (if not in rotation)
Pat Misch (if not in rotation)

Players not in the majors in 2007 (The Longshots)

RHP
Keiichi Yabu (I meant to link to the signing earlier....)
Billy Sadler
Justin Hedrick
Brian Anderson
Sergio Romo
Taylor Wilding
Kelvin Pichardo

LHP
Jose M. Capellan (Rule 5 pick)

Full house. There isn't a whole bunch of guaranteed quality, but if you figure that Wilson, Walker, Hennessey, Kline, and two of Sanchez/Correia/Misch are near locks for the roster, there is certainly quantity. Without a trade, only one spot will be open. Messenger or Chulk would probably have the inside track.

After the $10M thrown at Eric Gagne, I'm backing away from the "sign a busted reliever and then trade him"-philosophy. Octavio Dotel would be a good fit in that respect, but he'll probably be too expensive, and he'll probably get a two- or three-year deal.

My only suggestions:

Make Steve Kline go away. Someone will want him for free.
Use Kline's roster spot to evaluate Capellan or Threets.
Stack the AAA bullpen with a majority of the longshots, and keep a hand on the red phone.

No trades. No three-year deals to relievers like Jeremy Affeldt. It ain't a pretty bullpen, but there aren't any quick fixes to be found. It would be more realistic to hope for surprise performances from within the system.

Tweet Comment 59 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Re: Bullish

I think your plan is a good one. If the Giants were able to pick up a young but about-to-emerge veteran reliever in a trade, that would help too.

But as you correctly point out, the quantity is there. Get rid of Kline (Why was it again that he was re-signed?)and give Capellan a shot. Now is the time to take big risks, since big rewards are what is needed.

Go young. The Giants probably won't get much worse -- and they might get even better, particularly their pitching staff, which was pretty good last year anyway.

I don't expect most of the young position players to work out very well, but isn't now the time to prove if they can do it? It's all about preparing the team for the next decade. This one is shot.

by sharksrog on Dec 26, 2007 1:44 PM PST reply actions

Re: Bullish

Capellan! Capellan! Capellan!

Is it true what they say, "if you don't use it, you lose it -- in regards to rule 5 picks?"

Here's to Kemp, Loney, LaRoche, Hu, and Kershaw not panning out.

by Woody Wins on Dec 26, 2007 1:49 PM PST reply actions

Kline/Capellan

I hope people aren't still thinking that this Jose Cappellan is the guy who hit 100 MPH in the futures game a few years ago. That guy was a RHP, ours is a LHP. Chances are there's a reason why he wasn't protected on a 40 man roster.

Haven't several of the young relievers commented that Kline helped them a lot with the veteran savve/mentoring stuff? He may be worth keeping around just for that. It's not like we have any obvious next Mariano Rivera's waiting in the wings to step into his place.

Isn't Merkin Valdez out of options? If so, that would mean he's have to be on the 25 man roster as soon as he completes a rehab, or else have to pass waivers before getting sent down.

by DrBGiantsfan on Dec 26, 2007 2:01 PM PST reply actions

Re: Kline/Capellan

Yea, there's two Jose Capellanses. We have the shitty one.

Capellan!

Here's to Kemp, Loney, LaRoche, Hu, and Kershaw not panning out.

by Woody Wins on Dec 26, 2007 2:06 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Kline/Capellan

I believe that at this particular time the Giants acquired the correct Jose Capellan.

I originally found out about the move from a long-time Giants fan who followed the Rule 5 draft pretty carefully. He told me it was the righthander.

I looked up both players -- and actually returned his i-message saying that I was disappointed it was the righthander, since I like the lefty better.

And indeed it did turn out to be the southpaw, who I believe is six years younger. I like the draft choice. Even if it doesn't work out, at least the Giants took a small risk in order to try to get younger and better.

by sharksrog on Dec 26, 2007 5:17 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Kline/Capellan

Wow, you're right. We have the un-shitty one.

Here's to Kemp, Loney, LaRoche, Hu, and Kershaw not panning out.

by Woody Wins on Dec 27, 2007 7:39 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Kline/Capellan

Chances are there's a reason why he wasn't protected on a 40 man roster.

Probably because Boston didn't think a MLB team would try and rush him from A-ball. Still, for all of the crap I give the Giants organization, they're probably a top-five organization when it comes to evaluating young pitchers. Capellan is the first Rule 5 pitcher taken in Sabean/Tidrow's history. There's probably a good reason why.

by Grant Brisbee on Dec 26, 2007 2:15 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Kline/Capellan

They thought he was the other Jose Capellan too?

by ResDog on Dec 26, 2007 2:22 PM PST up reply actions

Possible

Now, that may in fact be possible! LOL!

by DrBGiantsfan on Dec 26, 2007 3:24 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Kline/Capellan

Classic!

by achiappanza on Dec 27, 2007 10:11 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Kline/Capellan

Sabean snagged Capellan because:

Capellan throws with his left hand
Kline is more bullpen coach than bullpen performer
Threets is a wild card of Nuka LaLoosh proportions
Taschner deserves the "Trashner" monicker
Misch & Sanchez will get a shot at the rotation?
Misch & Sanchez are trade bait?

So, in sum, Capellan throws with his left hand. Sabean is nearly as obsessive with stockpiling left handed pitching as he is with stockpiling center fielders.

Defender of Noah Lowry.

by Kid Fresh on Dec 26, 2007 3:49 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Kline/Capellan

I don't believe Jack Taschner deserves the "Trashner" moniker any more than if we called you "Kid Spoiled."

by sharksrog on Dec 26, 2007 5:18 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Kline/Capellan

The only reason I called him Traschner was because if you previewed on an order of his jersey on the Giants site last year, it said "TRASCHNER".

Face first with Aaron Rowand.

by SoFa King Mike on Dec 26, 2007 8:20 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Kline/Capellan

Sharksrog--> "Believe" anything you want. Jack Tachner sports a career 5.09 ERA and 1.51 WHIP over three major league baseball seasons. More than 90 innings pitched, and he's getting worse, not better.

If the name calling offends you, sorry. I'm sure Jack is a nice human being and not a piece of garbage. But we are discussing the 2008 Giants bullpen here, and who should be included and who should not be included. The "Trashner" reference was just short hand for "As a Giants fan, I don't want to see this guy in the pen in 2008."

Call me Kid Spoiled as often as you like. I've been called much worse, on this very site in fact.

Defender of Noah Lowry.

by Kid Fresh on Dec 26, 2007 10:00 PM PST up reply actions

Traschner/Kid Spoiled

Being a defender of Noah Lowry can provoke occasional name-calling.

The SF Giants: we're not much, but you should check out our team in Augusta!

by Lyle @ McCovey Chronicles on Dec 27, 2007 5:17 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Traschner/Kid Spoiled

It's a lot easier to defend Noah Lowry than Jack Taschner!

Defender of Noah Lowry.

by Kid Fresh on Dec 27, 2007 7:43 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Kline/Capellan

I went and looked up Capellan's stats from Lowell in the NYP League last year. Not too bad! 4-3, 3.69. 75.2 IP, 11 BB, 71 K. He may well be worth a Johan Santana type bullpen stash for a year or two. Hard to fathom Sabean thinking along those lines, but he couldn't be all that much worse than Kline and Taschner were last year, right?

by DrBGiantsfan on Dec 26, 2007 6:16 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Kline/Capellan

Low HR/9 too. If you can pound your spots with low-90s stuff from the left side...makes more sense on a rebuilding team than does Kline, that's for sure. But we'll see what he looks like in March.

by Grant Brisbee on Dec 26, 2007 8:15 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Kline/Capellan

nice link to Capellan here:

http://www.soxprospects.com/players/capellan-jose.htm

by slojoe on Dec 27, 2007 2:38 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Kline/Capellan

cont..

scouting report on Capellan from that page:

"Scouting Report: Capellan works with an arsenal of three pitches that he mixes in well. His fastball sits around 89-91 mph which moves away from righties and in on lefties. Doesn't get enough swings-and-misses with his fastball, but he does have good command to paint corners. His mid-70s curveball has plus-potential with a nice bite, but Capellan still needs to perfect his command of the pitch. The curve is his best pitch, and he uses it to get out of jams very well. Variations of his curve can also get up to the mid 80s with slurve-type movement. His changeup sits around 78-79 mph and is average to above average. Capellan's 3/4 delivery is fairly smooth and repeatable. As a lefty, he has a quick sidearm pickoff move to first base. Great clubhouse guy, mature and intimidating mound presence. Good focus. Needs to work on keeping his weight down."

by slojoe on Dec 27, 2007 2:41 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Merkin Valdez

With the rotation pretty much set for the next few years, it may be time for Merkin to be reborn as a real reliever. Get him working with Nen and company and see if he can't turn into a shutdown reliever. He may never get his stamina up after TJ, but if the 'stuff' comes around, he be a nice piece to have.

by chefasaurus on Dec 26, 2007 2:38 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Kline/Capellan

Obviously it would be a no-risk move for another team, but if Valdez is exposed to the waiver wire, would teams be willing to sign him? He's got talent, IIRC, but hasn't been able to keep his walks down (?) and hasn't been particularly successful.

"He called the sh** POOP!" -- Adam Sandler

by JRPhillips on Dec 26, 2007 2:41 PM PST up reply actions

Valdez Control

In his last stint at 3A in 2006, Valdez pitched in 46 games for a total of 50 innings. He gave 52 hits and 6 HR's. He also had 48 SO, 39 BB, 5 HBP and 8 WP in those 50 innings.

My adopted son Matt Downs. Because face it, everybody else was already taken by the time I got here.

by nvsfg on Dec 26, 2007 3:04 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Valdez Control

But you - and Chefasaurus - didn't answer the question... You think another team would take a chance on grabbing him if he's exposed to waivers? Those numebers aren't eye popping, that's for sure!

"He called the sh** POOP!" -- Adam Sandler

by JRPhillips on Dec 27, 2007 12:25 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Valdez Control

I absolutely think another team would take a chance on him. With the recent emergence of talented post-TJ pitchers, I think I team would be very interested in a free Merkin Valdez. He's still only 27 and had a some pretty good success before his injury.

by chefasaurus on Dec 27, 2007 2:08 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Kline/Capellan

"He's got talent, IIRC, but hasn't been able to keep his walks down (?) and hasn't been particularly successful."

Wouldn't that make him the ultimate candidate for a pitcher on your San Francisco Giants? Talented but not able to keep his walks down. I think that sums up the entire pitching staff, from Cain to Taschner.

by chefasaurus on Dec 26, 2007 4:22 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Kline/Capellan

No, there is also "untalented and unable to keep his walks down".

by zenbitz on Dec 26, 2007 5:27 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Bullish

Steve Kline has to be one of the bigger wastes of a roster space. There's absolutely no reason for him to be on this team other than complete lack of interest from any other team.

by KCE on Dec 26, 2007 3:03 PM PST reply actions

Re: Bullish

I'm pretty bllish on the bullpen myself. It's numbers last year weren't all that good over the full year, but the aggregate suffered from an excess of Benitez and Youth, and a derth of roles and rest, plus two helping of that thing I understand is called bad luck. I'm fairly sure that by the beginning of June nobody will even remember that the bullpen was on the list of off season concerns, and I mean that in a good way.

by prospecthound on Dec 26, 2007 3:15 PM PST reply actions

Re: Bullish

I'm with you on that. I know our bullpen blew a bunch of leads this past year, and probably for the exact reasons you mentioned above. I really don't see that signing a couple journeyman relievers is going to cure what ails us. If we were to upgrade the bullpen, it would need to be a real upgrade. You should be able to get the same production out of younger, cheaper guys than you would out of cagey veterans for a few million a pop.

"He called the sh** POOP!" -- Adam Sandler

by JRPhillips on Dec 26, 2007 3:55 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Bullish

I agree. Assuming Wilson, or Walker, or Hennessey, or Sadler can handle closing, I don't think we should be spending money on the bullpen.

The SF Giants: we're not much, but you should check out our team in Augusta!

by Lyle @ McCovey Chronicles on Dec 27, 2007 5:21 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Bullish

Not to bring people down after the holidays, but has there been any confirmed discussions re: Feliz recently? I heard mention of a 3-year deal on the radio when I was driving and almost crashed my car.

by Lincecum Cain Then Pray For Rain on Dec 26, 2007 4:05 PM PST reply actions

Re: Bullish

Also, Klesko is still unsigned. And I'm still nervous.

BB

All those Giants fans down in Giants land love that Crazy Crab!

by BlackDougal on Dec 26, 2007 4:12 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Klesko

Isn't Ryan on his way to Boston in a one year deal?

by NearestNorwich on Dec 26, 2007 7:28 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Klesko

I'll chip in for that!

BB

All those Giants fans down in Giants land love that Crazy Crab!

by BlackDougal on Dec 27, 2007 4:02 PM PST up reply actions

He wanted a 3 year contract.

Only if it's 3 yrs. 2 mil per I think the McCoven would not revolt.

Coming to you from the Land of Many Beers

by WalrusMan on Dec 26, 2007 4:13 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Bullish

Given that Feliz made $5 million last year, I doubt that Sabean will have the business acumen to negotiate him down. Sabean views Feliz as a league average 3B and so Sabean thinks it's reasonable to offer him the league average salary for a starting 3B (which is probably around $4 million), regardless of contract length. He'll conveniently ignore, of course, the fact that Feliz will be 32 years old and hasn't improved at all since he became a starter in 2004. Good times.

by Lincecum Cain Then Pray For Rain on Dec 26, 2007 4:39 PM PST reply actions

Re: Bullish

He does have a hell of a glove. Despite age, given that defense I'd be on board for another one-year deal around $4m, or a two-plus-option deal for $2-3m per.

by wcw on Dec 26, 2007 5:07 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Bullish

He does have a great glove and, despite his woeful plate discipline, is worth the $4M (and maybe even the same $5M salary). My worry is that Sabean will do something creative to justify his existence by offering 3 years/$15M with the thought of flipping him to a contender for a prospect down the road. Not that the Red Sox, Yankees, Tigers, Mets, Cubs, etc. would have any use for Feliz, but it's nice to dream.

by Lincecum Cain Then Pray For Rain on Dec 26, 2007 5:21 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Bullish

Pedro Feliz actually HAS improved a lot since his rookie season -- particulary in his fielding.

by sharksrog on Dec 26, 2007 5:20 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Bullish

Tasch is the guy that I'd like to see succeed. He had a horrible ERA and a pretty badWHIP, but his K/9 and H/9 were quite good. In fact, his K/9 was third on the team behind Timmy and Sanchez and his H/9 was only second to Timmy. His .235 BAA is respectable as well. It's just those darn walks.

I'd like to see if Tasch can get the BB under control next year. It's his only real problem. His BAA w/RISP and all the "clutch" pitching stats are good as well through out his career. So it's not even the 'reliever mentality' problems that Corriea and Sanchez seemed to have. Just the walks.

by chefasaurus on Dec 26, 2007 5:20 PM PST reply actions

Actually

Tasch was third in H/9 on the Giants of pitchers with 50+ IP behind starters Cain and Lincecum.

While his 5.22 BB/9 is bad I see Taschner's main problem being his inability to get out LH batters as a LHP. Against LH batters his BAA was .316 with a WHIP of 1.81. If he could bring those numbers closer to his RH batter splites of BAA .176 WHIP 1.24 he will be far more valuable in the 'pen.

by Cainer on Dec 26, 2007 6:05 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Actually

if they would stop bringing him in to face lefties like he was some kind of specialist...

by slojoe on Dec 27, 2007 2:46 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Bullish

Many Giants relievers could be effective if they could get their walks under control. Eric Threets and Merkin Valdez come to mind. The difference with Taschner is that he's had three MLB seasons to "straighten out" the number of walks he issues...

Defender of Noah Lowry.

by Kid Fresh on Dec 27, 2007 7:49 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Bullish

the difference is Taschner has actually had some success in both AAA and MLB...
more than can be said for Threets and Valdez...

by slojoe on Dec 27, 2007 2:52 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Sergio Romo

I'm interested in seeing how Sergio Romo progresses this season. Hopefully he's given opportunity to progress rapidly. I like that he's already working as a reliever and those K and BB rates are unbelievable. Is it realistic to think he may be in the 'pen by September? Those number from 2007 scream "bullpen relief"

http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=27315

by chefasaurus on Dec 27, 2007 10:36 AM PST reply actions

Re: Bullish

Traschner makes Bryan Hickerson look like Warren Spahn.

by BuffyLaCoss on Dec 27, 2007 11:18 AM PST reply actions

Re: Bullish

I thought that any rule 5 pick had to be on the major league roster for the entire season. If the drafting team can't keep him on the roster he has to be offered back to the team he was drafted from. I am wrong about this? If that's true then Sabean must be planning for Capellan to be in the bullpen or he wouldn't have drafted him.

by marklar on Dec 27, 2007 12:18 PM PST reply actions

Re: Bullish

I'd asked this same question before, too. I think the way it works is, if it's a minor league Rule 5, they simply have to advance a level in the minors and stay above the previous level. So if he was in AA, Capellan would have to be in AAA or the majors, but he can't be demoted back to AA.

If I have that wrong, someone please correct me. I also don't know if he's a Rule 5er at the AAA or above level already, so... Take that for what it's worth...

"He called the sh** POOP!" -- Adam Sandler

by JRPhillips on Dec 27, 2007 12:23 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Bullish

I found this at Baseball Almanac:

"To prevent teams from drafting players willy-nilly, each Rule 5 pick must be kept in the major leagues the entire following season or be offered back to his former team for half of the $50,000 selection price. Few players are ready for such a jump, so only about 10-15 get picked each year. Fewer still last the whole season in the big leagues.

"They have to keep a guy for the whole year, so a lot of teams are safe," says Paul Snyder, the Braves' director of scouting and player development. "But there have been kids drafted out of A-ball"."

by marklar on Dec 27, 2007 12:44 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Bullish

I thought Capellan was taken in the major league part of the draft, but that could be wrong.

Steve Kline: How okay is he, really? I would say he is pretty okay.

by groug on Dec 27, 2007 12:48 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Bullish

I should have looked farther before my last post. I also found this:

"Organizations may also draft players from AA or lower to play on their AAA affiliates for $12,000, and may draft players from A teams or lower to play for their AA affiliates for $4,000."

So I am back to where I was; I still don't know if he will be on the 25-man roster or not.

by marklar on Dec 27, 2007 12:52 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Bullish

There's no way of knowing at this point. The vast majority of Rule V picks don't make the 25 man roster out of ST and must be offered back to their original team, though frequently the drafting team will then try to work out a deal with the original team so as to keep the player in their system. Just because we drafted him in Rule V doesn't mean he's guaranteed a spot or even that it's likely he'll get one. It's more likely he won't (again, most don't), but it's a no-risk chance that's worth taking.

My boy ain't fat, he's just big boned. Big bat, too.

by Roger on Dec 27, 2007 1:04 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Bullish

The drafting team is out $25,000 if the player is returned (the Giants paid $50,000 to draft him, and then Boston would pay $25,000 to reacquire him, I think). But that's the only risk.

by Grant Brisbee on Dec 27, 2007 1:38 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Bullish

Of course there's no way of knowing, but the fact that Sabean did take him in the major league portion of the draft, indicates the intent, at least at this point in time, is he will be on the 25-man roster. It's a good, low risk/high gain, gamble by Sabean.

by marklar on Dec 27, 2007 2:50 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Bullish

thats the relevant point- he was taken in the major league portion of the Rule 5 draft...means he has to
stay on the 25-man all year, not just above his previous level a la Eugenio Velez

by slojoe on Dec 27, 2007 2:59 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Bullish

"Organizations may also draft players from AA or lower to play on their AAA affiliates for $12,000, and may draft players from A teams or lower to play for their AA affiliates for $4,000."

That reference is in regards to the minor league portions of the Rule 5 draft. The rules are that Capellan must stay on the 25 man roster to stay a Giant. If he doesn't, he must be 'offered' back to his previous team, who may take him back and pay back $25K of the $50K the Giants paid, or turn down taking him back and keep the $50K (this happened with Velez, but that was a $12K deal), or work out a trade so the Giants can keep Capellan.

Whether or not he will actually be on the 25-man roster is a huge question that won't be answered until ST. But even if he isn't, that doesn't mean he won't stay with the Giants.

SFDugout.com - Returning Offseason 2007

by BruteSentiment on Dec 27, 2007 6:10 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Bullish

Didn't know much about this move, whether he was a minor league 5er or a major league 5er. So he DOES have to stay on the 25 man roster to stay a Giant? That's going to crowd the bullpen even further. That's a good thing, but I fear I'm going to have to say goodbye to some of my favorite bullpen guys. And probably not Steve Kline!

"He called the sh** POOP!" -- Adam Sandler

by JRPhillips on Dec 28, 2007 9:05 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Bullish

That is not a bad bullpen, really, especially if Wilson shows up. Have you looked around the league?

I am seconding that the Giants got the right Cappellan, too.

But really, damn, none of this matters much: get some BATS!

ScoutingBook: Top Baseball Prospects, Closers and more.

by scoutingbook on Jan 2, 2008 8:55 AM PST reply actions

Comments For This Post Are Closed

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Sp-giants21_ph_t_0501991449_part6_small

The McCovey Chronicles Fantasy League, For Money.

by GiantPain 3 days ago

40 comments | 3 recs

Calvin_and_hobbes_small

2012 Adoption Draft: Who's In?

by free f.p. #14 5 days ago

362 comments | 7 recs

Calvin_and_hobbes_small

2012 Adoption Draft: Rules Discussion

by free f.p. #14 8 days ago

148 comments | 4 recs

Honus_wagner4_small

Hector & Gregor's Excellent Adventure (In the VWL)

by Fla-Giant 8 days ago

31 comments | 3 recs

Recent FanPosts

2012 MLB Draft Snapshot - Power Hitters

by shankbone about 5 hours ago

2 comments

2012 MLB Draft Snapshot – College Left Handed Pitchers

by shankbone 2 days ago

18 comments

Cormac McCarthy novel The Road

by foothillsfan 3 days ago

13 comments

2012 MLB Draft Snapshot – HS Left handed pitchers

by shankbone 4 days ago

16 comments | 1 recs

Angel Villalona reported to have a work visa

by Gianni 5 days ago

11 comments

2012 MLB Draft Snapshot – The Catchers

by shankbone 6 days ago

25 comments

Hidey-fern_small

Hiking on the 18th?

by Merope 6 days ago

5 comments | 1 recs

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Recent Posts

Copyright © 2012 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Newsletter Signup About Us Frequently Asked Questions Terms of Use Privacy Policy Guiding Principles Advertise With Us Contact Us

Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.

OpenCalais - Powered by Thomson Reuters • Odds Shark