Off Topic » I was just all over the

HOUSTON - The Chicago Cubs hope Dexter Fowler will provide outfield strength and spark at the top of the batting order.He does control the strike zone really well, Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer said Monday after acquiring Fowler from the Houston Astros for infielder Luis Valbuena and right-hander Dan Straily.Fowler, 28, hit .276 with eight homers and 35 RBIs last year in his only season with the Astros, who obtained him from Colorado for outfielder Brandon Barnes and right-hander Jordan Lyles.Fowler, who has a .271 career average, asked last week for $10.8 million in arbitration and was offered $8.5 million. He is eligible for free agency after the season.He can potentially lead off for us. I wont sit here and make the lineup card out for Joe (Maddon), but he certainly fits well in that role, Hoyer said. It really gives us much needed depth in centre field and in the outfield. We felt like we were a little bit imbalanced as far as our depth, that we were certainly a deeper team in the infield than we were in the outfield.The 29-year-old Valbuena played third base primarily last year but also saw time at second. He hit .249 with 33 doubles, 16 homers and 51 RBIs. Valbuena agreed Friday to a $4.2 million, one-year contract and can become a free agent after the 2016 World Series.Straily, 26, was 1-3 with a 6.75 ERA last season in eight starts and six relief appearances for Oakland and the Cubs, who acquired him as part of the trade that sent Jeff Samardzija to the Athletics. He was 10-8 for the As in 2013.The arrival of Fowler puts Arismendy Alcantara in more of a utility role. The departure of Valbuena creates an opening at third, although Hoyer insisted it will not accelerate prized prospect Kris Bryants arrival in the majors.He said Mike Olt, Tommy La Stella and Alcantara will compete for time until Bryant is ready.When Kris is ready, when we think hes ready to come up to the big leagues, well make that decision, Hoyer said. But certainly trading Valbuena is not gonna speed that clock up at all. Its all dependent on Kris.Chicago also agreed to a minor league contract with right-hander Daniel Bard, who has not pitched in the major leagues since 2013 with Boston. Bard had surgery in January 2014 for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, then agreed to a minor league deal with Texas. He made four appearances in June for the Hickory Crawdads of the Class A South Atlantic League and allowed 13 runs in two-thirds of an innings, a 175.50 ERA. Adidas Futurecraft 4d Kopen .ca MLB Power Rankings, the third consecutive week that the As have held top spot and the third straight week that they have been one ahead of the Toronto Blue Jays. Adidas y3 Kopen . The 21-year-old Wickham headed Sunderland into a 26th-minute lead --to add to the double he scored at Manchester City and his strike in last weekends win at Chelsea -- and then sealed the win with a late header. http://www.nmdtekoop.com/ultra-boost-sne...a-boost-19.html. Louis, MO (SportsNetwork. Adidas Ultra Boost Nederland . -- Syracuse was dangerously close to letting another less talented opponent pull off the upset when C. Adidas Human Race Nederland .C. -- Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith has been ruled out for Sundays game against the Atlanta Falcons.WASHINGTON - Twice it happened. John Wall poked the ball away from Chris Paul, and the ball deflected off Pauls leg and out of bounds.Such defensive moments from Wall were just as important as his spin-move, up-and-under layup or any of his many assists. And they helped him beat Paul head-to-head for first time in his career.Wall controlled the game with 10 points and 11 assists, while Paul struggled with a season-high six turnovers Friday night as the Washington Wizards snapped the Los Angeles Clippers nine-game winning streak with a 104-96 victory.He isnt going to tell you that, but I know this kid well enough to tell you that he was waiting for this game, he wanted to win this game, Wizards centre Marcin Gortat said. And this is the huge improvement from John from the Day 1: It wasnt about who was going to score more points — (it was) whos going to lead the team to win the game.Wall, who had been 0-6 against Paul in games when both played, had an impact far greater than his stat line. He turned the game with a blistering sequence late in the first half that included an acrobatic assist to Bradley Beal for a 3-pointer, a 3-pointer of his own, a from-behind block of Glen Davis shot in the paint, and one of the poke-the-ball takeaways off Paul.The Wizards closed the half with a 12-2 run to lead 57-42 and didnt allow the Clippers any closer than eight points in a second half. Fans serenaded Wall with M-V-P! in the final minute, and coach Randy Wittman lauded a commitment to defence from Wall that used to come every so often.I just want to be a great player, so youve got to be committed for 48 minutes and when things arent going offensively youve got to keep playing the rright way, Wall said regarding his improved play on defence.ddddddddddddJohn knows that Chris has been over the last few years the more-heralded point guard, but he was up for the challenge, Wizards forward Paul Pierce said. It wasnt comfortable for Paul, even though he had a lot of points, a couple of assists, he wasnt comfortable out there.Beal scored a season-high 29 points, and Gortat had 18 for the Wizards, who have won seven of eight. Wall has at least 11 assists in seven straight games.I thought it he was into CP most of the game, bodied him, blocked shots, Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. Hes a freak athletically, and in the past I thought he only used to be on the offensive end.___PAULS TAKEPauls line was also deceptive if the turnovers are ignored: 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists.I pride myself on (not turning the ball over), making right decisions, passing the ball, ball-handling, Paul said. I dont let no one steal it from me. Tonight I was just all over the place.YOU LOOK FAMILIAR: The game was rife with fascinating connections. Wittman and Rivers were teammates in Atlanta for five seasons in the 1980s. Rivers coached Pierce for nine seasons in Boston. Pierce was recruited to Washington last summer by assistant coach Sam Cassell, who then left to join Rivers staff.TIP-INSClippers: F Spencer Hawes left with a bruised left knee late in the first quarter and did not return. X-rays were negative.Wizards: Their 11-2 record at the Verizon Center represents the best 13-game home start in franchise history.UP NEXTClippers: At Milwaukee on Saturday.Wizards: Home to Utah on Sunday.___Follow Joseph White on Twitter: http://twitter.com/JGWhiteAP ' ' '