NFL Divisional Round Picks

NFC

#6 Green Bay Packers @ #1 Atlanta Falcons

Packers- 34
Falcons- 24

#4 Seattle Seahawks @ #2 Chicago Bears

Bears- 31
Seahawks- 13

AFC

#5 Baltimore Ravens @ #2 Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers- 20
Ravens- 14

#6 New York Jets @ #1 New England Patriots

Patriots- 37
Jets-24

White Sox sign Will Ohman

Today, the White Sox signed left-handed specialist Will Ohman to a 2 yr deal worth $4 million.

The White Sox already have two left handed relievers in Chris Sale, and Matt Thornton, but manager Ozzie Guillen plans to use them as closer and setup man respectively, so there was a need for another lefty for middle relief.

With Baltimore and Florida in 2010, Ohman, 33, posted solid numbers. In 68 games, he compiled a record of 0-2 with a 3.21 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. He struck out 43 batters over 42 innings while walking 23.

Photo by: inform.com

NFL Wild Card Picks

NFC

#5 New Orleans Saints @ #4 Seattle Seahawks
Seattle is the first team in NFL history to make the playoffs with a losing record (7-9). However, the defending champion Saints know not to underestimate anyone and Drew Brees will be too much for the Seahawks defense that allowed 250 passing yards a game during the regular season (27th in the NFL).

Saints- 31
Seahawks- 17

#6 Green Bay Packers @ #3 Philadelphia Eagles
Michael Vick and company had a great run this year, but they ran into the toughest #6 seed possible. Green Bay made a statement by beating Chicago in Week 17. The Bears played all of their players and the Packers stepped up with their backs against the wall and beat them. Green Bay's defense showed how great they can be, allowing Chicago's starters to 3 points. With Aaron Rodgers behind center, and a more than capable defense, Green Bay should be a team to look out for deep into the playoffs.

Packers- 34
Eagles- 27

AFC

#6 New York Jets @ #3 Indianapolis Colts
The Jets and Rex Ryan especially are confident that his team will make it to the Superbowl. They need to wake up. There is only one Darrelle Revis and too many capable Colts receivers. Expect Peyton Manning to look for TE Jacob Tamme early and often, and the Jets offense does not have enough firepower to keep up.

Colts- 24
Jets- 17

#5 Baltimore Ravens @ #4 Kansas City Chiefs

Ray Rice has caught fire at just the right time for the Ravens and Joe Flacco has a 15-4 touchdown to interception ratio since Baltimore's week 8 bye. The Ravens defense is # 5 in the NFL in rushing defense allowing only 94 yards a game, and although Kansas City's rushing offense is #1, look for the experienced defense to step up over the young Chiefs offense.

Ravens- 27
Chiefs- 10

Cubs acquire Matt Garza

The Chicago Cubs have watched fellow NL Central teams make splashy moves thus far in the off-season.

Today they decided it was their turn when they acquired Matt Garza from the Tampa Bay Rays for Chris Archer, Brandon Guyer, Robinson Chirinos, Hak-Ju Lee and Sam Fuld.

Did the Cubs pay too much? They received Garza, Fernando Perez, a 27 year old outfielder who hit .223 with a .280 OBP in 426 at bats with Triple-A last year, and a pitching prospect.

Chris Archer was ranked #1 on Baseball America's Cubs top prospects, while Hak-Ju Lee was # 4, and Brandon Guyer was #10. Archer has future star written all over him. He split time between High A Daytona and AA Tennessee where he totaled a 15-3 record with a 2.34 ERA. He struck out 149 batters while walking 65.

The Cubs had a great farm system, and just let go three players with unlimited potential in a # 1 or 2 starter with Archer who may only be a few years away if that from making an impact, a potential lead-off hitter in Hak Ju-Lee a late blooming catcher in Robinson Chirinos, and a solid outfielder in Brandon Guyner.

If Jim Hendry is trying to compete with the moves of the Brewers, it did not work out the first time although the Cubs hardly gave up any solid prospects. In 2008, the Brewers acquired C.C. Sabathia from Cleveland, and just days later the Cubs acquired Rich Harden from Oakland. This scenario will undoubtedly go better than the one in 2008, but something to think about after the Brewers acquired Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum less than a month ago.

Matt Garza can easily turn in an All-Star caliber year in 2011, but I believe the price the Cubs paid was too high for a pitcher like Garza.

Does this trade make the Cubs legitimate contenders in the NL Central with the Reds, Cardinals, and Brewers? For Jim Hendry's sake, you'd have to hope so.

Photo by: TampaBay.com