Grant Balfour is a fiery Aussie, and has every right to be mad at the Baltimore Orioles. Tests have shown his arm is no different from it was a few years ago. Baltimore clearly decided at the last-minute to weasel out of the deal. The 35 Year Old has vowed revenge on Dan Duquette. I hope he signs on with the Rays or Yankees – because then they play the O’s 19 times a year. You think Balfour is fired up to enter games – wait till he is called upon in games versus Baltimore from this point forward.  On a side note, with the Orioles penny-pinching their way through this winter, do not pick them to win anything in 2014.  Not very smart when you a have a tepid fanbase to begin with.  If the team has a shaky start, attendance and apathy will start.

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024

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It was a controversial week for the Baltimore Orioles, who had signed Grant Balfour to a 2 YR/$15.0 MIL contract – before backing out at the last second.

The O’s are tied with the Pirates and GIants for the 16th best odd to win the World Series.  While I believe there is great value with the other two teams stated there, Baltimore has had a brutal off-year.

My hunch is that they are going to sign Fernando Rodney instead.  Bad move fella’s.  You missed the ball on this one, not only that, i think you have pissed off your faithful fans at Camden Yards.

If this club doesn’t pull off any significant player to come into the fold, the walkup crowds will be lessened.

Balfour lights up Martinez verbally – Swearing involved here, parental guidance is advised

By the time this offseason ends, the Rangers may have acquired the two best players for it. Placing Choo at the top of the lineup – as the OBP machine that he ends, followed by Adrian Beltre hitting 3rd – and Prince Fielder 4th, all of a sudden the Texas Rangers are looking like their vintage “offensive” selves. Based on this, go and pick up their World Series ODD win at +1100 (3rd favorite in the AL).

Among the winners for the week, were the Texas Rangers inking Shin-Soo Choo for 7 YRs/$130 MIL early this morning.

This pole vaults their club into the championship contention.  The odd listed down here will not be available for that long, so pounce on it.

I firmly believe with this signing, that Texas is the new favorite in the American League.

Until Detroit upgrades themselves with a piece or two, I think the Rangers are the better franchise right now.

Just for your information, the Rockies also are listed at +5500 – and always have a puncher’s chance to go on a 2007 like run.

As you will read in the picture caption below, if you are wishing to bet on the Red Sox to win the World Series, wait for the odd to change – after the Texas adjustment.

Boston should jump up higher than +1000

Odds To Win The 2014 World Series

1.  LA Dodgers +700

2.  Washington Nationals +800

3.  Detroit Tigers +900

T4. St. Louis Cardinals +1000

T4. Boston Red Sox +1000

6.  Texas Rangers +1100

T7. Oakland Athletics +1400

T7. Atlanta Braves +1400

T9. New York Yankees +1500

T9. LA Angels +1500

T9. Cincinnati Reds +1500

T12. Tampa Bay Rays +1800

T12. Toronto Blue Jays +1800

14. Kansas City Royals +2200

15. Cleveland Indians +2300

T16. San Francisco Giants +2500

T16. Pittsburgh Pirates +2500

T16. Baltimore Orioles +2500

T19.   Arizona Diamondbacks +3300

T19. Seattle Mariners +3300

21.   Philadelphia Phillies +3500

22. Milwaukee Brewers +4000

23.   Chicago White Sox +4500

T24.  Chicago Cubs +5500

T24. Colorado Rockies +5500

26.   San Diego Padres +6600

27.   Minnesota Twins +8000

28.   New York Mets +8000

29.   Miami Marlins +10000

30.   Houston Astros +25000

This is Lead Writer Sully’s ticket from the Bellagio in Vegas. If you are in the area – and can still receive the 200/1 odds for the Marlins to win the World Series – than do it. On the bet365.com website, they are only valued at half of that. While it is unlikely to ever happen, it might be worth a few pesos..At least they have a #1 pitcher.

Odds courtesy of www.bet365.com

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Chuck Booth – Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner and author of the Fastest 30 Ballgames:   To learn more about my  “The Fastest 30 Ballgames Book” and how to purchase it, click here .

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You can reach me on Twitter here Follow @mlbreports