round pick by the Astros in 2008 and fills a need the Rocki

HOUSTON -- Dexter Fowler is looking forward to a new beginning with the rebuilding Houston Astros while also dealing with what he calls a bittersweet ending to his time with the Colorado Rockies. Astros acquired the outfielder and a player to be named from the Rockies on Tuesday for outfielder Brandon Barnes and right-hander Jordan Lyles. Drafted by Colorado in 2004, Fowler has spent his entire career with the Rockies. He joins a team that has posted three straight 100-plus loss seasons, including a franchise-record 111 losses in 2013 in its first year in the American League. "There are definitely challenges, but at the same time you just got to look at the positives," Fowler said. "And the positive is that there are young guys here and theyre eager to win and theyre eager to put their (effort) into the game ... anything I can do to help, Im just going to go out and play hard every day and Im sure well definitely see the tides turn." The speedy 27-year-old Fowler hit .263 with 18 doubles, 42 RBIs and 19 stolen bases in 119 games last season. Fowler, a switch-hitter who primarily plays centre field, hit .300 in 2012. "One of our goals this off-season was to bring in an outfielder who can spark our offence," Houston general manager Jeff Luhnow said. "Dexter is an exciting player who can help with the bat, with his legs, and with his glove." Fowler missed a big chunk of the last month of the season with an injured left knee, but said Tuesday that the problem was behind him. "Im awesome," he said. "Im healthy and ready to go." Fowler hasnt had any extended conversations with Luhnow, but expects to play centre field for the Astros next season and called the position "home." He isnt worried about navigating Tals Hill in centre field at Minute Maid Park. "I played in the biggest yard in major league baseball, so I dont think anything is as challenging as Coors is," he said. The Astros had the lowest payroll in the majors last season at less than $30 million. Houston owner Jim Crane said this off-season that he planned to start investing money into the payroll this season, and Tuesdays move is a sign that he was serious about that statement. Fowler is set to make $7.35 next season before he is eligible for arbitration in 2015. Fowler said he doesnt know any of the Astros players. He said he does know manager Bo Porter and is looking forward to playing for him. Fowler is spending this off-season in Salt Lake City and said hell train there until spring training because he and his wife are expecting their first child in January. "She cant travel," he said, "so neither can I." The 23-year-old Lyles was 7-9 with one save and a 5.59 ERA in 27 games -- 25 starts -- in 2013. He was a supplemental first-round pick by the Astros in 2008 and fills a need the Rockies have for a starting pitcher. Lyles made his debut at 20 and already has 65 career starts. He feels fortunate to have so much experience at such a young age. "Im going to continue to learn," he said. "Ill never stop trying to learn." But he does know that pitching at Coors Field wont be easy. "The park is obviously different," he said. "A lot of people dont like going there, but Im up for the challenge and I think its going to be fun." Barnes, also 27, hit .240 with eight home runs and 41 RBIs as a rookie last season. He also became known for his knack for hustling to make great catches in centre field. "Im excited for a new chapter and a new experience," Barnes said. "Ive always prided myself on how hard I work and I plan on working really hard there and being a part of the Rockies future and hopefully winning some championships." Calvin Johnson Womens Jersey . After deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the league would consider pulling out of Sochi if something "significant" happens before players arrive, those set to participate are trying not to worry about that scenario. Jahlani Tavai Youth Jersey . - Benched Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman said he has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and voluntarily entered the NFL substance abuse program more than a year ago after mistakenly taking a medication to treat the condition. http://www.shopdetroitlionsnfl.com/lions...r-black-jersey/. Moments after his Brooklyn Nets teammates ran out onto the court to congratulate him following their 100-98 overtime win over the Phoenix Suns on Friday night, Johnson could only shake his head at scoring only 13 points on 6-of-19 shooting. Jarrad Davis Womens Jersey . Bring on Freddy Garcia. The well-travelled 36-year-old right-hander earned his second NL victory since 2007, and his first since he joined the Atlanta Braves last month, pitching six innings to help beat Miami 6-1 Thursday. Calvin Johnson Youth Jersey . Raymond, 31, started 15 regular-season games for the Stamps in 2013, racking up 51 tackles. He also returned two kickoffs for 79 yards including a 61-yarder.Concussions drove Ben Utecht out of pro football five years ago.He fears that the effects from the hits he took as a tight end for four NFL seasons, and for four years before that at the University of Minnesota, will have a significant impact on his future health.Now a singer-songwriter and in-demand speaker, Utecht wanted to ensure that his family will always remember him as a bright, clever and insightful person. What better way than through a song?It was the hardest song I have ever had to co-write, the 33-year-old Utecht says. It came down to doing something I had not done yet in my life after my football career ended: writing that love letter to my wife and daughters. It was in concern that if the day comes when my mind begins to fail — when your faces and names begin to disappear — no matter what physically takes my memory, nothing will take away what you mean to me.Utecht, who earned a Super Bowl ring after the 2006 season with the Colts, left the NFL in 2009 after an injury settlement with the Bengals. The players union won a grievance so that he could get his entire salary.Since then, hes worked on his music and has been one of the leading advocates on behalf of current and former players recognition, treatment and medical coverage of concussions and head trauma. Hes currently a spokesman for the American Academy of Neurology and testified before Congress in August about concussion issues.Utecht also is one of the former players involved in the NFLs settlement of lawsuits over head trauma and concussions — a settlement still, well, unsettled as a judge determines its validity. The judge who preliminarily approved the settlement this summer heard objections last month and will make a decision in 2015.Hes passionate about his work for several national neurological organizations. Just as passionate as he is about his music, which includes an upcoming album entitled Man Up. Utecht tackles the topic in his songs, joking he is not a candy writer, buut a meat-and-potatoes writer with Midwest values.ddddddddddddMusic is a universal language, he says. I can go to places and talk about neurology and people scratch their heads, and you see it has not clicked. But I can tell a story through melody and instrumentation and lyrics.One commonality we have is we are all human and emotional, and we all experience the spectrum of love and hate. Music doesnt know any of those boundaries.Utecht inherited his musical talents from his father, who was a music major and planned to be a choir teacher before he became a pastor. Indeed, Utecht grew up with training in more music-related activities than in sports.Clearly, though, he was skilled on the gridiron, enough to earn a full ride to Minnesota. While there, he sang the national anthem at a variety of sporting events, including local pro teams — except the Vikings, which would have been a violation of NCAA rules.He joined the Colts in 2005 and had 37 receptions as a backup tight end in 2006 when Indy won it all.But he was first known as the Singing Colt, because Utecht performed the anthem before the teams preseason game against Buffalo even before he played a down.That led to some musical connections in Indianapolis, and Utecht toured with gospel star Sandi Patty, who mentored him and recommended he pursue music as a profession.When football disappeared as an option — Utecht was knocked out for 90 seconds after a hit in training camp, causing a head injury that took eight months to recover from — he dived into his music full time.Eclectic in his musical tastes, Utechts Man Up is in the pop/countr