GM Meetings Update
Afternoon Update
-Latest from Jon Heyman: The Rangers, Rays and Giants are possible trade candidates for Milton Bradley, whose Cubs teammates allegedly won’t even speak to him. “[Bradley] needs to go to some place small, like Kansas City or San Diego,” one GM told Heyman.Chicago is looking at players like Pat Burrell, Aaron Rowand, Jose Guillen of KC, Gary Matthews Jr of the Angels and Luis Castillo of the Mets were listed as possible options. Toronto has no interest in Bradley, but sources told Heyman that Roy Halladay is more likely to get dealt than San Diego’s Adrian Gonzalez. The Mets could join the Red Sox in their pursuit of both players, the Dodgers and Mariners could get in on Gonzalez while the Phillies, Dodgers, Rangers, Brewers and Angels could be in on Halladay. The Yankees like John Lackey but the Mets do not, though they do like Randy Wolf and Joel Piniero. The Angels want to keep Chone Figgins, the Mets like Bengie Molina but not Yorvit Torrealba and Jason Varitek will probably go back to Boston. Heyman also mentioned on his Twitter page about Jorge Posada getting four years and so will Johnny Damon and Derek Jeter. Damon should not get even close to that many years. It also mentions that nobody expects Bradley to be back with the Cubs, Jason Bay is likely to stay while Holliday and Lackey will likely leave.
-MLB announced that Mark Teixeira, Placido Polanco, Derek Jeter, Evan Longoria, Joe Mauer, Ichiro Suzuki, Torii Hunter, Adam Jones and Mark Buehrle are the AL Gold Glove winners.
-Derrick Goold thinks that the Cardinals will sign Xavier Nady.
-Joel Sherman says that the Mets could have interest in Varitek, the Yankees would like to keep Sergio Mitre and the Giants would like to sink more money into their offense.
-In Ken Rosenthal’s notes, he says the White Sox may not be confident about getting Chone Figgins.
Lunchtime Update
-Bobby Valentine and Jim Riggleman are the finalists for the Nationals managerial position, says Ken Rosenthal. More notes from Rosenthal include Billy Wagner being in demand, a possible money crunch in Detroit and a possible trade of Alberto Callaspo with Chris Getz looking like the guy in Kansas City. Update: Rosenthal also points out that the Yankees’ Japanese sponsorships could keep Hideki Matsui in New York, Milwaukee probably won’t be in on John Lackey and that JJ Putz would accept a setup role. He also says the Mariners would be a good fit for Rich Harden.
-The Cardinals will do what it can to resign Matt Holliday, says the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Joe Strauss says that Scott Boras (Holliday’s agent) has arrived in Chicago at the meetings.
-What Carl Crawford’s Type B status means for his future with Tampa Bay courtesy of Rays Index.
-The NL Gold Gloves come out today and Jeff Fletcher says Orlando Hudson is the winner at 2B.
-Rockies GM Dan O’Dowd was named the Executive of the Year by Sporting News, according to the Denver Post. O’Dowd disputed a Fox Sports report that Jorge De La Rosa is demanding a three year deal worth $36 million.
-The Yankees would like to keep both Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon and are “intrigued” by John Lackey, says Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News.
-Texas won’t go after the big names in free agency but will be active in the trade market, says the Dallas Morning News.
-There are concerns about Aroldis Champan’s makeup, per Boston radio giant WEEI. Also in the piece are quotes from Tim Wakefield including “I feel great” Wakefield said. “I’m getting more strength in my calf and my hamstring. As a matter of fact, the doctor came in soon after surgery and I was doing laps around the nurses station with my wife with my IV without limping. It was that instantaneously.”
-An insider told ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick that the Milton Bradley-Lyle Overbay-Luis Castillo three-way deal is a “longshot at best.” If you read my evening rumors last night, you would have already known that…
College Hoops Opening Night Recap & Week In Preview
My personal favorite sport returned on Monday night with four games as part of the Coaches Vs Cancer Classic on campus sites. It was an extremely eventful night with great performances, milestones and new beginnings.
North Carolina played their first game as defending national champions with a bunch of new players against FIU, who was debuting Knicks ruiner Isiah Thomas as coach. The Panthers kept it close in the 2nd half, but the Heels dominated the first 20 minutes in an 88-72 win. The team’s veteran F Deon Thompson had a game high 20 and Ed Davis came through with 13 points and 11 boards. He may be the most talented big man in the country. UNC may not lose a beat without Tyler Hansbrough.
After losing to Division II LeMoyne last week, Jim Boeheim had his Syracuse Orange ready for opening night and blew out Albany 75-43 for Boeheim’s 800th career win and a celebration of one of the greatest coaches in college hoops history. Five Syracuse players scored double figures, led by Arine Onuaku’s 14 and Kris Joseph and Scoop Jardine had 12 each off the bench. But it was transfew Wesley Johnson who stole the show, scoring 12 to go with eight rebounds, six steals and four steals. Sharpshooter Andy Rautins was held without a point in the game.
Granted they were playing Alcorn State, but Ohio State looked like an elite team in their 100-60 win. Jon Diebler led the Buckeyes with 22 points and David Lighty came back from last year’s injury with an eight and eight game, but it was top five player in the nation Evan Turner registering what could hold all year long as the performance of the year with a triple-double, scoring 14 points to go with 17 rebounds and 10 assists.
“Evan Turner fills a stat sheet like a Brazilian model.” said Peter Casey, St. John’s social network guru and basketball analyst.
“Evan Turner is Mr. Versatility for OSU.” ESPN’s Fran Fraschilla told SprungOnSports. “Almost had Triple-double by half and got it in 2nd half. Lighty’s return is huge! Triple-double by Turner is the first since the great Dennis Hopson in 1986 under Gary Williams. Rick Barnes was an assistant coach that year.”
But are the Buckeyes better than a Michigan State team that brings everyone back after a national title game appearance? It’s going to be a big battle between the Bucks, Spartans and Purdue this year. And Michigan and Minnesota will also be factors in the deepest conference in the country this year.
“They’re good, but I wouldn’t rank them higher than Mich. St.” Casey said.
“Watched Bucks tonight.” Fraschilla said. ”Hard to tell how good vs. Alcorn. Loved versatility of 4 perimeters. They will be hard to defend!”
California had a disappointing tournament loss to Maryland last year, and things were a little too close for comfort on Monday for the 12th ranked Golden Bears. Jerome Randle led Cal with 18 points, 10-11 from the free throw line, as Cal barely held on for a 75-70 home win over Murray State. The Racers were led by Ivan Aska and BJ Jenkins and could very easily compete for the Ohio Valley title and make the NCAA’s.
Week In Preview
Wednesday- The Coaches Vs Cancer Classic continues with a twinbill on ESPNU with Syracuse hosting Robert Morris at 7 followed by North Carolina hosting UNC Central at 9. California should have better success against Detroit.
Thursday- Ohio State will host the CAA’s James Madison and NC State will open their schedule against another CAA team in Georgia State.
Friday- A full slate of games finally commences as Kentucky headlines the action as they host Morehead State at 6 eastern on ESPNU. Top ranked Kansas hosts Hofstra, Michigan State hosts Florida Gulf Coast, CS Northridge is at Purdue and UConn hosts William & Mary all on ESPN360. Villanova, Duke, Tennessee, Washington, Minnesota, Mississippi State, Georgetown and Clemson are the other top 25 teams in action.
Saturday- A huge mid-major game highlights Saturday as Butler hosts Davidson, Washington hosts Belmont, the two-time conference champion and A-10 favorite Dayton hosts Creighton. Michigan, Oklahoma and Georgia Tech also open their seasons.
Sunday- ESPNU has Iowa hosting UTSA at 6pm with Kansas State and Florida hosting games on ESPN360. Washington hosts Portland State and UNC hosts Valparaiso with Texas and West Virginia opening their season.
Monday- ESPNU has a tripleheader as part of the NIT Season Tip-Off beginning with Coastal Carolina at Duke at 7, followed by Colgate at UConn at 9 and Texas Tech at Arizona State at 11. Virginia will be at USF on ESPN360 as will Oral Roberts hosting NW OK St and Coppin State at Colorado. ESPN has a late night tripleheader starting at midnight with UCLA hosting Cal State Fullerton, then San Diego State plays at Saint Mary’s at 2 and Hawaii hosts Northern Colorado at 4.
Week 9 Katy Perry Report
Hot
QB- Kurt Warner, ARZ (5 TD). Jay Cutler, CHI (3 TD). Josh Freeman, TB (3 TD).
RB- Michael Turner, ATL (166, 2 TD). Chris Johnson, TEN (135, 2 TD). DeAngelo Williams, CAR (149, 2 TD)
WR- Randy Moss, NE (147, TD). Larry Fitzgerald, ARZ (123, 2 TD). Mike Sims-Walker, JAX (147, TD).
TE- Greg Olsen, CHI (71, 3 TD). Brandon Pettigrew, DET (70, TD). Dallas Clark, IND (14/119).
DT- Jonathan Babineaux, ATL (10 tackles, 2.5 sacks). Jay Ratliff, DAL (5 tackles, 2 sacks).
DE- Anthony Hargrove, NO (3 tackles, 1 fumble return TD). Will Smith, NO (4 tackles, 2 sacks).
LB- Clint Session, IND (14 tackles, INT). David Hawthorne, SEA (9 tackles, 2 INT).
CB- Cortland Finnegan, TEN (7 tackles, 1 INT, 1 TD). Josh Wilson, SEA (4 tackles, 1 INT, 1 TD)
S- Bernard Pollard, HOU (9 tackles, 2 INT). Roman Harper, NO (12 tackles). Tanard Jackson, TB (6 tackles, INT, TD)
DEF- Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers.
K- Stephen Gostkowski, NE. Olindo Mare, SEA. David Akers, PHI.
Hot Teams- New Orleans We Play Defense This Year Saints, Indianapolis Kris Brown Colts, Pittsburgh Mile Higher Steelers, Dallas Miles Austin Coleman Cowboys, San Diego Rivers Revenge Chargers, New England Wildcat Warrior Patriots.
Cold
QB- Kyle Orton, DEN. Joe Flacco, BAL. Matthew Stafford, DET.
RB- LaDanian Tomlinson, SD. Reggie Bush, NO. Ahmad Bradshaw, NYG.
WR- Roddy White, ATL. Calvin Johnson, DET. DeSean Jackson, PHI.
TE- Heath Miller, PIT. Daniel Graham, DEN. Todd Heap, BAL.
DEF- Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers, Washington Redskins.
K- Steven Hauschka, BAL, Kris Brown, HOU, Robbie Gould, CHI.
Cold Teams- Detroit Stafford Lions, New York 3rd & Goal Giants, Washington LJ Redskins, San Francisco Tailspinning 49ers, Cleveland Kosar Browns.
