Hot Stove Update 11/17
5:20 p.m. Eastern
-Milwaukee is not interested in Eric Gagne as a starter, Adam McCalvy says.
-The latest Cincinnati Reds inbox asking questions about the team’s offseason.
5:10 p.m. Eastern
-The Dodgers, Mets, Mariners, Cardinals, Astros, Orioles and Rangers have shown interest in John Smoltz, says Fox Sports. I think it would be a mistake for any AL team to sign him after seeing how he did with the Red Sox.
4:55 p.m. Eastern
-With Mike Gonzalez being represented by Scott Boras, it seems like the Braves will resign Rafael Soriano and not Gonzalez, says Mark Bowman.
-Sandy Alomar Jr. has left the Mets to become the first base coach with the Indians, says Bart Hubbuch. “It likely means the first-base job will go to Razor Shines, with Bob Melvin, Dave Jauss or Eric Wedge becoming bench coach.”
4:30 p.m. Eastern
-Fox Sports reports that Marco Scutaro is open to staying with Toronto. The Tigers, Cubs, Dodgers, Mariners, Angels, Phillies, Orioles, Twins, Mets, Cardinals and Giants could also have interest.
-Steve Gilbert says that the Diamondbacks have only $10 million to spend this offseason increasing the payroll above this year’s $73 millon total.
-Houston would like to hold on to Miguel Tejada, says Brian McTaggert. Resigning Jose Valverde and/or LaTroy Hawkins, and exploring outfield and 3B options. Moving Tejada to third is also a possibility.
-A Philadelphia Daily News article discusses third base, Scott Eyre and their bench.
-The Yankees declined the $1.25 million option on pitcher Sergio Mitre.
1:25 p.m. Eastern
-More on Matt Holliday, Joel Piniero, Jason Marquis and Braden Looper from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
1:10 p.m. Eastern
-Angels GM Tony Reagins denied a report that they were seriously interested in Matt Holliday, says the LA Times. The top priorities for the Angels are resigning John Lackey and Chone Figgins. Seattle, Milwaukee, Boston and both New York teams are interested in Lackey. There have also been discussions with Vladdy Guerrero and Darren Oliver and Reagins did not address trade rumors about Paul Konerko or Curtis Granderson.
-The Mets are interested in free agent Joel Piniero, says the New York Daily News. It’s my belief that Piniero is a product of the great coaching he received by Dave Duncan in St. Louis and won’t succeed if he leaves the Cardinals.
-The Yankees are in no rush to make free agent moves but they have been contacted by Lackey’s representatives, says the New York Post. The article says the Yankees may want to part with Joba Chamberlain to get Curtis Granderson and Lackey may get Barry Zito money. Ben Sheets could also be an option. The Cardinals will make a huge push for Holliday but will be taken to the open market, says the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
-34-year-old lefty Hisanori Takahashi has filed for free agency and will come to America to play in the major leagues, says JapanBall.
-The Kansas City Royals will get the 2012 All-Star Game.
Bills Fire Dick Jauron
Despite having two years left on his contract, the Buffalo Bills fired head coach Dick Jauron after a 3-6 start and is replaced by Defensive Coordinator Perry Fewell.
Jauron was reportedly blindsided the news even though the offense was scoring just under 16 points per game.
“I am announcing today that I am relieving Dick Jauron from his duties as our head coach, effective immediately,” Bills owner Ralph Wilson said. “I have tremendous respect for Dick and thank him for all of his efforts during these past four years. While this was a very difficult decision, I felt that it is one that needed to be made at this time for the best interest of our team. We will now focus on moving forward and preparing for our game this week in Jacksonville.”
Where the Bills go from here is another question. They need to find out whether Trent Edwards and Marshawn Lynch are the right fits for the team and what coach to hire going forward and what coach would want to come to a franchise like this and their long term viability in the city.
Week 10 Katy Perry Report
Hot
QB- Tom Brady, NE (375, 3 TD). Peyton Manning, IND (327, 4 TD). Donovan McNabb, PHI (450 yards).
RB- Chris Johnson, TEN (132, 2 TD). Steven Jackson (131, TD). Beanie Wells, ARZ (85, 2 TD)
WR- Randy Moss, NE (179, 2 TD). Brandon Marshall, DEN (134, 2 TD). Reggie Wayne, IND (126, 2 TD)
TE- Spencer Havner, GB (TD). John Carlson, SEA (31, TD). Kellen Winslow, TB (102).
DT- DeMario Pressley, NO (5 tackles, FF). Darnell Dockett, ARZ (6 tackles, .5 sack).
DE- Robert Mathis, IND (8 tackles, 2 sacks). Ray Edwards, MIN (5 tackles, 2 sacks).
LB- Quincy Black, TB (9 tackles, INT). Nick Barnett, GB (8 tackles, 2 sacks).
CB- Charles Woodson, GB (9 tackles, sack, INT). Antrel Rolle, ARZ (9 tackles, INT).
S- Brian Dawkins, DEN (14 tackles). Dawan Landry, BAL (4 tackles, INT, TD).
Team Defenses- Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans, Green Bay Packers.
K- Dan Carpenter, MIA. Connor Barth, TB. Jeff Reed, PIT.
Hot Teams- New Orleans Secondary Suffering Saints, Cincinnati Sweeping Bengals, Indianapolis Belichik Blunder Colts, Tennessee VY Titans, San Diego Charging Chargers.
Cold
QB- Bruce Gradkowski, OAK. Chris Simms, DEN. Ryan Fitzpatrick, BUF.
RB- Cedric Benson, CIN. Jamal Lewis, CLE. Marion Barber, DAL.
WR- Marques Colston, NO. Santana Moss, WSH. Vincent Jackson, SDG
TE- Zach Miller, OAK. Bo Scaife, TEN. Vernon Davis, SF.
DEF- Buffalo Bills, Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons.
K- Nick Folk, DAL. Joe Nedney, SF. Steve Hauschka, BAL.
Cold Teams- Cleveland Bad News Browns, Denver Bumbling Broncos, Oakland Rudderless Raiders, Philadelphia Nosediving Eagles, Chicago Where’s The Lovie Bears.
College Hoops Week In Preview
Monday’s Five Biggest Stories
-We knew UCLA was going to have a down year this season, but this far down? After going to overtime against Cal State Fullerton, each team only scored three points in the first OT and then the Titans outscored the Bruins 8-5 in the second OT to defeat the Bruins 68-65 after two extra sessions. Aaron Thompson scored 22 to lead all scorers for CSF while Michael Roll and Malcom Lee each had 17 to lead UCLA.
-A young Kentucky teams are going to have some bumps in the road, and they had one of those last night against Miami of Ohio. But John Wall scored 19 to lead the Wildcats in his collegiate debut including the game winner as time expired as UK defeated Miami 72-70 to go to 2-0. Nick Winbush scored 26 to lead all scorers for the Redhawks.
-Villanova reached the final four last year and did not miss a beat against a very good Penn team last night. Frosh G Maalik Wayns led the Wildcats with 16 and 14 each from Scottie Reynolds, Corey Stokes and bigtime transfer Taylor King, four of six Villanova players in double figures in a 103-65 win over the Quakers.
-Heralded freshman Lance Stephenson had a forgettable debut, scoring just seven points and getting four rebounds in 22 minutes, but his Bearcats teammates picked him up. Deonta Vaughn had 15 and fellow frosh Cashmere Wright had 12 as Cincinnati held off Prairie View A&M 69-62.
-Stephen F. Austin made the tournament last season, but Minnesota made quick work with them, getting 15 each from Gophers star Lawrence Westbrook and Devoe Joseph as Minnesota rocked SFA 82-42. The Gophers had 10 players play at least 15 minutes for a deep Tubby Smith team.
Week In Preview
Tuesday- ESPN’s 24 hour coverage continues with 23rd ranked Clemson playing Liberty at 10 a.m. eastern, Northeastern at an excellent Siena team at noon, UALR at DeAndre Jordan and Tulsa at 2 and Temple at Georgetown at 4. Pitt hosts Binghamton at 5:30 on ESPN2, followed by Arkansas and Louisville. Duke hosts Charlotte at 6 on ESPN followed by a great doubleheader featuring Gonzaga at Michigan State and Memphis and Kansas from St. Louis. Arizona State will be on ESPN2 at 11:30. Tennessee, Oklahoma, UConn and more will be on ESPN360.
Wednesday- Texas hosts Western Carolina as the only top 25 team playing. Butler plays Northwestern, Utah St is at Utah and Lance Stephenson and Cincinnati plays Toledo at 7:30 on ESPN360 as will Nebraska and Colorado.
Thursday- The Coaches Vs Cancer Classic has a doubleheader on ESPN2 from Madison Square Garden with Syracuse playing California at 7 and Ohio State against UNC after. Kansas hosts Central Arkansas on ESPN360 at 8 eastern and Kentucky will also be on 360. Dayton and Georgia Tech play in a battle of ranked teams as part of the Puerto-Rico tip-off at 11:30 followed by George Mason and Villanova at 2 on ESPNU. Penn State plays UNC-Wilmington in Charleston at 4:30 on the U, with Indiana and Ole Miss continuing from PR on ESPN2 at 5:30. A-10 sleeper LaSalle plays South Carolina in Charleston at 9:30 on ESPNU.
Friday- Tennessee, Purdie, DePaul, Northern Iowa, St Joe’s and Boston College are among the teams playing at the Paradise Jam in the Virgin Islands. Tournaments also begin in Daytona Beach and Albequerque. Vanderbilt plays at Saint Mary’s in the game of the day at 11:30.
Saturday- Rider already knocked off Mississippi State, they’ll try to win at Kentucky. Oklahoma will be at VCU and Duke, Illinois, Georgetown and Butler will also be in action. TCU-Nebraska, Siena-Temple and SIU will play at Nevada.
Sunday- Louisville hosts Morgan State at 1 on ESPN360 and Michigan State hosts Valparaiso. Missouri will also be on ESPN360 and NC State plays Auburn in Daytona Beach.
Monday- The Maui Invitational begins with Colorado and Gonzaga at 3 on ESPN2 followed by Cincinnati and Vanderbilt. Maryland plays Chaminade at 9:30 on ESPNU followed by Arizona and Wisconsin at midnight on ESPN2. The CBE Classic continues with Texas playing at Iowa and Pitt hosting Wichita State.
