Your New York Sports Blog

UPDATE 2/29: The Jets received a fourth-round pick in the upcoming 2008 draft. Now, if Vilma reaches certain playing time levels AND he winds up signing an extension with the Saints then the Jets will get either a second or a third rounder in 2009 but they would have to sort of pay back the original value of the deal by giving the Saints a fourth-round pick.

UPDATE 2/29: The deal is now official. And is for a 3rd or 4th round pick.

UPDATE: According to a league source, the Jets will receive a conditional draft pick from the Saints likely for the 2009 draft.
Saint's Beat:

The Saints are close to finalizing a deal that will bring middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma to the team in a trade with the New York Jets, league sources said. The deal could be announced as early as later Thursday night or sometime on Friday. Vilma, 6 foot 1, 230 pounds, is a four-year NFL veteran. He played in nine games for New York, his season shortened by knee surgery. He had 43 total tackles in the nine games he played in 2007 for the Jets.

It appears that the deal will most likely be for a 3rd round pick. It is also being said that it might be worth a 2nd round pick in the draft. Vilma is a stud when healthy and if I was the Jets I would try to hit the Saints up for Robert Meachem. He would fit what they need a lot more than a 2nd or 3rd round pick. The only thing to hope is that Vilma goes to New Orleans returns to pro ball form and that David Harris bombs this season or gets injured seriously hurting is development and career.

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ESPN:

In a move that reunites him with former head coach Mike Martz, free agent wide receiver Isaac Bruce, released by St. Louis this week after 14 seasons with the Rams, has signed a two-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers.
The contract, ESPN.com confirmed, is worth $6 million.

Can't go wrong with signing Bruce. He is a proven vet that knows how to get it done on the football field. Bruce will help open up the field and give Alex Smith someone to throw to. After Vernon Davis came back he began to show why many people picked him to be the sleeper of the year and if the 49ers draft a WR, right now its projected the will draft big WR James Hardy out of Indiana, the 49ers could have some serious weapons down the field to go along with Frank Gore.

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NFL.com:

Oakland continued the spending frenzy it started before free agency.The Raiders reached an agreement with former New York Giants free-agent safety Gibril Wilson on a six-year contract worth $39 million, including $16 million guaranteed. The Giants had a rough Friday. They lost Wilson, and linebackers Kawika Mitchell and Reggie Torbor.

This really sucks for the Giants. There is no way they could have afforded Wilson, but whatever. He will most likely never win a championship in Oakland, but there is a small chance when Russell starts. Can you really blame him though? I think all of us would take the extra $2.5 million. Even if we say we won't we all know we would. Best of luck to him, but this really sucks for the Giants who's secondary now looks like Aaron Ross - Corey Webster - James Butler - Michael Johnson. That will not win you a Super Bowl anytime soon. This move also doesn't make sense for the Raiders, but neither did the GIANT contract to Tommy Kelly.

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UPDATE: 6:43
Alan Faneca's agent denies that his client as signed with the Jets.
"False report. It's a false report," agent Rick Smith said. ESPN's website reported the two sides agreed to a four-year, $32 million contract. It appears Faneca is still weighing offers. He could easily wind up with the Jets, but there's no deal yet - Rotoworld

ESPN:
"The New York Jets and guard Alan Faneca have tentatively agreed to a four-year, $32 million deal that includes roughly $23 million in guarantees, ESPN's Michael Smith reports. Faneca is expected to travel to New York this weekend, when the deal will be finalized. The Jets plan to play Faneca at left guard."

It had been reported earlier that this deal was done, but quickly taken down. This has been a big day for the Jets. Trading Vilma, acquiring Jenkins, and now signing Faneca. This gives the Jets an amazing O-Line. To go along with Faneca they have left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson and center Nick Mangold. Kellen Clemens should know have a significant amount of time to throw the ball and Thomas Jones could return to the same form as when he was with Chicago.

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Newsday:

What little hope the Giants had of re-signing free-agent safety Gibril Wilson has vanished amid speculation the Raiders are prepared to take a run at him. A person familiar with the Giants' situation said late Thursday night that he believed the Raiders would sign Wilson for between $6 million and $6.5 million per season.

Do not know how the Giants will let this happen. They do not have the luxury of having Wilson leave and go to another team. They do not have any other suitable safety that they could replace him with. This could be a HUGE blow to their secondary that only really consists of Aaron Ross and Corey Webster.

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ESPN:
PHILADELPHIA -- The Eagles have signed free-agent cornerback Asante Samuel.

The Eagles agreed to a six-year contract on Friday with Samuel, who spent the last five seasons with New England and had 16 interceptions the last two years. Samuel also tied the NFL career playoff record with three interceptions returned for TDs. Philadelphia had only 11 interceptions last year and failed to score a defensive touchdown. Its defense had an NFL-worst 19 takeaways. The Eagles will likely trade or shift positions for either Lito Sheppard or Sheldon Brown. Samuel, a two-time Pro Bowl selection with two Super Bowl rings, has 22 career interceptions. He was protected by New England last year by the franchise player tag.

The deal is a 6 year deal worth $57 million. This is a big move by the Eagles locking up one of the best if not the best corner in the game. It, however, is good and bad for the Giants. Even though they will know have him in their division and play him more than they would like it ensures that Giants safety Gibril Wilson will not be going to the Eagles and that he will most likely re-sign with the Giants.

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NFL.com:
"Linebacker Kawika Mitchell reached an agreement with the Buffalo Bills on Friday, cashing in on the first day of NFL free agency after playing on a Super Bowl winner with the New York Giants. "

The deal is worth $17.5 million over 5 years, which breaks down to $3.5 per. I would have loved for the Giants to re-sign him, but that is a hefty price. I think that Mitchell had an outstanding year with the Giants one of his best and had an even better Super Bowl. To me he was one of the reasons the Giants D was so good in that game. It sucks to lose him especially with a team weak at LB, but I wish him the best of luck

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Jets Official Website:
The New York Jets announced today that they have acquired DT Kris Jenkins from the Carolina Panthers in exchange for undisclosed draft choices and signed DT Sione Pouha to a contract extension. The announcements were made by Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum.

As I noted last night the Jets were close to acquiring him yesterday in a 3 team deal. It appears the the picks will be a 3rd and 5th according to Mike and Mike, so its a pretty good deal. Jenkins fills one of the Jets biggest needs immediately.

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ESPN just reported the the New Orleans Saints have contacted the Giants about a trade for Jeremy Shockey. There is not much more to report about this right now because it is a developing story. I am not sure this would upset me too much. Saints I have to admit are my 2nd favorite team so him going there wouldn't hurt, but Kevin Boss is the real reason I wouldn't mind. Even with his attitude problems Shockey is one of the best tight ends in the NFL. Shockey is a former 1st round pick out of University of Maimi(FL) while Kevin Boss is a 5th round pick out of Western Oregon. Like everyone says Boss DOES fit the Giants team better than Shockey. Boss is a much better blocker and almost as good at catching and running with the ball. Stay tuned on what will happen what this deal. Both teams definitely have the motivation to make a deal so there is no reason why a deal won't get done. Remember when everyone had to get their Shockey jersey and how he was the "hottest" thing? Boy times have changed.

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ProFootbalTalk:
Two years ago, there were reports that center LeCharles Bentley would sign with the Eagles on the first day of free agency. He didn’t. The rumor was that Bentley had reneged on a verbal deal that had been brokered in advance of the start of free agency, and signed instead with the Browns. This time around, there are Internet reports from the generally plugged-in gcobb.com that Pats cornerback Asante Samuel has a deal in place to sign with Philly.If true, Samuel can renege without consequence, just like Bentley did. And the Eagles would have no recourse, just as in the Bentley situation. An unwritten player contract negotiated at a time when there should be negotiations at all is, obviously, not enforceable.

Other teams thought to be interested in Samuel are the Saints, Jets, and possible the Bucs. Samuel is believed to want a contract worth at least $10 million per year.

I am not going to comment cause I do not know how trust worthy this is, but take it for what it is worth.

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ESPN:
Faneca could be the Jets' No. 1 priority in free agency, according to the New York Daily News.

The Jets they have a glaring hole at left guard, which Faneca is more than capable of filling. The 31-year-old has appeared in seven straight Pro Bowls and is considered one of the elite offensive linemen in the game. Faneca is expected to command at least $19 million in guarantees.

Jets could really use a guy like him. They need a vet on the o-line to help protect Clemens who got sacked quite often during his time and seemed to rush on a lot of his pases.

The Jets are also setting their sights on Samuel, but the free-agent cornerback appears to be favoring the Saints and Bucs at this point, according to multiple reports.(ESPN)

Can you imagine Revis and Samuel together????? That would be one sick secondary. It seems highly unlikely that the Jets will get him and there have also been rumors that they are not interested at all, but just think about those to in the secondary. And then if they drafted Gholston as many project they could have some D next year.

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As noted last week Tom Coughlin was close to signing a 4 year deal between $20-$24 million dollars. Well today it was just about made official. Coughlin has signed for a 4 year deal worth $21 million, $5.25 million per year. The newspaper reported that Coughlin was slated to make $3.5 million in 2008 but that contract will be discarded for this new extension, which will take the Giants coach through the 2011 season. (ESPN)

Well you can't say anything bad about the guy he has delivered something to New York that will always be remembered. It will also always be remembered in in Boston ;-) He earned every single penny that he obtained. P.S. both Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon said that they do not believe Coughlin will make it more than 4 years and possibly lose the job before then.

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The Marlins apparently want male cheerleaders. Check out this video it is pretty funny if you want a good laugh check it out. Have no clue why they want to do this, but it would look pretty funny at one of their games in 90+ weather,

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If you guys are interested go check out Phil Hughes' Blog. It is pretty interesting and has had more than 340,000 in 11 days. Apparently Cashman is against him having a blog because he doesn't want him to break info and "embarrass" the team. Phil Hughes, however, said that he just wants fans to have a connection to him.

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Here are some appearances from the Mets and Yankee players in trailers(p.s. remember to pick up your copy on March 4):

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per ESPN:

"Pedro Martinez, who's four-year, $53 million deal expires at the end of this season, told the New York Daily News on Tuesday that he will not initiate contract talks with the Mets until the season is over. However, he would be willing to talk if the team expressed interest. "If they approach me, that's fine. But I'm very content," Martinez said. "I'm very satisfied with the way they have treated me here. They have my respect regardless of whether they offer me (an extension) or not, or I have to go somewhere else." General manager Omar Minaya seems to be taking a wait-and-see approach to the situation, saying "Let's see how the year goes. As the year goes along we'll make an evaluation. It's only fair after he only pitched a month last year."

To me the Mets HAVE to re-sign Pedro for at least one more year. As of this moment the only players who could be part of the rotation next year are Johan Santana, John Maine, and Mike Pelfrey. El Duque, Oliver Perez, and Pedro are all free agents. Pedro is only 36 and should still have 2-4 more good years left in him. As we saw before the injury and at the end of last year Pedro does not have to throw 97 mph to get outs. He has shown he knows how to pitch and should come back to the Mets for 2 years at $8-1 1 million per.

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Detroit Free Press:
Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma was in the Detroit area Wednesday for a physical as the Lions explored a potential trade, according to a source. Vilma is recovering from knee surgery but hopes to be ready for training camp. He has a year left on his contract, but the Jets are allowing him to look for a new home because he doesn’t fit their 3-4 defense. The Lions are looking for an upgrade at middle linebacker and are listening to trade offers for defensive tackle Shaun Rogers.


I would sure hope that the Jets do not trade Jonathan Vilma for Shaun Rogers. Rogers is a good player , but I feel that Vilma is much more valuable and when healthy is a much better player. Vilma is also 3 years younger than Rogers and in much better shape. Having David Harris kind of lowers the value of Vilma, but they have to be able to do better. There have been rumors that the Lions were trying to trade an angry Roy Williams. If there is even a way to swing Shaun McDonald in a deal I would try that.

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ESPN:

Dewayne Robertson | Jets | Interested: Broncos?

Robertson, who is a poor fit for the Jets' 3-4 scheme and carries an $11.2 million cap number, is on the trading block, the New York Daily News reports.

The Broncos are among a handful of teams showing interest in the 26-year-old defensive tackle, according to the newspaper. Robertson is scheduled to make $9.8 million in 2008 and is signed through 2009. He's produced only 14.5 sacks in five seasons, but many scouts and personnel people believe Robertson could thrive in the right 4-3 system.

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Rangers have sent foward Marcel Hossa and top prospect Al Montoya to Phoenix for forwards Fredrik Sjostrom and Josh Gratton, and goaltender David Leneveu the Rangers also get a conditional draft pick.

This is a similar situation to the Lastings Milledge trade. Montoya has lost all his value and was not even the starter on Hartford. I like Sjostrom he seems to be a better version of Marcel Hossa and a good PK killer.

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Pittsburgh Tribune:

The Penguins acquired Atlanta left wing Marian Hossa for forwards Colby Armstrong, Erik Christensen, Angelo Esposito -- the 20th overall pick in the 2007entry draft -- and a first round draft pick. The Penguins also acquired right wing Pascal Dupuis.

I honestly HATE this deal for Pitts. Esposito was one of the top prospects in this draft and Christensen and Armstrong are two young amazing players. If they do not win it all they are the biggest losers at the deadline. It does make their team look a lot better right now, but I do not buy it.

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James Mirtle:
Anaheim has plucked defenceman Marc-Andre Bergeron from the Islanders for a third-round pick.
Bergeron is under contract for $1.2-million this season and next.

The Islanders have dealt Chris Simon to Minnesota for a sixth-round pick.

I like the Simon one had to deal him no matter what, I am not to high on the Bergeron one he has some shot.

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ST. LOUIS – St. Louis Blues President John Davidson announced today the club has acquired a 2008 4th round draft pick from the New York Rangers in exchange for defenseman Christian Backman. Backman was the Blues' first round choice in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.

I like this deal even though I wanted Jackman. Big defenseman to replace Mara.

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The New York Islanders have acquired defenseman Rob Davison from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a seventh round draft pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

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TSN:
The Columbus Blue Jackets have traded centre Sergei Fedorov to the Washington Capitals for prospect Theo Ruth.

Caps are making a strong move with adding Fedorov and Huet. They could take the 7th or 8th spot in the standing and make a strong push in the playoffs.

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The Columbus Blue Jackets have traded veteran defenceman Adam Foote to the Colorado Avalanche for a conditional first-round draft pick in 2008 or 2009 and another pick.

again could this mean Lilies is gone and to the Rangers?

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The Ottawa Senators have acquired forward Martin Lapointe from the Blackhawks in exchange for a 2008 6th round pick.

Lang was also pulled off the ice for Chicago and Toronto has made another deal more to come.

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Seems like Tuomo Ruutu has been traded to Carolina for Andrew Ladd more to come.

Update:
TSN:

The Chicago Blackhawks have traded forward Tuomo Ruutu to the Carolina Hurricanes for winger Andrew Ladd.

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TSN:

The Colorado Avalanche have acquired defenceman Ruslan Salei from the Florida Panthers for defenceman Karlis Skrastins and a third-round draft pick.

Could this mean Lilies to the Rangers?

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Sources tell TNL, the Montreal Canadiens dealing Cristobal Huet may have been due to the fact that the Atlanta Thrashers wanted to throw in goaltender Johan Hedberg in the deal with Hossa. The Canadiens are closing in on a deal with the Thrashers and it looks like it could be Hossa and Hedberg on the way to the Montreal. Stay tuned.

If this happens the Huet trade makes a lot of sense. This could also put Montreal over the top in the East.

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TSN:

The New Jersey Devils have bolstered their defence for the stretch run, acquiring defenceman Bryce Salvador from the St. Louis Blues
for forward Cam Janssen.

Don't know why th Blues would want Janssen, but okay

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TSN:

The Montreal Canadiens have traded goaltender Cristobal Huet to the Washington Capitals for a second-round draft pick.

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TSN:

After much speculation, the Tampa Bay Lightning have agreed to trade one of their 'Big Three' forwards, sending centre Brad Richards and goaltender Johan Holmqvist to the Dallas Stars for goalie Mike Smith, centre Jeff Halpern and winger Jussi Jokinen.

Mostly a salary dump for Lighting byt I do like Jokinen.

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TSN:

Unable to sign their potential unrestricted free agent to a long-term deal, the Buffalo Sabres have traded defenceman Brian Campbell to the San Jose Sharks for forward Steve Bernier and a first-round draft pick.

There goes another defenseman the Rangers could have used, but a great trade for the Sharks do not know what Buffalo was thinking here

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NY Daily News:
Rosenhaus did say that both Shockey (broken leg) and Burress (sprained ankle, knee) are “doing great. Plax is feeling great. Jeremy had surgery. He’s out of the boot. He’s walking. He’s been cleared by Doctor (Robert) Anderson. He’ll be ready to go for the offseason program.”

The offseason program, by the way, begins on March 31. Shockey may be ready by then, but he’s not expected to attend.

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Apparently all of the Giants want new contracts now that they have won the Super Bowl. I mentioned earlier that Plaxico Burress had been seeking more money well now Osi Umenyiora seems to want an extension on his $40 million dollar contract through 2012. The Giants are also going to cut R.W. McQuarters and William Joseph. Lastly the Giants are still showing interest in Seattle's Marcus Trufant and Oakland's Nnamdi Asomugha. If they were to get either they would lose this year and next years pick.

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sorry about this late post focusing on the NFL trade deadline:

Boston Globs:

Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma is on the trading block, but the linebacker-needy Patriots shouldn't get their hopes up. Two sources with ties to Vilma said the 2004 first-round pick has permission to shop his services to 30 of the league's teams, but not the Patriots.

While a high-ranking Jets official said the team would trade within the division if the value was right, even if it meant dealing with its bitter rival in New England, the sources close to Vilma contended otherwise.

Can you really blame them for not letting him talk to the Patriots? I mean honestly for the Jets that is the one team you do not want to help at all. But if the Patriots wanted to overpay starting with the 49ers draft pick and more I would have to consider it, but they would have to pay much more then any other team for fans to accept it.

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The New York Yankees have announced that starter Chien-Ming Wang will be the opening day starter in 2008.

Clearly the wise choice. Wang is an ace with a filthy sinker. It is amazing how hard it looks when he throws it and how unhittable it look. It is nice that the team is recognizing him for his efforts, which seem to go under the radar.

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I am hearing Blake was willing to waive his NTC and has been traded to the Colorado Avalanche more to come

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UPDATE: Pick will be either a second or third round draft pick in 2009.

It appears that the Philadelphia Flyers have acquired winger Vaclav Prospal from the Tampa Bay Lighting for Alexandre Picard and a conditional pick in the 2009 draft.

Great move for Philly. Prospal is a true sniper with 29 goals and 28 assists this year. The price also was not as high as a expected. This is a big move a team on a 10 game skid needed to make

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TSN:

You can take Dan Boyle's name off the list of those who might be traded.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed the defensemen to a six-year, $40 million dollar deal.

TSN has learned that the deal will pay Boyle $6.66 million per year for six years. The deal will include a no trade clause in the first four years and a modified no trade in years five and six.

Back to back blows for the Rangers. They had been the leading team to acquire Boyle before this. Look for them to move onto John-Michael Lilies from the Colorado Avalanche.

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Paul Mara, 28, was injured Saturday after being hit on a nasty head on collision with Buffalo Saber Pat Kaleta. Mara is scheduled to have surgery to repair facial fractures today and can not be included in any deal for tomorrows deadline. This also a stronger case to make a trade for a D man.

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Even though there were earlier reports that Peter Forberg would not sign with anyone and likely retire he has signed a contract with the Colorado Avalanche. Forsberg, 34, had until tomorrow to sign to be eligible for the playoffs and a great signing by the Avs. Side note is that Forsberg is 4th on Colorado's all-time points list with 741.

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Per SI.com:
The Mets quietly sought trade offers for Orlando Hernandez late this winter, with the idea that if anyone bit, they would sign Lohse. But apparently there were no takers.

At the moment El Duque is literally hurting from head to toe. He recently revealed that he didn't actually have the bunion removed from his foot that impeded him last year, and that he is due for a root canal, as well. Beyond that, one of these days old age may finally catch up to Hernandez, who's listed as 41.

The Mets should just trade him for whatever they could get. If you ate about $4 million dollars someone would take him no matter what. We all know he is not 41 and more like 45/46, but he still knows how to pitch. If no one was even offering a 2 top 45 prospects then o well keep him the year so Pelfrey only has to pitch half the season in the majors.

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The NY Daily News said that the last game at Yankee Stadium sold out in only 11 minutes and that the best seats will be scalped for $17,000, talk about a ripoff. They also said the bleacher seats will be $165. Some bleacher seats were going as much as $300 which have a face value of only $14.

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Philadelphia Inquirer:

Sources say that Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts will be traded to the Cubs as soon as the Orioles decide which pitchers they want in return. . . .

The Cubs have a choice between Sean Marshall, Donald Veal, Sean Gallagher, and Jason Marquis.(according to MLBTR) I would go with Donald Veal and Sean Gallagher to go along with whatever else is in the deal. Most likely Ronny Cedeno. I guess this is the Cubs getting a steroid user to match the Astros (Miguel Tejada). But this would be a great off-season for O's rebuilding their farm by trading 3 guys. Their system will be stocked and could actually make something of themselves in 3-4 years.

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ESPN:

The Boston Red Sox have reached preliminary agreement on a minor league contract with right-hander Bartolo Colon, a source told ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick.
If he makes the Opening Day roster, Colon would provide rotation insurance for Boston, which will be without Curt Schilling, who is working his way back from a shoulder injury.
Under the terms of the agreement, Colon is not guaranteed any money, a baseball source told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney. If he pitches in the major leagues, it will be for a low baseball salary with performance bonuses.

Good signing for the Sox. Just a few years ago Colon won the Cy Young and when on has ace stuff. If he can regain some velocity on his fastball it makes the Sox that much stronger. This is mostly insurance due to Schillings injury but Colon will definitely be up at some point this season.

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NY Daily News:

"And as for trading Jaromir Jagr, don't hold your breath. The market for
him is minimal, and Glen Sather doesn't share the notion that has gained some traction among a certain (vociferous) segment of the hockey world that the Rangers would be better off without Jagr."

I honestly can not see why the Rangers would want to trade Jagr. He is their captain and a proven winner. Even though he started the season slow he has been hustling lately and scoring some goals. Even though he is a free agent after the season he has already said he wants to remain a Ranger for his career.

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Philadelphia Inquirer:

Brad Lidge is having knee surgery tomorrow in Philadelphia.

He said it will take three to six weeks to fully recover.

Lidge, who reinjured his surgically repaired right knee Saturday while throwing live batting practice at the Carpenter Complex, had a MRI today in Clearwater. He said the MRI showed "no big, new tears, nothing substantially wrong. But enough on the medial side of the knee that would warrant a scope. We're going to do a scope and clean out some of the small tears and get that done with, so it won't bother me during the season."

Lidge had two options:

1) Get the surgery.

2) Let it heal naturally.

"The scope has a pretty fast recovery time," Lidge said. "Ideally, if everything went right I wouldn't miss any of the season. That'd be a good 4 1/2 weeks (away). But that'll be based on how it feels, obviously. Right now, if this came up again during the season and we had to do it then, then you're obviously missing a big chunk of the season rather than a big chunk of spring training."

The three-to-six week timeframe is when Lidge could be throwing competitively, he said.

"The first week (after surgery) you're off it, and then you start going pretty good after that," Lidge said. "It's three to six weeks before games."

Lidge had surgery to repair torn cartilage in his right knee Oct. 1. He entered camp with the knee about 80 percent healthy.

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Delaware Online:

Before heavy rain canceled the Phillies' workout today, new closer Brad Lidge limped off a back field at the Carpenter Complex after catching his spike on the mound and aggravating his surgically repaired right knee.

Lidge's knee flared on his first pitch of live batting practice. He walked off the field with athletic trainer Scott Sheridan and is expected to see a team doctor Sunday for further evaluation
"I just caught the spike on the mound," Lidge said. "I threw the pitch, but it felt like I pulled something in the knee. It didn't feel real good after that. Because of where we are in spring training, there's no reason for me to push it. It swelled up on me a little, but I'm optimistic I just pulled some scar tissue. We'll just try to be smart with it.

"I wouldn't be surprised if it's real sore tomorrow, and I wouldn't be surprised if I miss a day or a couple of days just to be cautious. I figure this is just one of the setbacks or one of the things that'll happen, to be honest.

I am actually one of the few people who thinks Lidge will return to form and be amazing, but if you are a Met fan this is great news. The Phils just acquired Lidge along with Eric Bruntlett this off-season for Michael Bourn, Geoff Geary, and Mike Costanzo and he is already feeling pain on his repaired knee. Maybe this is how the Phils season will go.

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It appears that not only will the Giants try to go after Hall they are also going to go after Marcus Trufant. Trufant was tagged with an exclusive franchise tag, but it doesn't bother the Giants. Trufant, 27, is coming of a career year in which he had 7 interceptions and 85 tackles. There is a better chance of acquiring Hall who is expressing interest in wanting a trade.

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The New York Islanders have announced that they re-signed right winger
Trent Hunter to a 5-year contract through '12-'13. The deal is worth $10 million or $2 per year. Hunter, a fan favorite, was acquired back in 2000 for just a 4th round pick and has been a mainstay in the Islander's team ever since. In 306 NHL games, he has scored 69 goals with 88 assist for 157 points with only 109 penalty minutes.

This is a great and cheap signing. Hunter is a solid 2nd/3rd line player who is a great clubhouse player and worker on the ice. He can kill penalties, get assists, and score a goal every once in a while. It had been reported Hunter wanted a $3 or $4 million dollar contract, but Snow made a great move signing him longer than expected and cheaper than expected.

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Over at ESPN the rated the teams for their deadline decisions here is what they had to say about the Knicks who did the worst out of all the teams who made no moves:

Positive Spin: Isiah Thomas didn't trade away David Lee for Vince Carter. He didn't doom the franchise to salary-cap hell through the next decade with a ridiculous move. And things can't get any worse, right?

Negative Spin: The Knicks needed to move either Eddy Curry or Zach Randolph -- and failed. Other teams had genuine interest in Jamal Crawford, whose trade value has never been this high, and the Knicks passed. James Dolan continues to let Isiah Thomas drive the Knicks into Death Valley with no sign of a turnaround.

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LoHud Yankees Blog:

Pitchers Joe Girardi was impressed with today:

Mike Mussina
Joba Chamberlain
Sean Henn
Steven Jackson (”His sinker was exciting”)

here is some info on Steven Jackson:

Acquired in the trade that sent Randy Johnson back to Arizona, the 26 year-old Jackson split 2007 between AAA and AA, shuffling between the rotation and the pen. The 6’5″ 215 lb righty struggled at AAA, posting a 5.87 ERA in 18 games (11 starts). Demoted to AA, Jackson seemed to find his rhythm as a reliever, with a 3.86 ERA in 21 IP while holding opponents to a 0.256 AVG. The Yankees sent him to the Arizona Fall League to hone his skills as a reliever but Jackson seemingly took another step back, with an ERA of 5.63, a WHIP of 1.75, and an opponents’ AVG of 0.304 in 16 IP. His AFL rate of 10.69 K/9 is encouraging, as is his propensity for inducing ground outs, but it will take a highly impressive spring to keep him from the minors.

I expected this from Penn. I've always been high on him and I know Girardi will use him the right way and get the most out of him. Look for him to make the team and have a big year. He has some good stuff.

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Star Ledger:

"With their top two free-agent targets wearing pricey franchise tags, the Giants are trying another route toward getting a top cornerback: A trade with the Falcons for two-time Pro Bowl cornerback DeAngelo Hall."

The Giant would be sending their 1st round pick in the draft (#31) who is projected to be ILB Dan Connor out of Penn State for former 8th overall pick in 2004, cornerback, DeAngelo Hall. Hall, 24, is a speedy cornerback with outstanding athletisiscm who can be a shut down corner for the Giants and replace aging Sam Madison. Pairing Hall with Ross and Gibril Wilson in the secondary would be one of the leagues best to go along with the leagues best pass rush.

The Giants also waived 3 players the other day including: safety Craig Dahl, center Todd Londot and defensive tackle Dek Bake.

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"The Milwaukee Bucks had serious discussions about acquiring Zach Randolph before rejecting a proposed deal that would have brought Randolph and guard Fred Jones to Milwaukee in exchange for guard Charlie Bell, forward Bobby Simmons and center Dan Gadzuric, according to a league source."

I am actually kind of glad the Bucks turned this down. None of the players the Knicks were getting are that amazing. I would prefer they trade him on draft day for a pick and what not.

Also Zach Randolph and Nate Robinson got into a heated argument after Tuesday nights win and Randolph threw a cup of water at Robinson who then threw a towel at Randolph. They were then seperated.

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"Commissioner David Stern is an avid fan of former Suns owner Jerry Colangelo and brought him into clean up USA Basketball. It's no secret around the league Stern will lobby for James Dolan to bring in Colangelo this summer.

During All-Star festivities in New Orleans, Colangelo told The Post he would be interested in interviewing for the Knick job if it became open. Stern said in the Big Easy he was "optimistic" about the Knicks' fortunes for next season.

Meanwhile, Dolan appears shell-shocked. According to a source who attended the technology summit in New Orleans Saturday, Dolan was asked his feelings on the state of the Knicks as he was walking from the panel. Dolan said, according the source, "I'm not commenting on the Knicks and I'm not commenting for a long time."

Lets just hope Dolan starts making some sense and fires Isiah and brings in Colangelo or anyone else for that matter.

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According to SI.com:

Mets starting pitcher Oliver Perez has won his arbitration hearing and will earn $6.5 million in 2008, SI.com has learned. The Mets submitted a figure of $4.725 million for the 26-year-old lefthander. Perez earned $2.325 in 2007, going 15-10 with a 3.56 ERA.

I do not see how Perez won this case. Chien-Ming Wang who has been more consistent and put up better stats (19 wins 2 years in a row) lost even though he was asking for less money. This is also a sign that Perez will likely receive upwards of $15-17 million this off-season.

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Islander's winger Chris Simon returned Thursday night after sitting out one of the longest suspensions in league history. As you might remember Simon received the suspension for stepping on the leg of Pittsburgh Penguin Jarkko Ruutu. Simon who sat at 35 games returned Thursday is expected to play only 6-8 minutes and needs to play disciplined or will most likely be kick offed of the league

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This according to Blueshirt Bulletin:

"Hartford won 2-1 last night, with Miika Wiikman making a highlight reel save to preserve the win in the final seconds. Wiikman came in to relieve Al Montoya after he sustained a groin injury, a potential snag in the Rangers' ability to make a trade. Chris Holt was recalled from Charlotte after backstopping their win last night. See the Courant and Howlings for recaps of the Pack game, and the Charlotte Observer for the Checkers. Also see Howlings for a preview of the Pack's next game. Prospect Park reports on the difficulties of the Portland Winterhawks, the WHL team Brandon Dubinsky and Mike Sauer played for."

This is a big blow for the Rangers their top prospect and best trading chip going down a few days before the deadline. This could kill any chance the Rangers had at making a trade.

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