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The Braves agreed to a one-year deal with free agent IF Eric Hinske, according to CBSSports.com.
Hinske will serve as a pinch hitter and a reserve infielder, especially at first base where newly signed Troy Glaus will start.
Glaus, a third baseman throughout his career, has played only six games at first base in the majors. Hinske has played in the past three World Series: 2007 with the Red Sox, 2008 with the Rays and 2009 with the Yankees.
The Braves agreed to a one-year deal with free agent IF Eric Hinske, according to CBSSports.com.
Hinske will serve as a pinch hitter and a reserve infielder, especially at first base where newly signed Troy Glaus will start.
Glaus, a third baseman throughout his career, has played only six games at first base in the majors. Hinske has played in the past three World Series: 2007 with the Red Sox, 2008 with the Rays and 2009 with the Yankees.
According to a report on the Rangers’ Web site, the team is interested in free-agent outfielder/DH Vladimir Guerrero and is talking to his representatives.
The holdup could be Guerrero’s asking price, as the Rangers don’t have much money to spend. However, given the lack of interest in Guerrero from other teams, the Rangers might have some bargaining power.
The Web site reported Texas also has interest in free agent outfielders Jermaine Dye, Gary Sheffield and Xavier Nady, as well as free agent DH Jim Thome. The Rangers scored 117 fewer runs in 2009 than in 2008 and lost their top RBI man, outfielder Marlon Byrd, to the Cubs in free agency this offseason. Thus, their desire to add a bat.
According to a report on the Rangers’ Web site, the team is interested in free-agent outfielder/DH Vladimir Guerrero and is talking to his representatives.
The holdup could be Guerrero’s asking price, as the Rangers don’t have much money to spend. However, given the lack of interest in Guerrero from other teams, the Rangers might have some bargaining power.
The Web site reported Texas also has interest in free agent outfielders Jermaine Dye, Gary Sheffield and Xavier Nady, as well as free agent DH Jim Thome. The Rangers scored 117 fewer runs in 2009 than in 2008 and lost their top RBI man, outfielder Marlon Byrd, to the Cubs in free agency this offseason. Thus, their desire to add a bat.
The opening week of the NFL playoffs looks eerily familiar.
In the NFC, it’s an almost exact copy of what we just saw in Week 17 — same bat hosts, same bat visitors, same bat stadiums, only with one different bat channel and two different bat times.
In the AFC, the Jets return the home-and-home favor with a trip to Cincinnati, and the Ravens and Patriots meet again in New England 14 weeks after playing there on Oct. 4.
This time around, however, there will be no holding back, mentally or physically. There’s no cushion for some teams of playing at least one more game this season. That should lead to some very aggressive play in every game.
Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys are going for a three-game sweep of their division rivals in hopes of getting their first playoff victory in 13 seasons. It also would be Tony Romo’s first postseason win in three attempts. Looking at recent history and thinking that they can’t pull it off against the Eagles for a second consecutive week and the third time since Week 9 would be a mistake, because, well, the past is in the past.
Romo is a better quarterback than he’s ever been in his fourth season as an NFL starter. The defense has never been this good since the switch to a 3-4 under Bill Parcells. The combination of chemistry and confidence hasn’t been there like this in quite some time. There are unreasonable expectations that often come with being America’s Team, and taking in the mood of the locker room and realizing all the talent it has, you get a sense the Cowboys are ready to do something special.
On the field, the Cowboys have proved to be the better team than Philadelphia twice. They have the power running game to wear down the Eagles’ pass rush and limit the blitzing. They have receivers such as Miles Austin and Jason Witten who can get open for big plays. Romo is playing at such a high level, he’s reading everything well when under pressure.
Defensively, there have been two major developments. First, the secondary has turned into a solid unit, thanks to Mike Jenkins starring opposite Terence Newman. The linebackers have seen an upgrade, with Keith Brooking a perfect fit inside and Anthony Spencer emerging as a pass-rush threat opposite DeMarcus Ware. The Eagles being such a pass-heavy team plays right into the Cowboys’ hands.
For some reason, Dallas couldn’t beat the Giants this season, but they’re not around any more. They match up much better against the Eagles, and that will show again on Saturday night. Cowboys 27, Eagles 24.
AFC Game of the Week
New York Jets at Cincinnati Bengals. In a playoff field loaded with top-flight quarterbacks, you can make the case that the Jets and Bengals are the two weakest at the position, despite the USC pedigrees of Mark Sanchez and Carson Palmer. It’s no secret that both teams have gotten to the playoffs on the strengths of stout defenses backed by grinding running games. Stuff the run, rush the passer and chew up clock with long, efficient scoring drives.
It’s funny that the two backs involved with those game plans are former Bears — Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson. It must be something about a black-and-blue brand of football. Of course, the Jets have another tie to the Chicago way, with Rex Ryan coaching up an attacking 3-4 defense reminiscent of his father Buddy’s best units. This should be an ugly, low-scoring game, and that will suit the younger Ryan and his Bengals counterpart, Marvin Lewis, just fine.
The difference here will be Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis and New York’s offensive line. Revis will shut down Chad Ochocinco, making it very difficult for Cincinnati to move the ball in a one-dimensional rushing offense. On the other side, the loss of rookie linebacker Rey Maualuga is huge, because it will allow Jets run blockers to pave an easier way for Jones and Shonn Greene. Jets 19, Bengals 13
Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots. Remember Mark Clayton’s drop on the Ravens’ final drive against the Pats in Week 4? Had he caught that ball, there’s a good chance the Ravens would have emerged winners from what was a 27-21 loss at Foxborough.
You know in the rematch that Baltimore will be adept at shutting down the Patriots’ mix of backs in the running game. In turn the Patriots will work to take away what the Ravens do best — move the ball with feature back Ray Rice.
That should make Joe Flacco and Tom Brady confident to take to the air, where neither will be daunted by the other’s team pass rush or secondary. Without having to worry about pesky Wes Welker, however, look for the Ravens to bracket their coverage on Randy Moss so they aren’t beat deep, making Brady dink and dunk more, increasing the chance of a turnover.
As for Flacco, working with offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, the Ravens will spread out the Patriots’ defense with the pass, and then come back to the run with Rice and Willis McGahee to steal a victory later. Ravens 30, Patriots 27
Upset of the Week
Green Bay Packers over Arizona Cardinals. We’ve already picked the Jets and Ravens as underdogs, so going with the Packers is pure gravy. The Packers just throttled the resting Cards in Glendale last week, and they won’t let up with more on the line.
Green Bay’s 3-4 is capable of keeping Beanie Wells and Arizona’s ground game in check, which will put the Packers in a good situation against the pass. Clay Matthews will lead the charge to put pressure on Kurt Warner, and as usual, cornerback Charles Woodson will come up with a big play or two.
Offensively, the Packers will keep Arizona off-balance with a balanced attack and Aaron Rodgers’ mobility helping them make some big plays. They’ll mix in Ryan Grant effectively to keep the Cardinals’ aggressive front honest, and they’ll score the decisive touchdown late. Packers 24, Cardinals 20
Stats of the Week
Week 17 record: 14-2
Regular-season record: 165-75.
Vinnie Iyer is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at viyer@sportingnews.com.
The opening week of the NFL playoffs looks eerily familiar.
In the NFC, it’s an almost exact copy of what we just saw in Week 17 — same bat hosts, same bat visitors, same bat stadiums, only with one different bat channel and two different bat times.
In the AFC, the Jets return the home-and-home favor with a trip to Cincinnati, and the Ravens and Patriots meet again in New England 14 weeks after playing there on Oct. 4.
This time around, however, there will be no holding back, mentally or physically. There’s no cushion for some teams of playing at least one more game this season. That should lead to some very aggressive play in every game.
Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys are going for a three-game sweep of their division rivals in hopes of getting their first playoff victory in 13 seasons. It also would be Tony Romo’s first postseason win in three attempts. Looking at recent history and thinking that they can’t pull it off against the Eagles for a second consecutive week and the third time since Week 9 would be a mistake, because, well, the past is in the past.
Romo is a better quarterback than he’s ever been in his fourth season as an NFL starter. The defense has never been this good since the switch to a 3-4 under Bill Parcells. The combination of chemistry and confidence hasn’t been there like this in quite some time. There are unreasonable expectations that often come with being America’s Team, and taking in the mood of the locker room and realizing all the talent it has, you get a sense the Cowboys are ready to do something special.
On the field, the Cowboys have proved to be the better team than Philadelphia twice. They have the power running game to wear down the Eagles’ pass rush and limit the blitzing. They have receivers such as Miles Austin and Jason Witten who can get open for big plays. Romo is playing at such a high level, he’s reading everything well when under pressure.
Defensively, there have been two major developments. First, the secondary has turned into a solid unit, thanks to Mike Jenkins starring opposite Terence Newman. The linebackers have seen an upgrade, with Keith Brooking a perfect fit inside and Anthony Spencer emerging as a pass-rush threat opposite DeMarcus Ware. The Eagles being such a pass-heavy team plays right into the Cowboys’ hands.
For some reason, Dallas couldn’t beat the Giants this season, but they’re not around any more. They match up much better against the Eagles, and that will show again on Saturday night. Cowboys 27, Eagles 24.
AFC Game of the Week
New York Jets at Cincinnati Bengals. In a playoff field loaded with top-flight quarterbacks, you can make the case that the Jets and Bengals are the two weakest at the position, despite the USC pedigrees of Mark Sanchez and Carson Palmer. It’s no secret that both teams have gotten to the playoffs on the strengths of stout defenses backed by grinding running games. Stuff the run, rush the passer and chew up clock with long, efficient scoring drives.
It’s funny that the two backs involved with those game plans are former Bears — Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson. It must be something about a black-and-blue brand of football. Of course, the Jets have another tie to the Chicago way, with Rex Ryan coaching up an attacking 3-4 defense reminiscent of his father Buddy’s best units. This should be an ugly, low-scoring game, and that will suit the younger Ryan and his Bengals counterpart, Marvin Lewis, just fine.
The difference here will be Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis and New York’s offensive line. Revis will shut down Chad Ochocinco, making it very difficult for Cincinnati to move the ball in a one-dimensional rushing offense. On the other side, the loss of rookie linebacker Rey Maualuga is huge, because it will allow Jets run blockers to pave an easier way for Jones and Shonn Greene. Jets 19, Bengals 13
Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots. Remember Mark Clayton’s drop on the Ravens’ final drive against the Pats in Week 4? Had he caught that ball, there’s a good chance the Ravens would have emerged winners from what was a 27-21 loss at Foxborough.
You know in the rematch that Baltimore will be adept at shutting down the Patriots’ mix of backs in the running game. In turn the Patriots will work to take away what the Ravens do best — move the ball with feature back Ray Rice.
That should make Joe Flacco and Tom Brady confident to take to the air, where neither will be daunted by the other’s team pass rush or secondary. Without having to worry about pesky Wes Welker, however, look for the Ravens to bracket their coverage on Randy Moss so they aren’t beat deep, making Brady dink and dunk more, increasing the chance of a turnover.
As for Flacco, working with offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, the Ravens will spread out the Patriots’ defense with the pass, and then come back to the run with Rice and Willis McGahee to steal a victory later. Ravens 30, Patriots 27
Upset of the Week
Green Bay Packers over Arizona Cardinals. We’ve already picked the Jets and Ravens as underdogs, so going with the Packers is pure gravy. The Packers just throttled the resting Cards in Glendale last week, and they won’t let up with more on the line.
Green Bay’s 3-4 is capable of keeping Beanie Wells and Arizona’s ground game in check, which will put the Packers in a good situation against the pass. Clay Matthews will lead the charge to put pressure on Kurt Warner, and as usual, cornerback Charles Woodson will come up with a big play or two.
Offensively, the Packers will keep Arizona off-balance with a balanced attack and Aaron Rodgers’ mobility helping them make some big plays. They’ll mix in Ryan Grant effectively to keep the Cardinals’ aggressive front honest, and they’ll score the decisive touchdown late. Packers 24, Cardinals 20
Stats of the Week
Week 17 record: 14-2
Regular-season record: 165-75.
Vinnie Iyer is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at viyer@sportingnews.com.
Hall of Fame election results announced Wednesday were as surprising for who didn’t get in as who did. Few figured Andre Dawson would be the only player to gain election, while Roberto Alomar was the candidate most figured would get the call.
Well, Dawson knows where he’ll be July 25: In Cooperstown to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. And Alomar? Maybe next year.
Lessons learned from the announcement:
Patience pays: Dawson made the Hall on his ninth time on the ballot. He said he had a feeling the call would come this year. "It was worth the wait," he said. His numbers in today’s offensive framework don’t look Hall worthy: .279 average, .323 OBP and 438 homers — but Dawson was a dominant player in the 1980s. He also was one of the game’s most respected players by his peers and the fans.
Patience is a must: After falling just five votes short on his 13th try, Bert Blyleven could have cried. Instead, he smiled and actually was upbeat talking to reporters. One reason: He had a bigger jump in support than Dawson, who went from 67 percent to 77.9. Blyleven had an 11.5 percent bump, all the way to 74.2 percent. That number brings us to another reason: After coming so close, he can count on getting the call next year.
The incident was costly: Alomar is widely regarded as the best second baseman since Joe Morgan and one of the best half-dozen or so ever. The only explanation for him falling eight votes short was payback for spitting in the face of umpire John Hirschbeck, even though Hirschbeck forgave him long ago. Another reason Alomar could have fallen short: He did not make any friends with the media for his approach in his two years with the Mets.
Steroids matter: Mark McGwire again failed to garner 25 percent of the votes, the 23.7 percent he received was just slightly more than the 21.9 percent a year ago. Stay tuned next year. McGwire is supposed to talk with the media at some point before he begins his new job as the Cardinals’ batting coach. What he says undoubtedly will have an impact on his support from voters for the Hall of Fame.
DH’s time has not arrived: Edgar Martinez, one of the top hitters of the 1990s, was named on 36.2 percent of the ballots. The Mariners were not expecting him to make it, but he got enough votes for them to continue to work on his case.
Market factors: Barry Larkin was the first shortstop to have a 30-homer, 30-stolen base season. He won an MVP, three Gold Gloves and was among the first shortstops to excel as much on offense as defense. So why didn’t he get more than 51.6 percent of the votes? My reason: He spent his entire career in small-market Cincinnati.
Closer still not that close: Lee Smith was the all-time leader in saves when he retired, and still is No. 3 behind Trevor Hoffman and Mariano Rivera. Yet Smith still hasn’t received 50 percent of the votes in any of his seven times on the ballot. At least he is going in the right direction. His 47.3 percent this time was 2.8 percent better than last year. With such a slow climb, though, Smith needs to be patient. Hey, it worked for Andre Dawson.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
Hall of Fame election results announced Wednesday were as surprising for who didn’t get in as who did. Few figured Andre Dawson would be the only player to gain election, while Roberto Alomar was the candidate most figured would get the call.
Well, Dawson knows where he’ll be July 25: In Cooperstown to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. And Alomar? Maybe next year.
Lessons learned from the announcement:
Patience pays: Dawson made the Hall on his ninth time on the ballot. He said he had a feeling the call would come this year. "It was worth the wait," he said. His numbers in today’s offensive framework don’t look Hall worthy: .279 average, .323 OBP and 438 homers — but Dawson was a dominant player in the 1980s. He also was one of the game’s most respected players by his peers and the fans.
Patience is a must: After falling just five votes short on his 13th try, Bert Blyleven could have cried. Instead, he smiled and actually was upbeat talking to reporters. One reason: He had a bigger jump in support than Dawson, who went from 67 percent to 77.9. Blyleven had an 11.5 percent bump, all the way to 74.2 percent. That number brings us to another reason: After coming so close, he can count on getting the call next year.
The incident was costly: Alomar is widely regarded as the best second baseman since Joe Morgan and one of the best half-dozen or so ever. The only explanation for him falling eight votes short was payback for spitting in the face of umpire John Hirschbeck, even though Hirschbeck forgave him long ago. Another reason Alomar could have fallen short: He did not make any friends with the media for his approach in his two years with the Mets.
Steroids matter: Mark McGwire again failed to garner 25 percent of the votes, the 23.7 percent he received was just slightly more than the 21.9 percent a year ago. Stay tuned next year. McGwire is supposed to talk with the media at some point before he begins his new job as the Cardinals’ batting coach. What he says undoubtedly will have an impact on his support from voters for the Hall of Fame.
DH’s time has not arrived: Edgar Martinez, one of the top hitters of the 1990s, was named on 36.2 percent of the ballots. The Mariners were not expecting him to make it, but he got enough votes for them to continue to work on his case.
Market factors: Barry Larkin was the first shortstop to have a 30-homer, 30-stolen base season. He won an MVP, three Gold Gloves and was among the first shortstops to excel as much on offense as defense. So why didn’t he get more than 51.6 percent of the votes? My reason: He spent his entire career in small-market Cincinnati.
Closer still not that close: Lee Smith was the all-time leader in saves when he retired, and still is No. 3 behind Trevor Hoffman and Mariano Rivera. Yet Smith still hasn’t received 50 percent of the votes in any of his seven times on the ballot. At least he is going in the right direction. His 47.3 percent this time was 2.8 percent better than last year. With such a slow climb, though, Smith needs to be patient. Hey, it worked for Andre Dawson.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
Sports Radio Interviews is a streaming independent sports blog which provides analysis on breaking sports news, upcoming games, and sporting events from a sports radio perspective. SRI articles frequently appear on SportingNews.com.
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning had perhaps his best season as a pro in 2009, throwing for 4,021 yards and 27 touchdowns. However, the Giants couldn’t build upon a 5-0 start, struggled down the stretch, and missed the playoffs.
Manning joined Michael Kay on 1050 ESPN Radio in New York to talk about the season, the disappointment of not making the playoffs, the hot start to the year, and the team’s horrible finish in the last two games.
Asked what he thought happened to the Giants after a 5-0 start to the season:
"I don’t know. I don’t have that answer, either. I wish I did. I wish it was something you can put your finger on, because then you would know exactly how to fix it. I don’t have that answer.
We didn’t play well. We didn’t run the ball. We didn’t throw the ball well. We weren’t in sync, and we couldn’t convert third downs. Offensively, we just couldn’t get anything going. Minnesota plays well; they play very well at home. They do a good job of jumping the silent count with their pass rush … You are going to lose some games in the NFL, but we did not need to play that way. Our ownership, players, and coaches didn’t deserve to go through that.
It wasn’t a lack of effort. We prepared during the week at practice, we were doing the right things, but we just didn’t bring it to the field and just didn’t play well."
Asked if there were enough winners on the team:
"There are enough winners on the team. There are guys committed to this football team, and they take a lot of pride and work hard at their job, take it very seriously, and are committed to it.
It was just a tough season. We just weren’t used to losing that many games and going through those stretches. Even during the toughest stretches when you’re losing four games in a row, we were still out there preparing and fighting. For whatever reason, we weren’t as good a team as we thought we were. I don’t have the exact answer why and I know we can make a change and play better than we did.
We had some young guys on this team and we got to make sure they don’t think this is the Giant way of playing football, this is not what we are used to, and make sure they don’t start thinking this is how it’s going to be, because it is not. We do have to make a change, we do have to make a difference, and it’s not in the coaches. It’s in the players being responsible for what they are doing and go out there and play the way we are coached to play."
Asked about the leadership on the Giants team and Manning being the leader of the offense:
"I think you can always improve on being a leader and I think I definitely feel comfortable as the leader of the offense. Especially with the young guys at skill positions that I am working with and making sure they are mentally prepared for what we are expecting that game.
Each team has different ways of playing defenses and doing different styles and different approaches. You are trying to make sure that they are thinking about running different routes against different defenses and what their adjustments are going to be.
I did more of a hands on job working with these guys this year then I have in the past. In the past we had guys that were more experienced and been around the block and they kind of knew what was going on because they played in more games. Obviously, we didn’t win as many games. We went through slumps, and you can always look back and say I need to do a better job of leading this team and that’s true. It’s something you work on every year and every year you are going to go through different challenges and things you have to deal with. Maybe I could have reacted differently to certain things to make sure our team was mentally focused and prepared to go through these situations."
Listen to Eli Manning with Michael Kay on 1050 ESPN Radio in New York
===
More from SRI
Ray Rice on making the Pro Bowl
Jason Bay on choosing to sign with the New York Mets
Sports Radio Interviews is a streaming independent sports blog which provides analysis on breaking sports news, upcoming games, and sporting events from a sports radio perspective. SRI articles frequently appear on SportingNews.com.
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning had perhaps his best season as a pro in 2009, throwing for 4,021 yards and 27 touchdowns. However, the Giants couldn’t build upon a 5-0 start, struggled down the stretch, and missed the playoffs.
Manning joined Michael Kay on 1050 ESPN Radio in New York to talk about the season, the disappointment of not making the playoffs, the hot start to the year, and the team’s horrible finish in the last two games.
Asked what he thought happened to the Giants after a 5-0 start to the season:
"I don’t know. I don’t have that answer, either. I wish I did. I wish it was something you can put your finger on, because then you would know exactly how to fix it. I don’t have that answer.
We didn’t play well. We didn’t run the ball. We didn’t throw the ball well. We weren’t in sync, and we couldn’t convert third downs. Offensively, we just couldn’t get anything going. Minnesota plays well; they play very well at home. They do a good job of jumping the silent count with their pass rush … You are going to lose some games in the NFL, but we did not need to play that way. Our ownership, players, and coaches didn’t deserve to go through that.
It wasn’t a lack of effort. We prepared during the week at practice, we were doing the right things, but we just didn’t bring it to the field and just didn’t play well."
Asked if there were enough winners on the team:
"There are enough winners on the team. There are guys committed to this football team, and they take a lot of pride and work hard at their job, take it very seriously, and are committed to it.
It was just a tough season. We just weren’t used to losing that many games and going through those stretches. Even during the toughest stretches when you’re losing four games in a row, we were still out there preparing and fighting. For whatever reason, we weren’t as good a team as we thought we were. I don’t have the exact answer why and I know we can make a change and play better than we did.
We had some young guys on this team and we got to make sure they don’t think this is the Giant way of playing football, this is not what we are used to, and make sure they don’t start thinking this is how it’s going to be, because it is not. We do have to make a change, we do have to make a difference, and it’s not in the coaches. It’s in the players being responsible for what they are doing and go out there and play the way we are coached to play."
Asked about the leadership on the Giants team and Manning being the leader of the offense:
"I think you can always improve on being a leader and I think I definitely feel comfortable as the leader of the offense. Especially with the young guys at skill positions that I am working with and making sure they are mentally prepared for what we are expecting that game.
Each team has different ways of playing defenses and doing different styles and different approaches. You are trying to make sure that they are thinking about running different routes against different defenses and what their adjustments are going to be.
I did more of a hands on job working with these guys this year then I have in the past. In the past we had guys that were more experienced and been around the block and they kind of knew what was going on because they played in more games. Obviously, we didn’t win as many games. We went through slumps, and you can always look back and say I need to do a better job of leading this team and that’s true. It’s something you work on every year and every year you are going to go through different challenges and things you have to deal with. Maybe I could have reacted differently to certain things to make sure our team was mentally focused and prepared to go through these situations."
Listen to Eli Manning with Michael Kay on 1050 ESPN Radio in New York
===
More from SRI
Ray Rice on making the Pro Bowl
Jason Bay on choosing to sign with the New York Mets
By signing Matt Holliday, the Cardinals:
• Assured themselves of having one of the three best middle-of-the-order attacks in the game (along with the Yankees and Phillies).
• Showed Albert Pujols they are willing to spend.
• Ensured they will enter the season as N.L. Central favorites.
What the Cardinals haven’t done: improve their roster from the end of last season. But this is one time when the status quo could be enough because the rest of the division hasn’t done enough to close the gap on St. Louis.
The moves so far (ranked by strength of moves)
Cardinals. It took awhile and it cost a bunch, but the Cardinals accomplished their No. 1 offseason goal: They signed the top free agent on the market. Holliday should be happy, too. He lands in the best place a hitter could want: the spot behind Pujols. Holliday took advantage last season when he actually outhit Pujols after joining the Cardinals. The club also signed Brad Penny to replace free agent Joel Pineiro in the rotation. Pineiro priced himself out of St. Louis by putting up a 3.49 ERA in 214 innings.
Cubs. General manager Jim Hendry also took care of his No. 1 offseason priority: correcting his No. 1 mistake of last season. Hendry dumped Milton Bradley on the Mariners in exchange for another bad contract in righthander Carlos Silva. Even if Silva doesn’t make the rotation — he is a long shot — the Cubs should benefit because of addition by subtraction. Clubhouse chemistry is not anything they have to worry about with Marlon Byrd, their latest free-agent outfield addition from the Rangers. On the other hand, the Cubs should hope the ivy comes in extra thick this year because Byrd, built like a fullback, goes hard after everything in center field.
Brewers. They needed to upgrade their rotation and did so by signing lefthander Randy Wolf. But that is like adding one coat of white paint over a black wall that needs three coats. Reliever LaTroy Hawkins could prove just as important if he can match his ’09 numbers with the Astros (2.13 ERA in 65 appearances). Milwaukee’s lineup will include two newcomers: Carlos Gomez in center and Gregg Zaun behind the plate. Replacing Jason Kendall with Zaun is more or less a wash. Gomez, however, is worth watching. He has plenty of talent but often annoyed manager Ron Gardenhire in Minnesota with an approach best described as erratic.
Astros. Pedro Feliz will fit in at third base, and the bullpen shouldn’t miss Jose Valverde after adding Matt Lindstrom and Brandon Lyon. Houston also has given former Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills his first managing job. But all the Astros have done to address their biggest need — starting pitching — is sign Gustavo Chacin to a minor league deal. He hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2007.
Pirates. New second baseman Akinori Iwamura is a solid defender, carries a capable bat (.354 OBP in three seasons) and should ease the pain of last year’s loss of Freddy Sanchez. As the team’s highest-paid player ($4.85 million), he had better. The Pirates’ other notable additions — oft-injured infielder Bobby Crosby and lefthanded relievers Jack Taschner and Javier Lopez — do little to improve the odds of the club ending its 17-season losing streak.
Reds. They made a nice move in restructuring Scott Rolen’s contract to give them financial flexibility for 2010. What they do with that flexibility remains to be seen.
To-do lists (ranked by moves still needed)
Reds. They could use a shortstop and a veteran bat for the outfield. To get one, they could trade veteran starter Aaron Harang, who was part of the winter-meetings rumor mill. But don’t be surprised if the Reds you see now are the Reds you see when the team reports to its new spring training home in Arizona.
Astros. With Lance Berkman, Roy Oswalt, Wandy Rodriguez and a strong outfield, the Astros have a chance to be good. Don’t count on improvement, though, unless they pick up a couple of starting pitchers. Plenty of veterans remain and the prices should not go up as the offseason continues. The Astros also need a shortstop to replace Miguel Tejada.
Pirates. They still need a first baseman. Hank Blalock still needs a job. He might not have any better opportunities.
Cubs. They found out last season that Mike Fontenot should not be an everyday second baseman on a contending team. So why haven’t they signed Orlando Hudson? They could try him in their leadoff role and fill two needs with one player.
Brewers. They aren’t done shopping for starting pitchers. Mark Mulder has been linked to them in large part because he had his greatest success when he worked in Oakland with Milwaukee’s new pitching coach, Rick Peterson. Mulder is expected to begin throwing for teams in the coming weeks. Of course, he has been saying as much for months.
Cardinals. With Holliday finally on board, the Cardinals can focus on their remaining needs: third base, No. 5 starter and bullpen depth. They are in a good position because they have youngsters for all three spots. Tejada would be an ideal fit at third if his price falls. If it doesn’t, look for the Cardinals to go after a discount starter.
Sizing up 2010
If the Cardinals hadn’t kept Holliday, choosing a division favorite would have been difficult. His return makes them an easy pick to repeat. Expect the Cubs to be much improved for no other reason than better health; they suffered more than their share of injuries in 2009. One more reliable starter could go a long way in helping the Brewers contend because their already formidable lineup will benefit from another year of growing up and the return of Rickie Weeks. The battle for fourth place between the Astros and Reds should come down to the development of Cincinnati’s young hitters vs. the improvement in Houston’s rotation. The Pirates still look like a lock for last.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
By signing Matt Holliday, the Cardinals:
• Assured themselves of having one of the three best middle-of-the-order attacks in the game (along with the Yankees and Phillies).
• Showed Albert Pujols they are willing to spend.
• Ensured they will enter the season as N.L. Central favorites.
What the Cardinals haven’t done: improve their roster from the end of last season. But this is one time when the status quo could be enough because the rest of the division hasn’t done enough to close the gap on St. Louis.
The moves so far (ranked by strength of moves)
Cardinals. It took awhile and it cost a bunch, but the Cardinals accomplished their No. 1 offseason goal: They signed the top free agent on the market. Holliday should be happy, too. He lands in the best place a hitter could want: the spot behind Pujols. Holliday took advantage last season when he actually outhit Pujols after joining the Cardinals. The club also signed Brad Penny to replace free agent Joel Pineiro in the rotation. Pineiro priced himself out of St. Louis by putting up a 3.49 ERA in 214 innings.
Cubs. General manager Jim Hendry also took care of his No. 1 offseason priority: correcting his No. 1 mistake of last season. Hendry dumped Milton Bradley on the Mariners in exchange for another bad contract in righthander Carlos Silva. Even if Silva doesn’t make the rotation — he is a long shot — the Cubs should benefit because of addition by subtraction. Clubhouse chemistry is not anything they have to worry about with Marlon Byrd, their latest free-agent outfield addition from the Rangers. On the other hand, the Cubs should hope the ivy comes in extra thick this year because Byrd, built like a fullback, goes hard after everything in center field.
Brewers. They needed to upgrade their rotation and did so by signing lefthander Randy Wolf. But that is like adding one coat of white paint over a black wall that needs three coats. Reliever LaTroy Hawkins could prove just as important if he can match his ’09 numbers with the Astros (2.13 ERA in 65 appearances). Milwaukee’s lineup will include two newcomers: Carlos Gomez in center and Gregg Zaun behind the plate. Replacing Jason Kendall with Zaun is more or less a wash. Gomez, however, is worth watching. He has plenty of talent but often annoyed manager Ron Gardenhire in Minnesota with an approach best described as erratic.
Astros. Pedro Feliz will fit in at third base, and the bullpen shouldn’t miss Jose Valverde after adding Matt Lindstrom and Brandon Lyon. Houston also has given former Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills his first managing job. But all the Astros have done to address their biggest need — starting pitching — is sign Gustavo Chacin to a minor league deal. He hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2007.
Pirates. New second baseman Akinori Iwamura is a solid defender, carries a capable bat (.354 OBP in three seasons) and should ease the pain of last year’s loss of Freddy Sanchez. As the team’s highest-paid player ($4.85 million), he had better. The Pirates’ other notable additions — oft-injured infielder Bobby Crosby and lefthanded relievers Jack Taschner and Javier Lopez — do little to improve the odds of the club ending its 17-season losing streak.
Reds. They made a nice move in restructuring Scott Rolen’s contract to give them financial flexibility for 2010. What they do with that flexibility remains to be seen.
To-do lists (ranked by moves still needed)
Reds. They could use a shortstop and a veteran bat for the outfield. To get one, they could trade veteran starter Aaron Harang, who was part of the winter-meetings rumor mill. But don’t be surprised if the Reds you see now are the Reds you see when the team reports to its new spring training home in Arizona.
Astros. With Lance Berkman, Roy Oswalt, Wandy Rodriguez and a strong outfield, the Astros have a chance to be good. Don’t count on improvement, though, unless they pick up a couple of starting pitchers. Plenty of veterans remain and the prices should not go up as the offseason continues. The Astros also need a shortstop to replace Miguel Tejada.
Pirates. They still need a first baseman. Hank Blalock still needs a job. He might not have any better opportunities.
Cubs. They found out last season that Mike Fontenot should not be an everyday second baseman on a contending team. So why haven’t they signed Orlando Hudson? They could try him in their leadoff role and fill two needs with one player.
Brewers. They aren’t done shopping for starting pitchers. Mark Mulder has been linked to them in large part because he had his greatest success when he worked in Oakland with Milwaukee’s new pitching coach, Rick Peterson. Mulder is expected to begin throwing for teams in the coming weeks. Of course, he has been saying as much for months.
Cardinals. With Holliday finally on board, the Cardinals can focus on their remaining needs: third base, No. 5 starter and bullpen depth. They are in a good position because they have youngsters for all three spots. Tejada would be an ideal fit at third if his price falls. If it doesn’t, look for the Cardinals to go after a discount starter.
Sizing up 2010
If the Cardinals hadn’t kept Holliday, choosing a division favorite would have been difficult. His return makes them an easy pick to repeat. Expect the Cubs to be much improved for no other reason than better health; they suffered more than their share of injuries in 2009. One more reliable starter could go a long way in helping the Brewers contend because their already formidable lineup will benefit from another year of growing up and the return of Rickie Weeks. The battle for fourth place between the Astros and Reds should come down to the development of Cincinnati’s young hitters vs. the improvement in Houston’s rotation. The Pirates still look like a lock for last.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
Bill Cowher has a problem. By waiting to get serious about getting back into the NFL, Cowher has few choices, now that he’s finally ready to return.
Several factors have combined to complicate Cowher’s circumstances. For a variety of reasons (not the least of which is a looming lockout in 2011), head coaches aren’t being fired with the same fervor as in past years. And with Mike Shanahan soon earning north of $10 million to coach the Redskins (not to mention $3.5 million in each of the next two years to not coach the Broncos), Cowher will want at least that much. He also will want full control over the football operations.
So with teams not lining up for the man who won a Super Bowl in 2005, his 14th season with the Steelers, let’s take a look at his for options from 2010, from worst to best.
Multiple reports have emerged linking Cowher to the Buccaneers. But the team reportedly wasn’t interested in paying him more than $6 million per year, and on Tuesday night the team angrily denied Cowher was a candidate for the job.
Though Cowher surely would have received full control over the roster and the draft, the team’s recent unwillingness to break the bank for players would have made it much harder to put together a competitive team, especially in an uncapped year.
So if there were talks, they fell apart quickly — and the Buccaneers decided to love the one they’re with.
Despite the absence of any strong indication that owner Bud Adams is ready to make a change, some believe the time possibly has come for the team and coach Jeff Fisher to part ways.
And that could give Cowher a viable option in the AFC South.
But money and control again would be an issue. Adams would have to fire or neuter GM Mike Reinfeldt, and also would have to pay Cowher that $10 million salary.
Then there’s the fact that anyone who coaches the Titans will have to accept Vince Young as his quarterback.
So while the Titans might end up looking for a head coach, Cowher likely wouldn’t get the money and the power he wants.
It’s clear the Bills would love to have Cowher. But the thinking is he doesn’t want to go there. The presence of a 91-year-old owner and an unsettled succession plan likely are significant factors.
Then there’s the money. It would be difficult if not impossible for the team to cough up eight figures per year, at a time when the Bills are languishing in a market that’s having a tough time properly supporting an NFL franchise.
This one would have been an option — and possibly still could be — if Cowher were willing to let GM Jerry Angelo run the show. But with Cowher wanting control, the Bears would be forced to eat coach Lovie Smith’s contract, and Angelo’s.
Amid reports that coach John Fox will be retained for the final year of his contract but not offered an extension, it’s possible Fox and the Panthers will come to an agreement that creates a vacancy not far from Cowher’s current home.
If that happens, Cowher likely would move to the top of the list. GM Marty Hurney currently is under contract through June, which would make it easy — and cheap — to give Cowher the keys.
Money could be a sticking point, but even if Cowher has to take a little less, the proximity to his residence makes it the best option — if the job becomes available.
If the Carolina job remains filled for 2010, Cowher’s best bet will be to return to CBS for one more year. With Lovie Smith, Fox, and Giants coach Tom Coughlin surely on the hot seat next year, one or more of those jobs could end up being available.
The possibility of a lockout could complicate Cowher’s return, but teams will need to have head coaches in place in the event a new labor deal is negotiated. And Cowher could have a much easier time getting the money and the power he wants by waiting one more year.
But he can’t wait too much longer. With each passing season, the memory of his accomplishments is fading. Though there always will be a team that is interested in his services, he might have a hard time creating the kind of tug-of-war in which the Chiefs and the Browns would have engaged in 2009, if Cowher had been ready to get back into the game at that time.
Mike Florio writes and edits ProFootballTalk.com and is a regular contributor to Sporting News. Check out PFT for up-to-the minute NFL news.
Bill Cowher has a problem. By waiting to get serious about getting back into the NFL, Cowher has few choices, now that he’s finally ready to return.
Several factors have combined to complicate Cowher’s circumstances. For a variety of reasons (not the least of which is a looming lockout in 2011), head coaches aren’t being fired with the same fervor as in past years. And with Mike Shanahan soon earning north of $10 million to coach the Redskins (not to mention $3.5 million in each of the next two years to not coach the Broncos), Cowher will want at least that much. He also will want full control over the football operations.
So with teams not lining up for the man who won a Super Bowl in 2005, his 14th season with the Steelers, let’s take a look at his for options from 2010, from worst to best.
Multiple reports have emerged linking Cowher to the Buccaneers. But the team reportedly wasn’t interested in paying him more than $6 million per year, and on Tuesday night the team angrily denied Cowher was a candidate for the job.
Though Cowher surely would have received full control over the roster and the draft, the team’s recent unwillingness to break the bank for players would have made it much harder to put together a competitive team, especially in an uncapped year.
So if there were talks, they fell apart quickly — and the Buccaneers decided to love the one they’re with.
Despite the absence of any strong indication that owner Bud Adams is ready to make a change, some believe the time possibly has come for the team and coach Jeff Fisher to part ways.
And that could give Cowher a viable option in the AFC South.
But money and control again would be an issue. Adams would have to fire or neuter GM Mike Reinfeldt, and also would have to pay Cowher that $10 million salary.
Then there’s the fact that anyone who coaches the Titans will have to accept Vince Young as his quarterback.
So while the Titans might end up looking for a head coach, Cowher likely wouldn’t get the money and the power he wants.
It’s clear the Bills would love to have Cowher. But the thinking is he doesn’t want to go there. The presence of a 91-year-old owner and an unsettled succession plan likely are significant factors.
Then there’s the money. It would be difficult if not impossible for the team to cough up eight figures per year, at a time when the Bills are languishing in a market that’s having a tough time properly supporting an NFL franchise.
This one would have been an option — and possibly still could be — if Cowher were willing to let GM Jerry Angelo run the show. But with Cowher wanting control, the Bears would be forced to eat coach Lovie Smith’s contract, and Angelo’s.
Amid reports that coach John Fox will be retained for the final year of his contract but not offered an extension, it’s possible Fox and the Panthers will come to an agreement that creates a vacancy not far from Cowher’s current home.
If that happens, Cowher likely would move to the top of the list. GM Marty Hurney currently is under contract through June, which would make it easy — and cheap — to give Cowher the keys.
Money could be a sticking point, but even if Cowher has to take a little less, the proximity to his residence makes it the best option — if the job becomes available.
If the Carolina job remains filled for 2010, Cowher’s best bet will be to return to CBS for one more year. With Lovie Smith, Fox, and Giants coach Tom Coughlin surely on the hot seat next year, one or more of those jobs could end up being available.
The possibility of a lockout could complicate Cowher’s return, but teams will need to have head coaches in place in the event a new labor deal is negotiated. And Cowher could have a much easier time getting the money and the power he wants by waiting one more year.
But he can’t wait too much longer. With each passing season, the memory of his accomplishments is fading. Though there always will be a team that is interested in his services, he might have a hard time creating the kind of tug-of-war in which the Chiefs and the Browns would have engaged in 2009, if Cowher had been ready to get back into the game at that time.
Mike Florio writes and edits ProFootballTalk.com and is a regular contributor to Sporting News. Check out PFT for up-to-the minute NFL news.
The Hall of Fame will announce its class of 2010 this afternoon. And you can bet Randy Johnson will be among its 2015 inductees. The 10-time All-Star retired Tuesday after an outstanding 22-season career. Where the 6-foot-10 left-hander ranks all-ime in key categories:
Wins: 303 (22nd)
Strikeouts: 4,875 (2nd)
Games started: 601 (21st)
Iinnings pitched: 4,135 1/3 (38th)
Cy Young Awards: 5 (2nd)
The Hall of Fame will announce its class of 2010 this afternoon. And you can bet Randy Johnson will be among its 2015 inductees. The 10-time All-Star retired Tuesday after an outstanding 22-season career. Where the 6-foot-10 left-hander ranks all-ime in key categories:
Wins: 303 (22nd)
Strikeouts: 4,875 (2nd)
Games started: 601 (21st)
Iinnings pitched: 4,135 1/3 (38th)
Cy Young Awards: 5 (2nd)
One intriguing free agent remains on the market, and his destination may be known soon.
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported Tuesday that 21-year-old Cuban left-hander Aroldis Chapman may sign "within the next three or four days." The newspaper reported the Los Angeles Angels and Toronto Blue Jays are the favorites to land him, and that each has offered him about $21 million.
Chapman reportedly has also received offers from the Florida Marlins ($13 million) and the Boston Red Sox ($15 million).
Teams have been eager to scout Chapman ever since he defected from Cuba. He was impressive in a recent workout for scouts in Houston; he reached the mid-90s with his fastball.
One intriguing free agent remains on the market, and his destination may be known soon.
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported Tuesday that 21-year-old Cuban left-hander Aroldis Chapman may sign "within the next three or four days." The newspaper reported the Los Angeles Angels and Toronto Blue Jays are the favorites to land him, and that each has offered him about $21 million.
Chapman reportedly has also received offers from the Florida Marlins ($13 million) and the Boston Red Sox ($15 million).
Teams have been eager to scout Chapman ever since he defected from Cuba. He was impressive in a recent workout for scouts in Houston; he reached the mid-90s with his fastball.
The agent for free-agent third baseman Melvin Mora told The Baltimore Sun that three teams have expressed interest in his client. Two of the teams are from the National League and the third is from the American League, but none of the teams is from the AL. East or NL. East.
It was reported recently that the Rockies had interest in Mora as a utility player, though it is unclear if Colorado is one of the NL teams looking at Mora now. According to his agent, Mora hopes to land with a contender who will give him a decent amount of playing time.
The agent for free-agent third baseman Melvin Mora told The Baltimore Sun that three teams have expressed interest in his client. Two of the teams are from the National League and the third is from the American League, but none of the teams is from the AL. East or NL. East.
It was reported recently that the Rockies had interest in Mora as a utility player, though it is unclear if Colorado is one of the NL teams looking at Mora now. According to his agent, Mora hopes to land with a contender who will give him a decent amount of playing time.