Sporting News staff reports
Erin Andrews is staying at ESPN.
The reporter/anchor tells USA Today’s Michael Hiestand that she has agreed to a new deal with the network. As part of the agreement, she will join the cast of "College GameDay" and be a regular contributor to ABC’s "Good Morning America."
"The biggest reason I wanted to stay was because they’d expand my role," Andrews tells Hiestand. "It’s time for me to try new things. … The hosting stuff is what I’m really looking forward to."
She plans to devote some of her "GMA" time to stories about crimes against women, Hiestand reports. Andrews herself was the victim of a stalker who surreptitiously videotaped her.
Andrews’ future at the network was in some doubt, especially after her stint on ABC’s "Dancing With the Stars." She tells Hiestand she received "lots of offers to work in entertainment" while negotiating a new deal with ESPN.
Sporting News staff reports
Erin Andrews is staying at ESPN.
The reporter/anchor tells USA Today’s Michael Hiestand that she has agreed to a new deal with the network. As part of the agreement, she will join the cast of "College GameDay" and be a regular contributor to ABC’s "Good Morning America."
"The biggest reason I wanted to stay was because they’d expand my role," Andrews tells Hiestand. "It’s time for me to try new things. … The hosting stuff is what I’m really looking forward to."
She plans to devote some of her "GMA" time to stories about crimes against women, Hiestand reports. Andrews herself was the victim of a stalker who surreptitiously videotaped her.
Andrews’ future at the network was in some doubt, especially after her stint on ABC’s "Dancing With the Stars." She tells Hiestand she received "lots of offers to work in entertainment" while negotiating a new deal with ESPN.
Sporting News staff reports
His team unable to get on a roll, Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest is exploring roster moves before the July 31 trading deadline.
"Will we be active? Yes, always, and it’s already starting," Beinfest told reporters Sunday in Arizona before Florida’s game against the Diamondbacks. "The chatter has picked up in the last week. Teams now have a pretty good idea of who they are and what they’re going to be heading into the break."
The Marlins are generally aggressive in making deals, and players such as second baseman Dan Uggla, third baseman Jorge Cantu and right-handers Ricky Nolasco and Leo Nunez frequently are mentioned in rumors. Still, Beinfest is downplaying the idea of wholesale changes.
"We have some people (in the minors) we think are ready that can help if we wanted to tweak, if we wanted to make a trade or two. I don’t think were going to force anything," he was quoted as saying.
Beinfest also pointed out that he wants to maintain a solid core into 2012 when the Marlins open their new stadium.
Mainly, Beinfest remains hopeful his players will finally make a run this year. "We’re not writing off the season," he said. "You can get hot, things can happen — the old Colorado Rockies thing. It’s just been frustrating because we haven’t seen that coming yet and it’s hard to foresee it at this point."
Sporting News staff reports
His team unable to get on a roll, Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest is exploring roster moves before the July 31 trading deadline.
"Will we be active? Yes, always, and it’s already starting," Beinfest told reporters Sunday in Arizona before Florida’s game against the Diamondbacks. "The chatter has picked up in the last week. Teams now have a pretty good idea of who they are and what they’re going to be heading into the break."
The Marlins are generally aggressive in making deals, and players such as second baseman Dan Uggla, third baseman Jorge Cantu and right-handers Ricky Nolasco and Leo Nunez frequently are mentioned in rumors. Still, Beinfest is downplaying the idea of wholesale changes.
"We have some people (in the minors) we think are ready that can help if we wanted to tweak, if we wanted to make a trade or two. I don’t think were going to force anything," he was quoted as saying.
Beinfest also pointed out that he wants to maintain a solid core into 2012 when the Marlins open their new stadium.
Mainly, Beinfest remains hopeful his players will finally make a run this year. "We’re not writing off the season," he said. "You can get hot, things can happen — the old Colorado Rockies thing. It’s just been frustrating because we haven’t seen that coming yet and it’s hard to foresee it at this point."
Sporting News staff reports
Red Sox All-Star DH David Ortiz tells The Boston Globe he wants to stay in Beantown at least another season.
He’s hopeful the team picks up its $12.5 million option (no buyout) on him for 2011. Such a move seemed highly unlikely the first month-plus of this season as Ortiz endured a second consecutive poor start.
Now, after earning berths in the All-Star Game and the Home Run Derby, Ortiz again is thinking long term.
"Hopefully, it gets done," Ortiz told the Globe. "I think I will be here. I may look crazy, but I’m not stupid. I don’t see myself playing nowhere else and that’s important to me."
"I want to stay here in Boston and always have a home here, go back and forth when I do retire. The people here have been good to me and I’ve tried to be good to them."
Red Sox owner John Henry, who backed Ortiz when the slugger was linked to performance-enhancing drugs last year, appears to still be in Big Papi’s corner.
"How could I not support someone who has meant so much to our franchise?" Henry told the Globe in an e-mail.
After batting .143 with one home run in April, Ortiz has put up a .297/.421/.641 line since. He has 17 homers and 53 RBIs over his last 57 games.
Despite the current good feelings, Ortiz remains upset that some believed he no longer could hit.
"I never thought I was finished," Ortiz told the Globe. "But other people, I know they did. I was a dead in their eyes, I saw that."
Ortiz also recounts a testy period between he and manager Terry Francona. Ortiz reacted angrily when he was benched and removed for a pinch hitter during his slump.
"I have seen tons of players in other places who struggle," Ortiz told the Globe. "All you hear is, ‘Oh, he’ll be fine.’ Why couldn’t they say that about Papi? But I understand it. (Francona) was under a lot of pressure and I wasn’t getting it done. That’s a bad combination.
"But we all forgot about one thing. I forgot for a minute who I am and what I’m capable of doing. And because of the pressure he was getting, he forgot about who I was, too. But things went back in place."
Francona knew Ortiz wasn’t his biggest fan at times.
"He was mad at me, he probably was mad at [the media]. There was a lot going on and there wasn’t a lot going right," Francona told the Globe.
Sporting News staff reports
Red Sox All-Star DH David Ortiz tells The Boston Globe he wants to stay in Beantown at least another season.
He’s hopeful the team picks up its $12.5 million option (no buyout) on him for 2011. Such a move seemed highly unlikely the first month-plus of this season as Ortiz endured a second consecutive poor start.
Now, after earning berths in the All-Star Game and the Home Run Derby, Ortiz again is thinking long term.
"Hopefully, it gets done," Ortiz told the Globe. "I think I will be here. I may look crazy, but I’m not stupid. I don’t see myself playing nowhere else and that’s important to me."
"I want to stay here in Boston and always have a home here, go back and forth when I do retire. The people here have been good to me and I’ve tried to be good to them."
Red Sox owner John Henry, who backed Ortiz when the slugger was linked to performance-enhancing drugs last year, appears to still be in Big Papi’s corner.
"How could I not support someone who has meant so much to our franchise?" Henry told the Globe in an e-mail.
After batting .143 with one home run in April, Ortiz has put up a .297/.421/.641 line since. He has 17 homers and 53 RBIs over his last 57 games.
Despite the current good feelings, Ortiz remains upset that some believed he no longer could hit.
"I never thought I was finished," Ortiz told the Globe. "But other people, I know they did. I was a dead in their eyes, I saw that."
Ortiz also recounts a testy period between he and manager Terry Francona. Ortiz reacted angrily when he was benched and removed for a pinch hitter during his slump.
"I have seen tons of players in other places who struggle," Ortiz told the Globe. "All you hear is, ‘Oh, he’ll be fine.’ Why couldn’t they say that about Papi? But I understand it. (Francona) was under a lot of pressure and I wasn’t getting it done. That’s a bad combination.
"But we all forgot about one thing. I forgot for a minute who I am and what I’m capable of doing. And because of the pressure he was getting, he forgot about who I was, too. But things went back in place."
Francona knew Ortiz wasn’t his biggest fan at times.
"He was mad at me, he probably was mad at [the media]. There was a lot going on and there wasn’t a lot going right," Francona told the Globe.
Sporting News staff reports
Cubs general manager Jim Hendry received a tepid vote of confidence from owner Tom Ricketts, the Chicago Tribune reports.
Ricketts, while saying he has the "highest level of confidence" in Hendry, also said, "The fact is right now Jim is our general manager. I support him. I think he does a great job, and we’ll just take it one day at a time."
Ricketts visited the Cubs in Los Angeles on Sunday before heading to Anaheim, Calif., for the All-Star Game.
Hendry and manager Lou Piniella are being criticized for assembling a team that’s mired in the middle of the NL Central, well behind leaders Cincinnati and St. Louis. Ricketts echoed Hendry’s recent support of Piniella, however, and was careful not to point fingers.
"Lou is a great manager, one of the best managers of all time, for God’s sake," Ricketts said. "Obviously the year hasn’t gone like we’d all hoped, but I don’t think the turning point is any one person."
"I’m not going to assign blame to anyone or anything," he said. "The fact is when we came into the season, we had what appeared to be a pretty strong lineup. It hasn’t worked out for whatever reason. Seems like the guys are putting it together now. Let’s just keep on winning."
Ricketts said that before the Cubs were shut out, 7-0, to end the first half.
Sporting News staff reports
Cubs general manager Jim Hendry received a tepid vote of confidence from owner Tom Ricketts, the Chicago Tribune reports.
Ricketts, while saying he has the "highest level of confidence" in Hendry, also said, "The fact is right now Jim is our general manager. I support him. I think he does a great job, and we’ll just take it one day at a time."
Ricketts visited the Cubs in Los Angeles on Sunday before heading to Anaheim, Calif., for the All-Star Game.
Hendry and manager Lou Piniella are being criticized for assembling a team that’s mired in the middle of the NL Central, well behind leaders Cincinnati and St. Louis. Ricketts echoed Hendry’s recent support of Piniella, however, and was careful not to point fingers.
"Lou is a great manager, one of the best managers of all time, for God’s sake," Ricketts said. "Obviously the year hasn’t gone like we’d all hoped, but I don’t think the turning point is any one person."
"I’m not going to assign blame to anyone or anything," he said. "The fact is when we came into the season, we had what appeared to be a pretty strong lineup. It hasn’t worked out for whatever reason. Seems like the guys are putting it together now. Let’s just keep on winning."
Ricketts said that before the Cubs were shut out, 7-0, to end the first half.
Sporting News staff reports
Bronson Arroyo wants to stay with the Reds beyond this season, but he won’t do it at a hometown discount.
"I gave a team a discount one time and they burned me," he told the Cincinnati Enquirer, referring to the three-year year deal he signed with the Red Sox in January 2006. Boston traded him to the Reds two months later.
"I got to look out for me," he said.
Cincinnati holds an $11 million club option for 2011 (with a $2 million buyouy) on Arroyo, but the Enquirer speculated the club might want to move Arroyo by the July 31 nonwaiver trading deadline if he isn’t willing to sign a more club-friendly extension.
"This is probably the last chance I’ll get to sign a good multiyear deal," Arroyo, 33, told the Enquirer.
Arroyo cites his durability and consistency as reasons why he shouldn’t sell himself short.
"For what I’ve done the last six years in this game," he said, "to sign back for less than what my option is would be insane."
Arroyo is on pace for a sixth consecutive season of at least 200 innings pitched. Since the start of the 2005 season, he is 76-64 with a 4.09 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP.
Sporting News staff reports
Bronson Arroyo wants to stay with the Reds beyond this season, but he won’t do it at a hometown discount.
"I gave a team a discount one time and they burned me," he told the Cincinnati Enquirer, referring to the three-year year deal he signed with the Red Sox in January 2006. Boston traded him to the Reds two months later.
"I got to look out for me," he said.
Cincinnati holds an $11 million club option for 2011 (with a $2 million buyouy) on Arroyo, but the Enquirer speculated the club might want to move Arroyo by the July 31 nonwaiver trading deadline if he isn’t willing to sign a more club-friendly extension.
"This is probably the last chance I’ll get to sign a good multiyear deal," Arroyo, 33, told the Enquirer.
Arroyo cites his durability and consistency as reasons why he shouldn’t sell himself short.
"For what I’ve done the last six years in this game," he said, "to sign back for less than what my option is would be insane."
Arroyo is on pace for a sixth consecutive season of at least 200 innings pitched. Since the start of the 2005 season, he is 76-64 with a 4.09 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP.
Kent Somers, Sporting News correspondent
This is the 29th in a series of team-by-team breakdowns that will run on SportingNews.com before the start of training camp.
Thanks to an old quarterback, a new coach and some blue-chip draft picks, the Cardinals spent the past three seasons distancing themselves from their futile past and proving that no NFL team is too far away from winning.
The Cardinals defense will be a main concern for coach Ken Whisenhunt this season.
Back-to-back NFC West titles earned coach Ken Whisenhunt a contract extension, but there are changes everywhere else. Three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Anquan Boldin was traded, and free safety Antrel Rolle (Giants) and inside linebacker Karlos Dansby (Dolphins) signed big-money contracts in free agency.
Oh, and the old quarterback, Kurt Warner, retired, handing the job to Matt Leinart. And though Leinart, the 2004 Heisman Trophy winner, will be the feature story of ’10, the performance of the defense could have more of an impact on the overall record.
What’s new
Offense: Arizona’s offense finally should resemble the one everyone thought Whisenhunt would bring three years ago. While Whisenhunt isn’t afraid of the pass, this club should feature a power running attack with two physical runners, a huge line and big play-action schemes.
Leinart’s inaccuracy sometimes plagues him, but he played well in his only ’09 start and the Cardinals hope that’s a true indication of his ability. Steve Breaston is a proven replacement for Boldin and more of a big-play threat. Breaston has speed and, despite a thin frame, runs well after the catch. Boldin’s impact will actually be felt most down the depth chart. Early Doucet moves up to the third wideout role.
The offensive line is being overhauled, too. Former Steeler and Jet Alan Faneca will play left guard with Reggie Wells possibly moving to right guard or right tackle. Levi Brown has moved from right tackle to left tackle, replacing Mike Gandy. If Wells stays at guard, Brandon Keith and veteran Jeremy Bridges will compete for the job at right tackle.
Defense: The linebacker unit is the team’s biggest concern, despite having three of the four starting positions manned by veterans. Joey Porter and Clark Haggans, both 33, will start at outside linebacker, just as they once did with the Steelers. The Cardinals signed Porter, who had nine sacks for the Dolphins last year, with the hope he can provide the one-on-one pass rush they’ve lacked.
The bigger problem is replacing Dansby at inside linebacker. Arizona signed Paris Lenon, but he spent time with the Lions and Rams the past few years and neither team decided to re-sign him. Coaches hope second-round pick Daryl Washington can at least contribute in passing situations.
The question along the line is at nose tackle. First-round pick Dan Williams will be given every chance to start because Gabe Watson has been hampered by injuries and Alan Branch has moved to end. Kerry Rhodes, obtained in a trade with the Jets, takes over for Rolle at free safety. Rhodes might be better in coverage than Rolle but will be hard-pressed to match Rolle’s toughness.
Breakout player
Greg Toler, CB. Toler spent his rookie season making the transition from Division II Saint Paul’s College. He has all the tools to be an above-average corner, and the Cardinals are looking for a reliable starter opposite Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Toler (6-0, 191) has decent size and good speed.
"I’ve got 100 percent confidence in Greg. He reminds me of myself, coming from a small school and having to fight a lot of the talk that small-school guys can’t compete. But Greg does compete. I love his speed and ability to break on the ball. He loves to hit, too. He has all the potential."
— Rodgers-Cromartie
Opponent’s view
(An anonymous opponent breaks down the Cardinals)
"You have to replace a top-echelon quarterback; that’s the biggest weakness. That’s awfully hard, no matter who is coming in after that. I think Beanie Wells, if he’s allowed to have an impact on the ballgame, can wear you down. He’s a big, fast, explosive guy who can go straight downhill. But his history says he will get hurt. He’ll need help, and the other guy (Tim Hightower) is really similar. They can use those guys to crush people, and Matt has always been a great play-action passer. They did a good job of setting things up this way. …
"On defense, they lost two playmakers in Dansby and Rolle. Karlos was a leader and he could go sideline-to-sideline. With Antrel, you lose another guy you could count on; he was going to make three plays a game. Now you find yourself asking, ‘Who is going to make those plays?’ "
Bottom line
Anyone expecting Leinart to meet the standard set the past two seasons by Warner is unrealistic. With Leinart, the Cardinals will rely on the run and use play-action passes more often. Most of the offseason focus was on the QB change, but the season will be determined by the defense. The unit collapsed at the end of ’09, mostly because of a lack of depth and lack of a pass rush.
Depth chart
Offense
QB: Matt Leinart, Derek Anderson
FB: Nehemiah Broughton, Reagan Mauia
RB: Beanie Wells, Tim Hightower
WR: Larry Fitzgerald, Onrea Jones
WR: Steve Breaston, Early Doucet
TE: Ben Patrick, Anthony Becht
LT: Levi Brown, Jeremy Bridges
LG: Alan Faneca, Reggie Wells,
C: Lyle Sendlein, Rex Hadnot
RG: Reggie Wells, Deuce Lutui
RT: Brandon Keith, Jeremy Bridges
Defense
DE: Darnell Dockett, Kenny Iwebema
NT: Dan Williams, Bryan Robinson
DE: Calais Campbell, Kenny Iwebema
OLB: Clark Haggans, Cody Brown
ILB: Gerald Hayes, Reggie Walker
ILB: Paris Lenon, Daryl Washington
OLB: Joey Porter, Will Davis
CB: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Michael Adams
CB: Greg Toler, Michael Adams
SS: Adrian Wilson, Matt Ware
FS: Kerry Rhodes, Rashad Johnson
Specialists
K: Jay Feely
P: Ben Graham
KR: LaRod Stephens-Howling
PR: Steve Breaston
LS: Mike Leach
Kent Somers, Sporting News correspondent
This is the 29th in a series of team-by-team breakdowns that will run on SportingNews.com before the start of training camp.
Thanks to an old quarterback, a new coach and some blue-chip draft picks, the Cardinals spent the past three seasons distancing themselves from their futile past and proving that no NFL team is too far away from winning.
The Cardinals defense will be a main concern for coach Ken Whisenhunt this season.
Back-to-back NFC West titles earned coach Ken Whisenhunt a contract extension, but there are changes everywhere else. Three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Anquan Boldin was traded, and free safety Antrel Rolle (Giants) and inside linebacker Karlos Dansby (Dolphins) signed big-money contracts in free agency.
Oh, and the old quarterback, Kurt Warner, retired, handing the job to Matt Leinart. And though Leinart, the 2004 Heisman Trophy winner, will be the feature story of ’10, the performance of the defense could have more of an impact on the overall record.
What’s new
Offense: Arizona’s offense finally should resemble the one everyone thought Whisenhunt would bring three years ago. While Whisenhunt isn’t afraid of the pass, this club should feature a power running attack with two physical runners, a huge line and big play-action schemes.
Leinart’s inaccuracy sometimes plagues him, but he played well in his only ’09 start and the Cardinals hope that’s a true indication of his ability. Steve Breaston is a proven replacement for Boldin and more of a big-play threat. Breaston has speed and, despite a thin frame, runs well after the catch. Boldin’s impact will actually be felt most down the depth chart. Early Doucet moves up to the third wideout role.
The offensive line is being overhauled, too. Former Steeler and Jet Alan Faneca will play left guard with Reggie Wells possibly moving to right guard or right tackle. Levi Brown has moved from right tackle to left tackle, replacing Mike Gandy. If Wells stays at guard, Brandon Keith and veteran Jeremy Bridges will compete for the job at right tackle.
Defense: The linebacker unit is the team’s biggest concern, despite having three of the four starting positions manned by veterans. Joey Porter and Clark Haggans, both 33, will start at outside linebacker, just as they once did with the Steelers. The Cardinals signed Porter, who had nine sacks for the Dolphins last year, with the hope he can provide the one-on-one pass rush they’ve lacked.
The bigger problem is replacing Dansby at inside linebacker. Arizona signed Paris Lenon, but he spent time with the Lions and Rams the past few years and neither team decided to re-sign him. Coaches hope second-round pick Daryl Washington can at least contribute in passing situations.
The question along the line is at nose tackle. First-round pick Dan Williams will be given every chance to start because Gabe Watson has been hampered by injuries and Alan Branch has moved to end. Kerry Rhodes, obtained in a trade with the Jets, takes over for Rolle at free safety. Rhodes might be better in coverage than Rolle but will be hard-pressed to match Rolle’s toughness.
Breakout player
Greg Toler, CB. Toler spent his rookie season making the transition from Division II Saint Paul’s College. He has all the tools to be an above-average corner, and the Cardinals are looking for a reliable starter opposite Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Toler (6-0, 191) has decent size and good speed.
"I’ve got 100 percent confidence in Greg. He reminds me of myself, coming from a small school and having to fight a lot of the talk that small-school guys can’t compete. But Greg does compete. I love his speed and ability to break on the ball. He loves to hit, too. He has all the potential."
— Rodgers-Cromartie
Opponent’s view
(An anonymous opponent breaks down the Cardinals)
"You have to replace a top-echelon quarterback; that’s the biggest weakness. That’s awfully hard, no matter who is coming in after that. I think Beanie Wells, if he’s allowed to have an impact on the ballgame, can wear you down. He’s a big, fast, explosive guy who can go straight downhill. But his history says he will get hurt. He’ll need help, and the other guy (Tim Hightower) is really similar. They can use those guys to crush people, and Matt has always been a great play-action passer. They did a good job of setting things up this way. …
"On defense, they lost two playmakers in Dansby and Rolle. Karlos was a leader and he could go sideline-to-sideline. With Antrel, you lose another guy you could count on; he was going to make three plays a game. Now you find yourself asking, ‘Who is going to make those plays?’ "
Bottom line
Anyone expecting Leinart to meet the standard set the past two seasons by Warner is unrealistic. With Leinart, the Cardinals will rely on the run and use play-action passes more often. Most of the offseason focus was on the QB change, but the season will be determined by the defense. The unit collapsed at the end of ’09, mostly because of a lack of depth and lack of a pass rush.
Depth chart
Offense
QB: Matt Leinart, Derek Anderson
FB: Nehemiah Broughton, Reagan Mauia
RB: Beanie Wells, Tim Hightower
WR: Larry Fitzgerald, Onrea Jones
WR: Steve Breaston, Early Doucet
TE: Ben Patrick, Anthony Becht
LT: Levi Brown, Jeremy Bridges
LG: Alan Faneca, Reggie Wells,
C: Lyle Sendlein, Rex Hadnot
RG: Reggie Wells, Deuce Lutui
RT: Brandon Keith, Jeremy Bridges
Defense
DE: Darnell Dockett, Kenny Iwebema
NT: Dan Williams, Bryan Robinson
DE: Calais Campbell, Kenny Iwebema
OLB: Clark Haggans, Cody Brown
ILB: Gerald Hayes, Reggie Walker
ILB: Paris Lenon, Daryl Washington
OLB: Joey Porter, Will Davis
CB: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Michael Adams
CB: Greg Toler, Michael Adams
SS: Adrian Wilson, Matt Ware
FS: Kerry Rhodes, Rashad Johnson
Specialists
K: Jay Feely
P: Ben Graham
KR: LaRod Stephens-Howling
PR: Steve Breaston
LS: Mike Leach
Sporting News staff reports
The Baltimore Orioles have settled on ESPN analyst Buck Showalter to be their new manager, FOX Sports.com’s Ken Rosenthal reports.
Rosenthal, via his Twitter account, reports the sides are close on terms and Showalter will be in uniform sometime after the All-Star break. The move won’t be made official until later this week, Rosenthal reports, because Major League Baseball discourages teams from making major announcements during the sport’s showcase events.
The Baltimore Sun’s Dan Connolly, citing a source with knowledge of the situation, reports the Orioles have yet to make an offer to Showalter and that interim manager Juan Samuel will manage the team Friday in its first game after the break.
Showalter was one of the favorites to become the O’s next full-time skipper. His chances improved greatly when Bobby Valentine pulled out of the running to pursue the Florida Marlins’ managerial post.
Other candidates included former Indians manager Eric Wedge and former Orioles catcher Rick Dempsey, now a televison analyst for the club.
The Orioles own the worst record in baseball (29-59). Team president Andy MacPhail fired Dave Trembley on June 4 and replaced him on an interim basis with Samuel. Baltimore is 14-20 under Samuel after completing a four-game road sweep of the Texas Rangers.
Showalter has an 882-833 record in 11 seasons as a major league manager with the New York Yankees, Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers. He is a two-time AL Manager of the Year and has reached the postseason twice (1995 Yankees, 1999 Diamondbacks).
Sporting News staff reports
The Baltimore Orioles have settled on ESPN analyst Buck Showalter to be their new manager, FOX Sports.com’s Ken Rosenthal reports.
Rosenthal, via his Twitter account, reports the sides are close on terms and Showalter will be in uniform sometime after the All-Star break. The move won’t be made official until later this week, Rosenthal reports, because Major League Baseball discourages teams from making major announcements during the sport’s showcase events.
The Baltimore Sun’s Dan Connolly, citing a source with knowledge of the situation, reports the Orioles have yet to make an offer to Showalter and that interim manager Juan Samuel will manage the team Friday in its first game after the break.
Showalter was one of the favorites to become the O’s next full-time skipper. His chances improved greatly when Bobby Valentine pulled out of the running to pursue the Florida Marlins’ managerial post.
Other candidates included former Indians manager Eric Wedge and former Orioles catcher Rick Dempsey, now a televison analyst for the club.
The Orioles own the worst record in baseball (29-59). Team president Andy MacPhail fired Dave Trembley on June 4 and replaced him on an interim basis with Samuel. Baltimore is 14-20 under Samuel after completing a four-game road sweep of the Texas Rangers.
Showalter has an 882-833 record in 11 seasons as a major league manager with the New York Yankees, Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers. He is a two-time AL Manager of the Year and has reached the postseason twice (1995 Yankees, 1999 Diamondbacks).
Sporting News staff reports
St. Louis Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. says Albert Pujols is untouchable, even though the club and its slugging first baseman have yet to agree on a contract extension.
During a lengthy Q&A with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, DeWitt was asked if the slow-moving talks, as well as Pujols’ acquiring veto rights after the season, would prompt the club to explore a trade before the July 31 nonwaiver deadline.
"That’s one of the easiest decisions we’ve ever had to make. Would we ever contemplate trading Albert: absolutely not," DeWitt told the Post’s Joe Strauss. "It’s not even a consideration. The consideration is that he’s got one more year left on his contract beyond the current season (the Cardinals hold a $16 million club option for 2011). There were some brief conversations (about a contract) during spring training, and it was eventually agreed upon that it wasn’t appropriate to carry talks into this season."
DeWitt sees the next few months as a prime time for resuming talks.
"I think the word that applies to the upcoming offseason is ‘optimal.’ That’s the best time for us to negotiate something to keep Albert in town for a long time," DeWitt said. "Those negotiations aren’t easy for a player of Albert’s stature. It remains to be seen what we can do. But we’ll make every effort to see where it goes. I don’t have a crystal ball to say if it can get done in 24 hours or if we would go the entire winter without getting something done. It’s tough. The market can change in either direction."
Pujols was at the center of a well-traveled trade rumor last March. Reports surfaced that the Phillies talked internally about exploring a swap of first baseman Ryan Howard for Pujols. That was about a month before Howard agreed to a five-year, $125 million contract extension. Pujols’ representative, Dan Lozano, indicated after Howard’s signing that the contract would not be used as a baseline for future talks about Pujols.
Sporting News staff reports
St. Louis Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. says Albert Pujols is untouchable, even though the club and its slugging first baseman have yet to agree on a contract extension.
During a lengthy Q&A with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, DeWitt was asked if the slow-moving talks, as well as Pujols’ acquiring veto rights after the season, would prompt the club to explore a trade before the July 31 nonwaiver deadline.
"That’s one of the easiest decisions we’ve ever had to make. Would we ever contemplate trading Albert: absolutely not," DeWitt told the Post’s Joe Strauss. "It’s not even a consideration. The consideration is that he’s got one more year left on his contract beyond the current season (the Cardinals hold a $16 million club option for 2011). There were some brief conversations (about a contract) during spring training, and it was eventually agreed upon that it wasn’t appropriate to carry talks into this season."
DeWitt sees the next few months as a prime time for resuming talks.
"I think the word that applies to the upcoming offseason is ‘optimal.’ That’s the best time for us to negotiate something to keep Albert in town for a long time," DeWitt said. "Those negotiations aren’t easy for a player of Albert’s stature. It remains to be seen what we can do. But we’ll make every effort to see where it goes. I don’t have a crystal ball to say if it can get done in 24 hours or if we would go the entire winter without getting something done. It’s tough. The market can change in either direction."
Pujols was at the center of a well-traveled trade rumor last March. Reports surfaced that the Phillies talked internally about exploring a swap of first baseman Ryan Howard for Pujols. That was about a month before Howard agreed to a five-year, $125 million contract extension. Pujols’ representative, Dan Lozano, indicated after Howard’s signing that the contract would not be used as a baseline for future talks about Pujols.
Chris Bahr, Sporting News
What to expect in the major leagues today:
Out, in, out
First, he wasn’t an All-Star. Then, he was (as the replacement for the Yankees’ CC Sabathia). But when he steps on the mound this afternoon in Oakland, Angels right-hander Jered Weaver will forfeit his chance to pitch in Tuesday’s midsummer classic in his home park. Because he won’t be rested to pitch again so quickly, Weaver will be replaced on the roster.
Jered Weaver has All-Star numbers, but lousy timing will keep him from playing in the game.
Sponsored link: Athletics tickets available
Regardless, Weaver has put together an All-Star-caliber first half. He should go into the break with the major league lead in strikeouts, and he also ranks among the AL leaders with a 2.97 ERA and 1.07 WHIP. The last time Weaver started in Oakland, however, he allowed six earned runs and a season-high 12 hits in a loss.
Royal revival
This past week, Royals manager Ned Yost told the Kansas City Star that his team isn’t out of the AL Central race. Given the White Sox’s amazing turnaround earlier this season and the Royals’ improved play recently, perhaps Yost’s comments shouldn’t be dismissed.
This afternoon, Kansas City will wrap up a three-game series at U.S. Cellular Field against Chicago. Zack Greinke, who beat the White Sox on June 30 despite allowing six earned runs in eight innings, will be on the mound for the Royals. Rookie Daniel Hudson, replacing the injured Jake Peavy in Chicago’s rotation, is expected to make his first start of the season this afternoon.
So long, legends?
In the final game—it’s the Sunday night matchup—of the first half of the major league season, the Dodgers will host the Cubs. With Cubs manager Lou Piniella and Dodgers manager Joe Torre both in the last year of their contracts, this also could be the final time they manage against each other (Chicago and Los Angeles won’t play again this season, barring a playoff matchup).
Chris Bahr is Sporting News’ baseball editor. E-mail him at cbahr@sportingnews.com.
Chris Bahr, Sporting News
What to expect in the major leagues today:
Out, in, out
First, he wasn’t an All-Star. Then, he was (as the replacement for the Yankees’ CC Sabathia). But when he steps on the mound this afternoon in Oakland, Angels right-hander Jered Weaver will forfeit his chance to pitch in Tuesday’s midsummer classic in his home park. Because he won’t be rested to pitch again so quickly, Weaver will be replaced on the roster.
Jered Weaver has All-Star numbers, but lousy timing will keep him from playing in the game.
Sponsored link: Athletics tickets available
Regardless, Weaver has put together an All-Star-caliber first half. He should go into the break with the major league lead in strikeouts, and he also ranks among the AL leaders with a 2.97 ERA and 1.07 WHIP. The last time Weaver started in Oakland, however, he allowed six earned runs and a season-high 12 hits in a loss.
Royal revival
This past week, Royals manager Ned Yost told the Kansas City Star that his team isn’t out of the AL Central race. Given the White Sox’s amazing turnaround earlier this season and the Royals’ improved play recently, perhaps Yost’s comments shouldn’t be dismissed.
This afternoon, Kansas City will wrap up a three-game series at U.S. Cellular Field against Chicago. Zack Greinke, who beat the White Sox on June 30 despite allowing six earned runs in eight innings, will be on the mound for the Royals. Rookie Daniel Hudson, replacing the injured Jake Peavy in Chicago’s rotation, is expected to make his first start of the season this afternoon.
So long, legends?
In the final game—it’s the Sunday night matchup—of the first half of the major league season, the Dodgers will host the Cubs. With Cubs manager Lou Piniella and Dodgers manager Joe Torre both in the last year of their contracts, this also could be the final time they manage against each other (Chicago and Los Angeles won’t play again this season, barring a playoff matchup).
Chris Bahr is Sporting News’ baseball editor. E-mail him at cbahr@sportingnews.com.
Sporting News staff reports
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has joined a group that will bid on the bankrupt Texas Rangers, the New York Post reports.
The Post, citing an unnamed source close to the situation, reports Cuban has joined with former player agent Dennis Gilbert and Texas businessman Jeff Beck. A bankruptcy judge has scheduled a July 22 auction for the franchise.
Cuban did not return an e-mail for comment, the Post reports. Gilbert was among the first people to make a play for the Rangers when Tom Hicks put them up for sale.
A group led by former Pittsburgh attorney Chuck Greenberg and Rangers president Nolan Ryan is favored to land the club. Greenberg’s group offered $575 million to buy the Rangers and the club’s parking facilities after the Rangers declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May. Lenders, though, have helped stall the deal, expressing concerns over $525 million in loan defaults by Hicks’ ownership group. Creditors also argued that the Greenberg-Ryan bid of $575 million wasn’t the highest and urged the bankruptcy judge to reopen the bidding process.
Cuban tried to buy the bankrupt Chicago Cubs in 2008 and reportedly made the highest bid, but MLB instead chose Tom Ricketts. As in the Cubs’ case, MLB has the right to set sale terms and approve the Rangers’ buyer.
Sporting News staff reports
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has joined a group that will bid on the bankrupt Texas Rangers, the New York Post reports.
The Post, citing an unnamed source close to the situation, reports Cuban has joined with former player agent Dennis Gilbert and Texas businessman Jeff Beck. A bankruptcy judge has scheduled a July 22 auction for the franchise.
Cuban did not return an e-mail for comment, the Post reports. Gilbert was among the first people to make a play for the Rangers when Tom Hicks put them up for sale.
A group led by former Pittsburgh attorney Chuck Greenberg and Rangers president Nolan Ryan is favored to land the club. Greenberg’s group offered $575 million to buy the Rangers and the club’s parking facilities after the Rangers declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May. Lenders, though, have helped stall the deal, expressing concerns over $525 million in loan defaults by Hicks’ ownership group. Creditors also argued that the Greenberg-Ryan bid of $575 million wasn’t the highest and urged the bankruptcy judge to reopen the bidding process.
Cuban tried to buy the bankrupt Chicago Cubs in 2008 and reportedly made the highest bid, but MLB instead chose Tom Ricketts. As in the Cubs’ case, MLB has the right to set sale terms and approve the Rangers’ buyer.
