Mike Triplett and Gene Chamberlain, For Sporting News
First impressions from around the NFL after the news broke that Vikings QB Brett Favre reportedly will retire rather than return for a 20th NFL season:
"I don’t believe anything until it’s official."
— Saints QB Drew Brees
Nick Barnett says he’s prepared to either play Brett Favre hard or congratulate him.
"It’s like believing in Santa Claus. You get gifts, but you ain’t seen Santa Claus. We’ll see what happens … If he does retire, congratulations. It’s a well-deserved retirement. But if he does come back, we’ll be gunning for him the same way."
— Packers ILB Nick Barnett
"Are you serious? I don’t care. He hasn’t been here for two years."
— Jets C Nick Mangold
"I hope he doesn’t come back. I mean, he had a great career. But he’s our opponent now, and it’ll benefit us if he doesn’t come back. But if he does I wish him all the luck."
— Bears RB Chester Taylor
"There’s a lot of time between now and Sept. 9. … Has there ever been a final chapter (with Favre)? We haven’t seen a final chapter yet in that book. It’s still ongoing. Even in the middle of the season, it could still be an ongoing thing."
— Saints S Darren Sharper on the Saints-Vikings season opener
"If it is (true), then we were lucky enough to watch an unbelievable talent and great guy. But it’s better to go the year before than a year too late."
— Cowboys QB Tony Romo
"They have a great running game. Their receivers stepped up last year, especially Sidney Rice. You look at their defense: They still have all the parts. They still may be looked at as the favorites in the conference without Brett Favre. I don’t think it drops them down the rung too much."
— Bears TE Desmond Clark
"I haven’t seen the film where he’s said it … and we’ve also seen the film where he’s said it and he came back. So hey, let’s see. If he’s not there Thursday night (Sept. 9), that’s when I’ll believe it."
— Saints DE Alex Brown
"I’m just worried about our team right now. Obviously, if he’s playing, his presence on the field, you have to account for. If he’s not, you have to prepare for who’s playing in his place."
— Saints coach Sean Payton
"As a defense, we got after them and they got after us. It was a great game, and the main thing was we came out with a win and went to the Super Bowl. You take pride in tough divisional games like that, to reach your goal."
— Saints DE Bobby McCray said of the NFC championship game vs. the Vikings
"If this is it, and he does hang it up, it will definitely be a loss to the NFL. We’ll be losing a really, really great player and a legend to this sport."
— Saints DE Alex Brown
"I won’t believe it until I see Tarvaris Jackson starting against us. If he’s starting, we’ll go from there. Either way, we’ve still got a job to do."
— Bears OLB Lance Briggs
"He’s definitely a guy that is walking away from the game that is going to be missed. He’s established that he’s a future Hall of Famer. He’s one of the big names from the league that’s going to be missed."
— Falcons OLB Mike Peterson
"I just caught wind of it. That’s a Minnesota Vikings situation that they’ve got to address. I’m excited about our special teams practice today."
— Falcons coach Mike Smith
"You never know that’s going to happen. Who knows if that’s legit or what. Until you actually go through a season, you never know that’s going to happen."
— Packers RT Mark Tauscher
"I will not believe anything about him retiring until I see on that first day that he’s not playing. Brett’s a great competitor and it’s always hard for him to give it up. He always weighs his decisions back and forth, but he has always come back. Until I see him not out there, then that’s when I’ll believe that. … We’ve got a tough road ahead of us regardless of whether he’s with Minnesota or not. They’re a great team."
— Packers DE Cullen Jenkins
"Do I believe it? I don’t even know if I care enough to believe it or not, to be honest. It’s his career; he’s got to do what he’s got to do. But it doesn’t change anything for us. We’re going to have the same goal whether it’s Tarvaris (Jackson), Jeffrey Dahmer or Norman Bates quarterbacking."
— Packers ILB Nick Barnett
"I can’t think about another team and what they’re doing at camp and things of that nature. I know Brett on a personal level, so I’m happy for him, but we’re worried about us getting better out there. Minnesota’s going to be a good ballclub."
— Cowboys QB Tony Romo
"I’m sure he’s probably thought about that and is tired of playing that game, but I’m still going to hold off on making judgment until the end of camp or the end of the season. He might have that itch again."
— Cowboys TE Jason Witten
"It’s like Groundhog Day for him. They’ve still got what, a month left in training camp? Give him about a week and a half. He’ll change his mind."
— Cowboys WR Patrick Crayton
Sporting News correspondents Mike Triplett, J.P. Pelzman, Gene Chamberlain, D. Orlando Ledbetter, Tom Silverstein, Jean-Jacques Taylor plus The Associated Press contributed.
Mike Triplett and Gene Chamberlain, For Sporting News
First impressions from around the NFL after the news broke that Vikings QB Brett Favre reportedly will retire rather than return for a 20th NFL season:
"I don’t believe anything until it’s official."
— Saints QB Drew Brees
Nick Barnett says he’s prepared to either play Brett Favre hard or congratulate him.
"It’s like believing in Santa Claus. You get gifts, but you ain’t seen Santa Claus. We’ll see what happens … If he does retire, congratulations. It’s a well-deserved retirement. But if he does come back, we’ll be gunning for him the same way."
— Packers ILB Nick Barnett
"Are you serious? I don’t care. He hasn’t been here for two years."
— Jets C Nick Mangold
"I hope he doesn’t come back. I mean, he had a great career. But he’s our opponent now, and it’ll benefit us if he doesn’t come back. But if he does I wish him all the luck."
— Bears RB Chester Taylor
"There’s a lot of time between now and Sept. 9. … Has there ever been a final chapter (with Favre)? We haven’t seen a final chapter yet in that book. It’s still ongoing. Even in the middle of the season, it could still be an ongoing thing."
— Saints S Darren Sharper on the Saints-Vikings season opener
"If it is (true), then we were lucky enough to watch an unbelievable talent and great guy. But it’s better to go the year before than a year too late."
— Cowboys QB Tony Romo
"They have a great running game. Their receivers stepped up last year, especially Sidney Rice. You look at their defense: They still have all the parts. They still may be looked at as the favorites in the conference without Brett Favre. I don’t think it drops them down the rung too much."
— Bears TE Desmond Clark
"I haven’t seen the film where he’s said it … and we’ve also seen the film where he’s said it and he came back. So hey, let’s see. If he’s not there Thursday night (Sept. 9), that’s when I’ll believe it."
— Saints DE Alex Brown
"I’m just worried about our team right now. Obviously, if he’s playing, his presence on the field, you have to account for. If he’s not, you have to prepare for who’s playing in his place."
— Saints coach Sean Payton
"As a defense, we got after them and they got after us. It was a great game, and the main thing was we came out with a win and went to the Super Bowl. You take pride in tough divisional games like that, to reach your goal."
— Saints DE Bobby McCray said of the NFC championship game vs. the Vikings
"If this is it, and he does hang it up, it will definitely be a loss to the NFL. We’ll be losing a really, really great player and a legend to this sport."
— Saints DE Alex Brown
"I won’t believe it until I see Tarvaris Jackson starting against us. If he’s starting, we’ll go from there. Either way, we’ve still got a job to do."
— Bears OLB Lance Briggs
"He’s definitely a guy that is walking away from the game that is going to be missed. He’s established that he’s a future Hall of Famer. He’s one of the big names from the league that’s going to be missed."
— Falcons OLB Mike Peterson
"I just caught wind of it. That’s a Minnesota Vikings situation that they’ve got to address. I’m excited about our special teams practice today."
— Falcons coach Mike Smith
"You never know that’s going to happen. Who knows if that’s legit or what. Until you actually go through a season, you never know that’s going to happen."
— Packers RT Mark Tauscher
"I will not believe anything about him retiring until I see on that first day that he’s not playing. Brett’s a great competitor and it’s always hard for him to give it up. He always weighs his decisions back and forth, but he has always come back. Until I see him not out there, then that’s when I’ll believe that. … We’ve got a tough road ahead of us regardless of whether he’s with Minnesota or not. They’re a great team."
— Packers DE Cullen Jenkins
"Do I believe it? I don’t even know if I care enough to believe it or not, to be honest. It’s his career; he’s got to do what he’s got to do. But it doesn’t change anything for us. We’re going to have the same goal whether it’s Tarvaris (Jackson), Jeffrey Dahmer or Norman Bates quarterbacking."
— Packers ILB Nick Barnett
"I can’t think about another team and what they’re doing at camp and things of that nature. I know Brett on a personal level, so I’m happy for him, but we’re worried about us getting better out there. Minnesota’s going to be a good ballclub."
— Cowboys QB Tony Romo
"I’m sure he’s probably thought about that and is tired of playing that game, but I’m still going to hold off on making judgment until the end of camp or the end of the season. He might have that itch again."
— Cowboys TE Jason Witten
"It’s like Groundhog Day for him. They’ve still got what, a month left in training camp? Give him about a week and a half. He’ll change his mind."
— Cowboys WR Patrick Crayton
Sporting News correspondents Mike Triplett, J.P. Pelzman, Gene Chamberlain, D. Orlando Ledbetter, Tom Silverstein, Jean-Jacques Taylor plus The Associated Press contributed.
Mark Craig, For Sporting News
MANKATO, Minn.—First impressions from Vikings training camp Tuesday after the news broke that Vikings QB Brett Favre reportedly will retire rather than return for a 20th NFL season:
"I’m not a big hearsay person. I gotta hear it from the horse’s mouth."
— Coach Brad Childress
Jared Allen says he’d love to have Brett Favre back, but camp is too hard to think about anything else.
"I love Brett and he reserves the right to do anything he wants to do. We’d obviously love to have him as a teammate. We’d love to have him back. But until it’s official … I’ll believe it when I see it. Right now, we’re just going to focus on the guys we have here–just like we did last year, just like we did the year before. Camp is too hard to think about everything else that’s going on."
— DE Jared Allen
"You never know the situation. You really can’t think about whether he’s coming or not. You just have to take care of your part in case he does or in case he doesn’t. You can do the best you can. That’s all you can do. … Brett’s a great guy. I don’t want to take anything away from him. He’s a Hall of Fame quarterback. I learned a lot from him last year. Hopefully, if I get my chance this year, I can just keep going. … I just want to keep my same focus and continue doing what I’m doing."
— QB Tarvaris Jackson
"I heard something about it. I hope it’s not the case. I didn’t hear anything from him. So now, I have no comment on it. It’s all rumors to me."
— TE Visanthe Shiancoe
"As far as we know, it’s the same thing. We haven’t heard anything. He doesn’t call me. I do know we’re here working and trying to get better."
— DT Kevin Williams
"I just found out about it two seconds ago. Coaches told us there were some rumors swirling around. Sounds like that’s all it is. I really have nothing to say other than speculation right now. Nothing really has happened. We can’t speculate on ‘What if?’ All we can concentrate on are the guys who are here. That’s all we can do."
— LB Ben Leber
"I hope to see him in a couple of weeks, but I mean the sun is going to rise tomorrow and we’re going to have football, whether Brett is here or not. We want him back, but 20 years, he deserves the right to do what he wants with it. Obviously, timing issues will be a factor, whether he’s coming or not. But right now we have Tarvaris (Jackson) and Sage (Rosenfels) working. Everybody else is working. We played football without him once before. If we have to do it again, we’ll do it again."
— DE Jared Allen
"I don’t have a reaction. I haven’t talked to Brett. I’ll try to give him a call today. I’d rather here it from the horse’s mouth than you guys (in the media). I really need to talk to him first."
— QB Sage Rosenfels
"Football is the ultimate team game. Brett played great last year. Whoever plays quarterback this year will have to play great. Quarterbacks always have to play great for a team to be successful. So whoever is in there is going to have to play great football."
— QB Sage Rosenfels
"It’s been three years now being asked Brett Favre questions. It’s kind of a part of my life now. I actually might miss it. It’s his decision. I’ll just come out here and try to get better."
— QB Tarvaris Jackson
"Hopefully (confidence) is high. I believe in my teammates. Hopefully, they believe in me. I want to come out here every day and work hard to try and get better. When the season starts and if I’m the guy I’ll be in there working hard each week, every day trying to be that guy who helps get the team going."
— QB Tarvaris Jackson
Mark Craig, For Sporting News
MANKATO, Minn.—First impressions from Vikings training camp Tuesday after the news broke that Vikings QB Brett Favre reportedly will retire rather than return for a 20th NFL season:
"I’m not a big hearsay person. I gotta hear it from the horse’s mouth."
— Coach Brad Childress
Jared Allen says he’d love to have Brett Favre back, but camp is too hard to think about anything else.
"I love Brett and he reserves the right to do anything he wants to do. We’d obviously love to have him as a teammate. We’d love to have him back. But until it’s official … I’ll believe it when I see it. Right now, we’re just going to focus on the guys we have here–just like we did last year, just like we did the year before. Camp is too hard to think about everything else that’s going on."
— DE Jared Allen
"You never know the situation. You really can’t think about whether he’s coming or not. You just have to take care of your part in case he does or in case he doesn’t. You can do the best you can. That’s all you can do. … Brett’s a great guy. I don’t want to take anything away from him. He’s a Hall of Fame quarterback. I learned a lot from him last year. Hopefully, if I get my chance this year, I can just keep going. … I just want to keep my same focus and continue doing what I’m doing."
— QB Tarvaris Jackson
"I heard something about it. I hope it’s not the case. I didn’t hear anything from him. So now, I have no comment on it. It’s all rumors to me."
— TE Visanthe Shiancoe
"As far as we know, it’s the same thing. We haven’t heard anything. He doesn’t call me. I do know we’re here working and trying to get better."
— DT Kevin Williams
"I just found out about it two seconds ago. Coaches told us there were some rumors swirling around. Sounds like that’s all it is. I really have nothing to say other than speculation right now. Nothing really has happened. We can’t speculate on ‘What if?’ All we can concentrate on are the guys who are here. That’s all we can do."
— LB Ben Leber
"I hope to see him in a couple of weeks, but I mean the sun is going to rise tomorrow and we’re going to have football, whether Brett is here or not. We want him back, but 20 years, he deserves the right to do what he wants with it. Obviously, timing issues will be a factor, whether he’s coming or not. But right now we have Tarvaris (Jackson) and Sage (Rosenfels) working. Everybody else is working. We played football without him once before. If we have to do it again, we’ll do it again."
— DE Jared Allen
"I don’t have a reaction. I haven’t talked to Brett. I’ll try to give him a call today. I’d rather here it from the horse’s mouth than you guys (in the media). I really need to talk to him first."
— QB Sage Rosenfels
"Football is the ultimate team game. Brett played great last year. Whoever plays quarterback this year will have to play great. Quarterbacks always have to play great for a team to be successful. So whoever is in there is going to have to play great football."
— QB Sage Rosenfels
"It’s been three years now being asked Brett Favre questions. It’s kind of a part of my life now. I actually might miss it. It’s his decision. I’ll just come out here and try to get better."
— QB Tarvaris Jackson
"Hopefully (confidence) is high. I believe in my teammates. Hopefully, they believe in me. I want to come out here every day and work hard to try and get better. When the season starts and if I’m the guy I’ll be in there working hard each week, every day trying to be that guy who helps get the team going."
— QB Tarvaris Jackson
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News
Not so long ago, it was easy to identify the NFL’s elite tight ends. During the NFL’s passing explosion, however, it now seems like every team has a special athlete who can serve as both a surehanded receiver and nimble blocker.
To whittle the league’s current crop of talented tight ends down a select 10, Sporting News enlisted the help of NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger. Here is Baldinger’s rankings of the top tight ends heading into the 2010 season:
1. Tony Gonzalez, Falcons. There are no signs of a drop off with any part of his game. He remains the gold standard — an athletic receiver and physical blocker to whom modern tight ends are measured.
Of the seven seasons Jason Witten has played for the Cowboys, he’s started all 16 games in four of those seasons.
2. Jason Witten, Cowboys. He’s the consummate professional. You know what you will get game after game: A hardnosed effort where he leaves everything on the field. He’s an essential third-down option for Tony Romo.
3. Antonio Gates, Chargers. San Diego was wise to lock him up to a long-term deal last week. As a matchup nightmare, he opens up the field for the rest of the receivers. He’ll also be counted on to recharge a power running game.
4. Dallas Clark, Colts. He is the best and smoothest route-runner we’ve ever seen at the position. He can line up and get to any spot on the field, and Peyton Manning will find him everywhere.
5. Vernon Davis, 49ers. He always has been a chiseled athlete who looks the part of a premier tight end, but thanks to coach Mike Singletary lighting a fire under him, he’s finally playing up to his talent. Expect another explosive season.
6. Heath Miller, Steelers. Although he lacks the flashy game or gaudy fantasy statistics, he does all it takes to help Pittsburgh win.
7. Visanthe Shiancoe, Vikings. Like Davis, Shiancoe has put together a good hands game with his impressive physique. He is unquestionably an excellent red-zone target, even better when Brett Favre is at quarterback.
8. Owen Daniels, Texans. He was right there on the cusp of joining the elite tight ends before tearing his ACL last season. If he comes back strong, he has the smarts and skills to re-stake his claim.
9. Kevin Boss, Giants. Considering New York’s offensive philosophy is to pound the football, he excels as a run blocker. In the passing game, Eli Manning has great trust in him in all situations.
10. John Carlson, Seahawks. There are several young and exciting receiving tight ends, but this one for some is the undiscovered gem of the Emerald City. He runs exceptionally well and has performed like a wide receiver in two seasons in Seattle.
All-star watch
Five more promising tight ends who eventually will be Pro Bowl-bound:
Brent Celek, Eagles. Expect Kevin Kolb to lean on him a lot.
Jermichael Finley, Packers. He’s an explosive athlete in an explosive passing offense.
Dustin Keller, Jets. Going into his second year with Mark Sanchez, watch for their chemistry on underneath routes.
Zach Miller, Raiders. Jason Campbell soon will learn he’s the most reliable and skilled receiver in Oakland.
Brandon Pettigrew, Lions. He’ll be welcomed back from knee surgery to be Matt Stafford’s security blanket.
Vinnie Iyer is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at viyer@sportingnews.com.
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News
Not so long ago, it was easy to identify the NFL’s elite tight ends. During the NFL’s passing explosion, however, it now seems like every team has a special athlete who can serve as both a surehanded receiver and nimble blocker.
To whittle the league’s current crop of talented tight ends down a select 10, Sporting News enlisted the help of NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger. Here is Baldinger’s rankings of the top tight ends heading into the 2010 season:
1. Tony Gonzalez, Falcons. There are no signs of a drop off with any part of his game. He remains the gold standard — an athletic receiver and physical blocker to whom modern tight ends are measured.
Of the seven seasons Jason Witten has played for the Cowboys, he’s started all 16 games in four of those seasons.
2. Jason Witten, Cowboys. He’s the consummate professional. You know what you will get game after game: A hardnosed effort where he leaves everything on the field. He’s an essential third-down option for Tony Romo.
3. Antonio Gates, Chargers. San Diego was wise to lock him up to a long-term deal last week. As a matchup nightmare, he opens up the field for the rest of the receivers. He’ll also be counted on to recharge a power running game.
4. Dallas Clark, Colts. He is the best and smoothest route-runner we’ve ever seen at the position. He can line up and get to any spot on the field, and Peyton Manning will find him everywhere.
5. Vernon Davis, 49ers. He always has been a chiseled athlete who looks the part of a premier tight end, but thanks to coach Mike Singletary lighting a fire under him, he’s finally playing up to his talent. Expect another explosive season.
6. Heath Miller, Steelers. Although he lacks the flashy game or gaudy fantasy statistics, he does all it takes to help Pittsburgh win.
7. Visanthe Shiancoe, Vikings. Like Davis, Shiancoe has put together a good hands game with his impressive physique. He is unquestionably an excellent red-zone target, even better when Brett Favre is at quarterback.
8. Owen Daniels, Texans. He was right there on the cusp of joining the elite tight ends before tearing his ACL last season. If he comes back strong, he has the smarts and skills to re-stake his claim.
9. Kevin Boss, Giants. Considering New York’s offensive philosophy is to pound the football, he excels as a run blocker. In the passing game, Eli Manning has great trust in him in all situations.
10. John Carlson, Seahawks. There are several young and exciting receiving tight ends, but this one for some is the undiscovered gem of the Emerald City. He runs exceptionally well and has performed like a wide receiver in two seasons in Seattle.
All-star watch
Five more promising tight ends who eventually will be Pro Bowl-bound:
Brent Celek, Eagles. Expect Kevin Kolb to lean on him a lot.
Jermichael Finley, Packers. He’s an explosive athlete in an explosive passing offense.
Dustin Keller, Jets. Going into his second year with Mark Sanchez, watch for their chemistry on underneath routes.
Zach Miller, Raiders. Jason Campbell soon will learn he’s the most reliable and skilled receiver in Oakland.
Brandon Pettigrew, Lions. He’ll be welcomed back from knee surgery to be Matt Stafford’s security blanket.
Vinnie Iyer is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at viyer@sportingnews.com.
TORONTO — The St. Louis Cardinals have acquired pitcher Jake Westbrook from Cleveland and also sent outfielder Ryan Ludwick to the San Diego Padres.
The three-team trade involving a pair of division leaders was announced Saturday.
The NL Central-leading Cardinals got Westbrook and cash. They also got minor league pitcher Nick Greenwood from San Diego.
The NL West-leading Padres acquired Ludwick. The Indians got Double-A right-hander Corey Kluber from San Diego.
Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
TORONTO — The St. Louis Cardinals have acquired pitcher Jake Westbrook from Cleveland and also sent outfielder Ryan Ludwick to the San Diego Padres.
The three-team trade involving a pair of division leaders was announced Saturday.
The NL Central-leading Cardinals got Westbrook and cash. They also got minor league pitcher Nick Greenwood from San Diego.
The NL West-leading Padres acquired Ludwick. The Indians got Double-A right-hander Corey Kluber from San Diego.
Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Sporting News staff reports
Veteran lefty Ted Lilly joins the Dodgers.
The Cardinals, Indians and Padres agreed to a three-team deal Saturday that sent P Jake Westbrook from Cleveland to St. Louis and OF Ryan Ludwick from St. Louis to San Diego. The Cardinals also received cash and minor league P Nick Greenwood, while the Indians netted minor league P Corey Kluber. Westbrook, a two-time 15-game winner missed the 2009 season after Tommy John surgery, was 6-7 with a 4.65 ERA in 21 starts for the Indians this season. He will help solidify the back end of the Cardinals’ rotation, which is missing Ps Brad Penny and Kyle Lohse because of injuries. Ludwick is hitting .281 with 11 homers and 43 RBIs and will provide the kind of power bat the Padres desperately need.
The Dodgers added the veteran starting pitcher they had been seeking, picking up P Ted Lilly from the Cubs. Los Angeles also received IF Ryan Theriot and cash in the deal. In exchange, Chicago got 2B Blake DeWitt and minor league Ps Kyle Smit and Brett Wallach. Lilly is 3-8 with a 3.69 ERA in 18 starts this season. He will join a Dodgers rotation that features SPs Clayton Kershaw, Chad Billingsley, Hiroki Kuroda and Vicente Padilla. Theriot, who can play second base and shortstop, is hitting .284 with a homer, 21 RBIs and 16 stolen bases this season. DeWitt is batting .270 with a homer and 30 RBIs.
L.A. also picked up reliever Octavio Dotel from the Pirates for right-hander James McDonald and minor league outfielder Andrew Lambo.Dotel went 2-2 with 21 saves and a 4.28 ERA with Pittsburgh and will work in a setup role in Los Angeles. McDonald was 0-1 with an 8.22 ERA in four games (one start) for L.A.
The Pirates and Diamondbacks, a pair of last-place National League teams, pulled off a five-player deal. Pittsburgh acquired C Chris Snyder and minor league SS Pedro Ciriaco in exchange for IF Bobby Crosby, OF Ryan Church, RP D.J. Carrasco. Snyder hit .231 with 10 homers and 32 RBIs for Arizona, while Crosby (.224-1-11) and Church (.182-3-18) served largely in reserve roles with Pittsburgh. Carrasco, who posted a 3.88 ERA in 435 relief appearances, will be called upon to help fortify Arizona’s MLB-worst relief corps.
In a separate move, the Diamondbacks dealt P Chad Qualls to the Rays for a player to be named. Qualls was the on-again, off-again closer in Arizona this season, saving 12 games but posting an 8.29 ERA in 43 appearances. He will serve in a middle relief role for Tampa Bay.
In a deal that was agreed upon Friday night but didn’t become official until Saturday afternoon, the Yankees acquired 1B Lance Berkman and $4 million from the Astros in exchange for P Mark Melancon and minor league IF Jimmy Pared. Berkman, who was in the midst of a career-worst season (.245-13-49) with Houston, will serve primarily as New York’s DH. The Astros’ first-round draft pick in 1997 had spent his entire professional career in Houston’s organization.
The Yanks could try using Kerry Wood as a setup man.
A day after acquiring OF Austin Kearns from the Indians, the Yankees hammered out another deal with Cleveland, picking up P Kerry Wood and cash for a player to be named. The righthander was activated from the disabled list Saturday after being sidelined since July 12 because of a blister. Wood was 1-4 with eight saves and a 6.30 ERA in 23 appearances with the Indians this season. He could assume the eighth-inning setup role recently vacated by P Joba Chamberlain in New York.
Adding to their outfield and bullpen depth, the Braves picked up OF Rick Ankiel and P Kyle Farnsworth from the Royals in exchange for P Jesse Chavez, minor league P Tim Collins and OF Gregor Blanco. Ankiel, who has been limited to 27 games because of injuries, hit .261 with four homer and 15 RBIs for Kansas City, while Farnsworth was 3-0 with a 2.42 ERA in 37 relief appearances. Chavez was 3-2 with a 5.89 ERA in 28 appearances, and Blanco hit .310 with three RBIs in 58 at-bats for Atlanta. The Braves also acquired minor league OF Wilkin Ramirez from the Tigers for a player to be named later or cash. Ramirez was designated for assignment earlier last week.
Boston addressed its catching need by dealing for C Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who was with the Rangers’ Class AAA affiliate. Texas acquired minor league 1B Chris McGuiness, minor league P Roman Mendez, a player to be named and cash considerations, according to The Boston Globe.
The Giants acquired P Javier Lopez from the Pirates in exchange for P Joe Martinez and OF John Bowker. Lopez posted a 2.79 ERA in 50 appearances with Pittsburgh. Martinez was 0-1 with a 4.91 ERA in four games (one start) with San Francisco, and Bowker hit .207 with three homers and eight RBIs in 82 at-bats. In another bullpen move, the Giants acquired P Ramon Ramirez from the Red Sox. Ramirez was 0-3 with a 4.46 ERA in 44 games with Boston.
The Marlins added P Will Ohman from the Orioles for P Rick VandenHurk. Ohman had a 3.30 ERA in 51 appearances with Baltimore; VandenHurk posted a 6.75 ERA in two games with Florida.
Among the rumored deals that fell through Saturday: The White Sox were unable to reach an agreement with the Nationals for 1B Adam Dunn; according to FOXSports.com, the White Sox and Angels contacted the Dodgers to ask about OF Manny Ramirez; the San Francisco Chronicle reported the Giants made a late effort to acquire Brewers OF Corey Hart; Seattle and Atlanta discussed 2B/3B Chone Figgins, according to ESPN; FOXSports.com reported the Mets offered P Oliver Perez and 2B Luis Castillo to the Cubs for P Carlos Zambrano.
Among the veterans who were the subject of trade speculation the past few days/weeks but who weren’t traded before Saturday’s deadline: Brewers 1B Prince Fielder; Orioles IF/OF Luke Scott and IF Ty Wigginton; Astros P Brett Myers; Blue Jays 3B Jose Bautista; Red Sox 3B Mike Lowell; Marlins OF Cody Ross; Rockies P Aaron Cook and OF Brad Hawpe; Diamondbacks SS Stephen Drew, 2B Kelly Johnson and 1B Adam LaRoche; Pirates P Paul Maholm; Royals OF Jose Guillen.
Although the nonwaiver trading deadline has passed, player movement should continue through August. In order for a player to be dealt now, however, he first must clear waivers. With so few teams willing to add salary, the prevailing sentiment is that most players will clear waivers, making them eligible to be dealt. The next deadline to track: Aug. 31. Trades must be completed before then in order for a player to be eligible for the postseason with his new team.
Sporting News staff reports
Veteran lefty Ted Lilly joins the Dodgers.
The Cardinals, Indians and Padres agreed to a three-team deal Saturday that sent P Jake Westbrook from Cleveland to St. Louis and OF Ryan Ludwick from St. Louis to San Diego. The Cardinals also received cash and minor league P Nick Greenwood, while the Indians netted minor league P Corey Kluber. Westbrook, a two-time 15-game winner missed the 2009 season after Tommy John surgery, was 6-7 with a 4.65 ERA in 21 starts for the Indians this season. He will help solidify the back end of the Cardinals’ rotation, which is missing Ps Brad Penny and Kyle Lohse because of injuries. Ludwick is hitting .281 with 11 homers and 43 RBIs and will provide the kind of power bat the Padres desperately need.
The Dodgers added the veteran starting pitcher they had been seeking, picking up P Ted Lilly from the Cubs. Los Angeles also received IF Ryan Theriot and cash in the deal. In exchange, Chicago got 2B Blake DeWitt and minor league Ps Kyle Smit and Brett Wallach. Lilly is 3-8 with a 3.69 ERA in 18 starts this season. He will join a Dodgers rotation that features SPs Clayton Kershaw, Chad Billingsley, Hiroki Kuroda and Vicente Padilla. Theriot, who can play second base and shortstop, is hitting .284 with a homer, 21 RBIs and 16 stolen bases this season. DeWitt is batting .270 with a homer and 30 RBIs.
L.A. also picked up reliever Octavio Dotel from the Pirates for right-hander James McDonald and minor league outfielder Andrew Lambo.Dotel went 2-2 with 21 saves and a 4.28 ERA with Pittsburgh and will work in a setup role in Los Angeles. McDonald was 0-1 with an 8.22 ERA in four games (one start) for L.A.
The Pirates and Diamondbacks, a pair of last-place National League teams, pulled off a five-player deal. Pittsburgh acquired C Chris Snyder and minor league SS Pedro Ciriaco in exchange for IF Bobby Crosby, OF Ryan Church, RP D.J. Carrasco. Snyder hit .231 with 10 homers and 32 RBIs for Arizona, while Crosby (.224-1-11) and Church (.182-3-18) served largely in reserve roles with Pittsburgh. Carrasco, who posted a 3.88 ERA in 435 relief appearances, will be called upon to help fortify Arizona’s MLB-worst relief corps.
In a separate move, the Diamondbacks dealt P Chad Qualls to the Rays for a player to be named. Qualls was the on-again, off-again closer in Arizona this season, saving 12 games but posting an 8.29 ERA in 43 appearances. He will serve in a middle relief role for Tampa Bay.
In a deal that was agreed upon Friday night but didn’t become official until Saturday afternoon, the Yankees acquired 1B Lance Berkman and $4 million from the Astros in exchange for P Mark Melancon and minor league IF Jimmy Pared. Berkman, who was in the midst of a career-worst season (.245-13-49) with Houston, will serve primarily as New York’s DH. The Astros’ first-round draft pick in 1997 had spent his entire professional career in Houston’s organization.
The Yanks could try using Kerry Wood as a setup man.
A day after acquiring OF Austin Kearns from the Indians, the Yankees hammered out another deal with Cleveland, picking up P Kerry Wood and cash for a player to be named. The righthander was activated from the disabled list Saturday after being sidelined since July 12 because of a blister. Wood was 1-4 with eight saves and a 6.30 ERA in 23 appearances with the Indians this season. He could assume the eighth-inning setup role recently vacated by P Joba Chamberlain in New York.
Adding to their outfield and bullpen depth, the Braves picked up OF Rick Ankiel and P Kyle Farnsworth from the Royals in exchange for P Jesse Chavez, minor league P Tim Collins and OF Gregor Blanco. Ankiel, who has been limited to 27 games because of injuries, hit .261 with four homer and 15 RBIs for Kansas City, while Farnsworth was 3-0 with a 2.42 ERA in 37 relief appearances. Chavez was 3-2 with a 5.89 ERA in 28 appearances, and Blanco hit .310 with three RBIs in 58 at-bats for Atlanta. The Braves also acquired minor league OF Wilkin Ramirez from the Tigers for a player to be named later or cash. Ramirez was designated for assignment earlier last week.
Boston addressed its catching need by dealing for C Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who was with the Rangers’ Class AAA affiliate. Texas acquired minor league 1B Chris McGuiness, minor league P Roman Mendez, a player to be named and cash considerations, according to The Boston Globe.
The Giants acquired P Javier Lopez from the Pirates in exchange for P Joe Martinez and OF John Bowker. Lopez posted a 2.79 ERA in 50 appearances with Pittsburgh. Martinez was 0-1 with a 4.91 ERA in four games (one start) with San Francisco, and Bowker hit .207 with three homers and eight RBIs in 82 at-bats. In another bullpen move, the Giants acquired P Ramon Ramirez from the Red Sox. Ramirez was 0-3 with a 4.46 ERA in 44 games with Boston.
The Marlins added P Will Ohman from the Orioles for P Rick VandenHurk. Ohman had a 3.30 ERA in 51 appearances with Baltimore; VandenHurk posted a 6.75 ERA in two games with Florida.
Among the rumored deals that fell through Saturday: The White Sox were unable to reach an agreement with the Nationals for 1B Adam Dunn; according to FOXSports.com, the White Sox and Angels contacted the Dodgers to ask about OF Manny Ramirez; the San Francisco Chronicle reported the Giants made a late effort to acquire Brewers OF Corey Hart; Seattle and Atlanta discussed 2B/3B Chone Figgins, according to ESPN; FOXSports.com reported the Mets offered P Oliver Perez and 2B Luis Castillo to the Cubs for P Carlos Zambrano.
Among the veterans who were the subject of trade speculation the past few days/weeks but who weren’t traded before Saturday’s deadline: Brewers 1B Prince Fielder; Orioles IF/OF Luke Scott and IF Ty Wigginton; Astros P Brett Myers; Blue Jays 3B Jose Bautista; Red Sox 3B Mike Lowell; Marlins OF Cody Ross; Rockies P Aaron Cook and OF Brad Hawpe; Diamondbacks SS Stephen Drew, 2B Kelly Johnson and 1B Adam LaRoche; Pirates P Paul Maholm; Royals OF Jose Guillen.
Although the nonwaiver trading deadline has passed, player movement should continue through August. In order for a player to be dealt now, however, he first must clear waivers. With so few teams willing to add salary, the prevailing sentiment is that most players will clear waivers, making them eligible to be dealt. The next deadline to track: Aug. 31. Trades must be completed before then in order for a player to be eligible for the postseason with his new team.
Sporting News staff reports
Edwin Jackson, who threw a no-hitter against the Rays on June 25, has been traded from the Diamondbacks to the White Sox, according to MLB.com.
In exchange for Jackson, Arizona gets young righthander Daniel Hudson and minor league lefthander David Holmberg.
Jackson is 6-10 with a 5.16 ERA in 21 starts this season and has allowed an NL-high 77 earned runs.
Hudson is 1-1 with a 6.32 ERA in his three major league starts this season after going 11-4 with a 3.47 ERA in 17 starts at Class AAA.
Holmberg is 1-1 with a 4.46 ERA in eight rookie league starts.
There is speculation that the White Sox will try to flip Jackson to the Nationals in a package for first baseman Adam Dunn.
Sporting News staff reports
Edwin Jackson, who threw a no-hitter against the Rays on June 25, has been traded from the Diamondbacks to the White Sox, according to MLB.com.
In exchange for Jackson, Arizona gets young righthander Daniel Hudson and minor league lefthander David Holmberg.
Jackson is 6-10 with a 5.16 ERA in 21 starts this season and has allowed an NL-high 77 earned runs.
Hudson is 1-1 with a 6.32 ERA in his three major league starts this season after going 11-4 with a 3.47 ERA in 17 starts at Class AAA.
Holmberg is 1-1 with a 4.46 ERA in eight rookie league starts.
There is speculation that the White Sox will try to flip Jackson to the Nationals in a package for first baseman Adam Dunn.
Sporting News staff reports
The White Sox and Diamondbacks are engaged in talks about righthander Edwin Jackson, according to the Chicago Tribune.
If acquired, Jackson could be flipped to the Nationals in a deal for Adam Dunn.
The Nationals and White Sox have been unable to agree on a trade to send Dunn from Washington to Chicago, but the Nationals are said to be interested in Jackson. Jackson is just 6-10 with a 5.16 ERA this season, but he fired a no-hitter against the Rays on June 25.
To acquire Jackson from the Diamondbacks, the White Sox likely would have to part with righthander Daniel Hudson, according to the Chicago Tribune. Hudson is scheduled to start for the White Sox tonight.
Sporting News staff reports
The White Sox and Diamondbacks are engaged in talks about righthander Edwin Jackson, according to the Chicago Tribune.
If acquired, Jackson could be flipped to the Nationals in a deal for Adam Dunn.
The Nationals and White Sox have been unable to agree on a trade to send Dunn from Washington to Chicago, but the Nationals are said to be interested in Jackson. Jackson is just 6-10 with a 5.16 ERA this season, but he fired a no-hitter against the Rays on June 25.
To acquire Jackson from the Diamondbacks, the White Sox likely would have to part with righthander Daniel Hudson, according to the Chicago Tribune. Hudson is scheduled to start for the White Sox tonight.
Sporting News staff reports
In a twist in their efforts to strengthen themselves for a run at the AL Central title, the White Sox are expressing interest in Arizona starting pitcher Edwin Jackson, according to Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com.
Previously, Jackson and Chicago have only been linked as part of a three-team deal that would ultimately see Jackson headed to Washington. The White Sox have long been rumored to be in the hunt for Washington slugger Adam Dunn, but have balked at the Nationals’ reported asking price of either starting middle infielder Gordon Beckham or both starting pitcher Daniel Hudson and infielder Dayan Viciendo. With those talks stalling, Chicago is turning its interest toward Jackson, a pitcher Washington covets.
But it appears Chicago is now interested in adding Jackson to the rotation. Chicago’s offense has improved after a poor start to the season and the White Sox are in need of a starting pitcher after losing Jake Peavy to a season-ending injury.
Hudson, who is replacing Peavy in the rotation, could be a part of the potential deal for Jackson. Jackson threw a no-hitter on June 25, but has been overall disappointing in his first season with the Diamondbacks, going 6-10 with a 5.15 ERA. The White Sox hope a return to the AL Central would rejuvenate Jackson, who was 13-9 with a 3.62 ERA with division rival Detroit last year.
Sporting News staff reports
In a twist in their efforts to strengthen themselves for a run at the AL Central title, the White Sox are expressing interest in Arizona starting pitcher Edwin Jackson, according to Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com.
Previously, Jackson and Chicago have only been linked as part of a three-team deal that would ultimately see Jackson headed to Washington. The White Sox have long been rumored to be in the hunt for Washington slugger Adam Dunn, but have balked at the Nationals’ reported asking price of either starting middle infielder Gordon Beckham or both starting pitcher Daniel Hudson and infielder Dayan Viciendo. With those talks stalling, Chicago is turning its interest toward Jackson, a pitcher Washington covets.
But it appears Chicago is now interested in adding Jackson to the rotation. Chicago’s offense has improved after a poor start to the season and the White Sox are in need of a starting pitcher after losing Jake Peavy to a season-ending injury.
Hudson, who is replacing Peavy in the rotation, could be a part of the potential deal for Jackson. Jackson threw a no-hitter on June 25, but has been overall disappointing in his first season with the Diamondbacks, going 6-10 with a 5.15 ERA. The White Sox hope a return to the AL Central would rejuvenate Jackson, who was 13-9 with a 3.62 ERA with division rival Detroit last year.
Sporting News staff reports
While the Rangers were in discussions about acquiring third baseman Jorge Cantu, the team attempted a bold move to significantly increase its chances of winning a championship. According to MLB.com, Texas inquired about the availability of Marlins ace Josh Johnson.
The Rangers, who have already acquired catcher Bengie Molina and AL ERA leader Cliff Lee this month, reportedly offered their top three prospects as an entry point to negotiations for Johnson. But they were quickly rebuffed, with the Marlins deeming their ace "unmovable." Johnson, in the first year of a four-year, $39 million contract, is 10-3 with an ERA of that is nearly half a run better than anyone else in the majors.
Johnson had been working on a streak of 13 straight starts of going at least six innings and giving up no more than two runs entering his start Wednesday, when he allowed three runs in seven innings in a no decision.
It is believed that the Marlins want Johnson on their team as they prepare to move into a new stadium in 2012.
Sporting News staff reports
While the Rangers were in discussions about acquiring third baseman Jorge Cantu, the team attempted a bold move to significantly increase its chances of winning a championship. According to MLB.com, Texas inquired about the availability of Marlins ace Josh Johnson.
The Rangers, who have already acquired catcher Bengie Molina and AL ERA leader Cliff Lee this month, reportedly offered their top three prospects as an entry point to negotiations for Johnson. But they were quickly rebuffed, with the Marlins deeming their ace "unmovable." Johnson, in the first year of a four-year, $39 million contract, is 10-3 with an ERA of that is nearly half a run better than anyone else in the majors.
Johnson had been working on a streak of 13 straight starts of going at least six innings and giving up no more than two runs entering his start Wednesday, when he allowed three runs in seven innings in a no decision.
It is believed that the Marlins want Johnson on their team as they prepare to move into a new stadium in 2012.
Sporting News staff reports
Despite their fading place in the NL Central standings, the Milwaukee Brewers will not be trading any of their star players to rebuild for the future. ESPN.com’s Keith Law is reporting that the team is not interested in dealing right fielder Corey Hart or first baseman Prince Fielder.
Rumors have circulated for weeks about the availability of both players, who are under contract for the 2011 season. The Brewers, who are 48-55 and nine games behind first-place Cincinnati in the NL Central, appear content to hold on to both players after talks with the Giants broke down.
Hart is enjoying a career year, but his value was hampered by a July 23 wrist injury. He hasn’t appeared in a game since, though it is believed he could be back in the lineup on Friday.
Sporting News staff reports
Despite their fading place in the NL Central standings, the Milwaukee Brewers will not be trading any of their star players to rebuild for the future. ESPN.com’s Keith Law is reporting that the team is not interested in dealing right fielder Corey Hart or first baseman Prince Fielder.
Rumors have circulated for weeks about the availability of both players, who are under contract for the 2011 season. The Brewers, who are 48-55 and nine games behind first-place Cincinnati in the NL Central, appear content to hold on to both players after talks with the Giants broke down.
Hart is enjoying a career year, but his value was hampered by a July 23 wrist injury. He hasn’t appeared in a game since, though it is believed he could be back in the lineup on Friday.
