Free agent bargains are about as difficult to find these days as instant replay opponents. Just look at the league leaders. The top 10s are stocked with players making top salaries.
Based on the first one-third of the season, however, a case can be made that several bargain signings from this past offseason have paid off better than many of the big-money deals (see: Matt Holliday’s .206 average with runners in scoring position; John Lackey’s 4.72 ERA; Jason Bay’s three homers).
Still not convinced?
A position-by-position look at the best free agent signings:
Rod Barajas leads the Mets in homers.
C: Rod Barajas, Mets ($900,000)
Who says the Mets don’t know what they’re doing? They did something right by not giving in to Bengie Molina’s contract demands this past offseason and instead picking up Barajas and Henry Blanco. Barajas leads the club — and all catchers — with 11 homers and has played solid defense. "He’s a big guy so I don’t know how long he can keep this up, but he’s getting better as he gets older," a scout said.
1B: Troy Glaus, Braves ($1.75 million)
After making $12 million-plus in a dismal 2009 season, Glaus had to take a huge pay cut and change positions. If he continues to hit like this, you won’t find him in the bargain bin next winter. Glaus was NL player of the month for May after leading the league with 28 RBIs and raising his average 80 points to .274. Chipper Jones said in spring training that Glaus would be an ideal fit because "he’s a big righthanded bat that we can put in the cleanup spot and not miss much when (Brian) McCann takes a day." Indeed, Glaus has done much of his damage batting fourth, hitting .343 with 23 of his 45 RBIs in just 67 at-bats (compared to .254 with 22 RBIs in 134 at-bats from the fifth spot).
2B: Kelly Johnson, Diamondbacks ($2.35 million)
He became a free agent when the Braves decided they would rather pay Martin Prado $440,000 than deal with arbitration-eligible Johnson. He quickly showed why Arizona was in such a hurry to sign him. Since homering twice in his third game, Johnson has ranked among second-base leaders in homers (13), runs (41) and OBP (.379).
3B: Placido Polanco, Phillies ($5 million)
While not quite a bargain at three years, $18 million, Polanco has met the Phillies’ expectations of being a strong contact hitter in the second spot in the order (.319 average, .356 on-base percentage). His value perhaps was best displayed when he missed a week recently and the club lost four of six as the offense staggered.
Alex Gonzalez and the Jays have surprised.
SS: Alex Gonzalez, Blue Jays ($2.75 million)
He was one of the first free agents to sign after the Red Sox declined his $6 million option to pursue then-Jay Marco Scutaro, who signed a two-year, $12.5 million deal with Boston. Gonzalez signed early because he wanted to be assured of one of the few remaining starting shortstop jobs. He doesn’t have to worry about playing time now. He leads all shortstops with 12 homers and has emerged as a key reason the Jays have turned into one of the season’s surprise successes. For Toronto, the best part of the deal might be yet to come. The team holds an even more reasonable $2.5 million option on Gonzalez for 2011.
OF: Jonny Gomes, Reds ($800,000)
He waited until February to accept a minor league deal to return to Cincinnati. Gomes not only made the club in spring training but has hit his way into a regular job. His walkoff homer in the season’s third game gave the Reds their first win and established what has become a trend for the first-place club that leads the majors with 11 wins in its last at-bat.
OF: Scott Podsednik, Royals ($1.75 million)
"As long as he doesn’t try to hit the ball in the air, he’ll be fine," said a scout when the speedy Podsednik was leading the AL in hitting in April. To which Podsednik replied, "I’ll be fine as long as I hit it where they aren’t." Though he hasn’t been doing that as well as he did in April, he is hitting .288 with a .342 on-base percentage and ranks in the top 10 in the AL with 17 stolen bases.
OF: Austin Kearns, Indians ($750,000)
After struggling with the Nationals for the past two seasons, teams showed little interest in the former first-round pick and he accepted a minor league deal just hoping to make the Indians. Crediting improved health, the 30-year-old has had his average over .300 most of the season and has taken over the left field job.
DH: Vladimir Guerrero, Rangers ($6.5 million)
Though Vlad was the Angels’ best hitter in the 2009 postseason, the club didn’t make much of an effort to re-sign him after paying him $15 million and seeing him struggle with injuries during the regular season. Asked in spring training what he wanted from this season, Guerrero replied, "To be healthy so I can help my team." Check, check. Guerrero, 35, has been hitting on par with his career averages and ranks among AL leaders in homers (13), RBIs (49) and average (.330). His replacement in Anaheim, Hideki Matsui, is hitting .257 with nine homers and 33 RBIs on a $6 million salary.
Livan Hernandez ranks among the major league leaders in ERA and innings.
SP: Livan Hernandez, Nationals ($900,000)
Jon Garland (6-3, 2.68 ERA) also deserves a mention for his part in the Padres’ success, but he was able to score a major league contract (for $5.3 million) before spring training. Hernandez was left with a late minor league deal to return to Washington. He has used the slight as motivation. Hernandez didn’t allow a run in his first two starts and still ranks among the major league leaders in ERA (2.22) and innings (73 in 11 starts). Hernandez has been especially big for the Nationals considering how Jason Marquis has disappointed. Given a two-year, $15 million deal, Marquis allowed 20 runs in his first three starts before going on the disabled list and having elbow surgery.
RP: Jose Contreras, Phillies ($1.5 million)
Shortly after giving Danys Baez a two-year deal for $5.25 million, Philly scooped up Contreras on a one-year deal. Baez has been OK, but Contreras has been the club’s best reliever (1.45 ERA, 3-for-3 in save chances).
Free agent bargains are about as difficult to find these days as instant replay opponents. Just look at the league leaders. The top 10s are stocked with players making top salaries.
Based on the first one-third of the season, however, a case can be made that several bargain signings from this past offseason have paid off better than many of the big-money deals (see: Matt Holliday’s .206 average with runners in scoring position; John Lackey’s 4.72 ERA; Jason Bay’s three homers).
Still not convinced?
A position-by-position look at the best free agent signings:
Rod Barajas leads the Mets in homers.
C: Rod Barajas, Mets ($900,000)
Who says the Mets don’t know what they’re doing? They did something right by not giving in to Bengie Molina’s contract demands this past offseason and instead picking up Barajas and Henry Blanco. Barajas leads the club — and all catchers — with 11 homers and has played solid defense. "He’s a big guy so I don’t know how long he can keep this up, but he’s getting better as he gets older," a scout said.
1B: Troy Glaus, Braves ($1.75 million)
After making $12 million-plus in a dismal 2009 season, Glaus had to take a huge pay cut and change positions. If he continues to hit like this, you won’t find him in the bargain bin next winter. Glaus was NL player of the month for May after leading the league with 28 RBIs and raising his average 80 points to .274. Chipper Jones said in spring training that Glaus would be an ideal fit because "he’s a big righthanded bat that we can put in the cleanup spot and not miss much when (Brian) McCann takes a day." Indeed, Glaus has done much of his damage batting fourth, hitting .343 with 23 of his 45 RBIs in just 67 at-bats (compared to .254 with 22 RBIs in 134 at-bats from the fifth spot).
2B: Kelly Johnson, Diamondbacks ($2.35 million)
He became a free agent when the Braves decided they would rather pay Martin Prado $440,000 than deal with arbitration-eligible Johnson. He quickly showed why Arizona was in such a hurry to sign him. Since homering twice in his third game, Johnson has ranked among second-base leaders in homers (13), runs (41) and OBP (.379).
3B: Placido Polanco, Phillies ($5 million)
While not quite a bargain at three years, $18 million, Polanco has met the Phillies’ expectations of being a strong contact hitter in the second spot in the order (.319 average, .356 on-base percentage). His value perhaps was best displayed when he missed a week recently and the club lost four of six as the offense staggered.
Alex Gonzalez and the Jays have surprised.
SS: Alex Gonzalez, Blue Jays ($2.75 million)
He was one of the first free agents to sign after the Red Sox declined his $6 million option to pursue then-Jay Marco Scutaro, who signed a two-year, $12.5 million deal with Boston. Gonzalez signed early because he wanted to be assured of one of the few remaining starting shortstop jobs. He doesn’t have to worry about playing time now. He leads all shortstops with 12 homers and has emerged as a key reason the Jays have turned into one of the season’s surprise successes. For Toronto, the best part of the deal might be yet to come. The team holds an even more reasonable $2.5 million option on Gonzalez for 2011.
OF: Jonny Gomes, Reds ($800,000)
He waited until February to accept a minor league deal to return to Cincinnati. Gomes not only made the club in spring training but has hit his way into a regular job. His walkoff homer in the season’s third game gave the Reds their first win and established what has become a trend for the first-place club that leads the majors with 11 wins in its last at-bat.
OF: Scott Podsednik, Royals ($1.75 million)
"As long as he doesn’t try to hit the ball in the air, he’ll be fine," said a scout when the speedy Podsednik was leading the AL in hitting in April. To which Podsednik replied, "I’ll be fine as long as I hit it where they aren’t." Though he hasn’t been doing that as well as he did in April, he is hitting .288 with a .342 on-base percentage and ranks in the top 10 in the AL with 17 stolen bases.
OF: Austin Kearns, Indians ($750,000)
After struggling with the Nationals for the past two seasons, teams showed little interest in the former first-round pick and he accepted a minor league deal just hoping to make the Indians. Crediting improved health, the 30-year-old has had his average over .300 most of the season and has taken over the left field job.
DH: Vladimir Guerrero, Rangers ($6.5 million)
Though Vlad was the Angels’ best hitter in the 2009 postseason, the club didn’t make much of an effort to re-sign him after paying him $15 million and seeing him struggle with injuries during the regular season. Asked in spring training what he wanted from this season, Guerrero replied, "To be healthy so I can help my team." Check, check. Guerrero, 35, has been hitting on par with his career averages and ranks among AL leaders in homers (13), RBIs (49) and average (.330). His replacement in Anaheim, Hideki Matsui, is hitting .257 with nine homers and 33 RBIs on a $6 million salary.
Livan Hernandez ranks among the major league leaders in ERA and innings.
SP: Livan Hernandez, Nationals ($900,000)
Jon Garland (6-3, 2.68 ERA) also deserves a mention for his part in the Padres’ success, but he was able to score a major league contract (for $5.3 million) before spring training. Hernandez was left with a late minor league deal to return to Washington. He has used the slight as motivation. Hernandez didn’t allow a run in his first two starts and still ranks among the major league leaders in ERA (2.22) and innings (73 in 11 starts). Hernandez has been especially big for the Nationals considering how Jason Marquis has disappointed. Given a two-year, $15 million deal, Marquis allowed 20 runs in his first three starts before going on the disabled list and having elbow surgery.
RP: Jose Contreras, Phillies ($1.5 million)
Shortly after giving Danys Baez a two-year deal for $5.25 million, Philly scooped up Contreras on a one-year deal. Baez has been OK, but Contreras has been the club’s best reliever (1.45 ERA, 3-for-3 in save chances).
Sporting News Audio is a weekly series of conversations with Sporting News experts during the MLB season. In this installment, Chris Bahr talks about Stephen Strasburg’s dominant debut, and where the Washington Nationals are expected to go from here.
Sporting News
Sporting News Audio is a weekly series of conversations with Sporting News experts during the MLB season. In this installment, Chris Bahr talks about Stephen Strasburg’s dominant debut, and where the Washington Nationals are expected to go from here.
The Mariners expect the Yankees to make a run at lefthander Cliff Lee as the July 31 nonwaiver trading deadline approaches, according to a report in the New York Post.
Seattle acquired Lee, who will be a free agent after this season, from the Phillies this past offseason. However, Seattle is expected to deal him because it has been unable to climb back into contention in the AL West.
The New York Post reports Seattle already is scouting New York’s minor league system in anticipation of trade talks. The Mariners are said to be interested in one of the Yankees’ catcher prospects and shortstop prospect Eduardo Nunez.
Despite the Lee chatter, the New York Post noted the Yankees’ most pressing need is another bat. The team has been scouting Astros first baseman Lance Berkman, whose contract includes a team option for 2011 and a no-trade clause. Berkman would be an option at DH with Nick Johnson (wrist) out for an extended period. Another option at DH: White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko, who also will be a free agent after the season and who has a limited no-trade clause.
Sporting News staff reports
The Mariners expect the Yankees to make a run at lefthander Cliff Lee as the July 31 nonwaiver trading deadline approaches, according to a report in the New York Post.
Seattle acquired Lee, who will be a free agent after this season, from the Phillies this past offseason. However, Seattle is expected to deal him because it has been unable to climb back into contention in the AL West.
The New York Post reports Seattle already is scouting New York’s minor league system in anticipation of trade talks. The Mariners are said to be interested in one of the Yankees’ catcher prospects and shortstop prospect Eduardo Nunez.
Despite the Lee chatter, the New York Post noted the Yankees’ most pressing need is another bat. The team has been scouting Astros first baseman Lance Berkman, whose contract includes a team option for 2011 and a no-trade clause. Berkman would be an option at DH with Nick Johnson (wrist) out for an extended period. Another option at DH: White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko, who also will be a free agent after the season and who has a limited no-trade clause.
As if we didn’t have enough off-field contractual intrigue to track over the next year, two of the best quarterbacks in the game will give us even more.
Like the Patriots’ Tom Brady, Colts QB Peyton Manning enters the final year of his contract.
This season, both Tom Brady of the Patriots and Peyton Manning of the Colts enter the final year of their contracts. Currently, a deal for neither player seems to be close.
As to Brady, a recent report from Michael Silver of Yahoo! Sports suggests a "growing disconnect" between player and team, based on the lack of progress in contract talks and Brady’s decision to make only cameo appearances in Foxborough during the current offseason. As to Manning, owner Jim Irsay vowed in February that a record deal would be coming. Recent comments from team president Bill Polian suggest the Colts would like to wait until the contours of the next labor deal become more clear.
Here’s the problem. Once Manning and Brady finish the final year of their respective commitment, they’ll have more leverage, since they’ll be poised to hit the market without taking on any further injury risk. And while the franchise tag probably will be available, why wouldn’t a team that needs a quarterback be willing to hand over two first-round draft picks, especially when using one of them on the most important position in the sport constitutes a coin-flip proposition?
Sure, the Pats and Colts would have the right to match any offers made to and accepted by their franchise quarterbacks, but unless the new labor deal wipes out the poison-pill maneuver, the quarterbacks could receive offers that can’t be matched.
And even if the new labor situation deep sixes the poison-pill power-play, which if done properly forces the player’s original team to guarantee the full amount of an otherwise partially guaranteed deal, a different team may be willing to pay Brady or Manning far more money than the Patriots or the Colts, respectively, will pay to keep them.
While the Colts likely will pay whatever it takes to keep Manning in a horseshoed helmet until he retires (and they’d likely use the exclusive version of the franchise tag to keep him from getting away), the Patriots may not break the bank for Brady.
Let’s rewind to 2001. The Pats embraced the ability to replace a face-of-the-franchise quarterback who had become bigger than the team with a no-name sixth-round pick who happily accepted his role and aspired only to get better at it. A Super Bowl win made the transition from Drew Bledsoe to Brady even easier.
Nine years later, Brady has become bigger than Bledsoe ever was. Three Super Bowl wins. The greatest single season by any quarterback — if not any player — in NFL history. A supermodel wife who makes more money than him. And a hankering for living in Los Angeles that keeps him from fully committing to the team during the underrated weeks in which plans for the coming season are made.
Combined with the fact that Brady no longer appears to be interested in giving the team a hometown discount, it wouldn’t be a shock if coach Bill Belichick decides just as there’s no "I" in "team," there’s no longer any "team" in Brady.
That’s not to say the Patriots would ever slam the door on the future first-ballot Hall of Famer. Instead, they’d apply the non-exclusive version of the franchise tag, try to work out a new contract, and wait/hope for another team to make a ridiculous offer, collecting two first-round draft picks in the process.
The transaction would give the Patriots a trio of first-round picks in 2011, and two in 2012.
So where would Brady go? In that regard, a third still-elite quarterback who’s due to become a free agent in 2011 could play a major role. Though many believe Brady would make a beeline for the Bay Area, joining the 49ers team for which he grew up rooting, the Vikings may decide to make a play for Brady in lieu of laying lips for a third straight year on the buttocks of Brett Favre. And Brady could be intrigued by signing up with a team that could soon be headed for L.A., especially given that they’d be one of the few franchises with widespread strengths at positions other than quarterback.
In the end, both Manning and Brady will be looking to grab top dollar. Manning always has done it, and Brady now seems to be ready to give it a try, if for no reason other than to close the gap with the spouse.
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.
As if we didn’t have enough off-field contractual intrigue to track over the next year, two of the best quarterbacks in the game will give us even more.
Like the Patriots’ Tom Brady, Colts QB Peyton Manning enters the final year of his contract.
This season, both Tom Brady of the Patriots and Peyton Manning of the Colts enter the final year of their contracts. Currently, a deal for neither player seems to be close.
As to Brady, a recent report from Michael Silver of Yahoo! Sports suggests a "growing disconnect" between player and team, based on the lack of progress in contract talks and Brady’s decision to make only cameo appearances in Foxborough during the current offseason. As to Manning, owner Jim Irsay vowed in February that a record deal would be coming. Recent comments from team president Bill Polian suggest the Colts would like to wait until the contours of the next labor deal become more clear.
Here’s the problem. Once Manning and Brady finish the final year of their respective commitment, they’ll have more leverage, since they’ll be poised to hit the market without taking on any further injury risk. And while the franchise tag probably will be available, why wouldn’t a team that needs a quarterback be willing to hand over two first-round draft picks, especially when using one of them on the most important position in the sport constitutes a coin-flip proposition?
Sure, the Pats and Colts would have the right to match any offers made to and accepted by their franchise quarterbacks, but unless the new labor deal wipes out the poison-pill maneuver, the quarterbacks could receive offers that can’t be matched.
And even if the new labor situation deep sixes the poison-pill power-play, which if done properly forces the player’s original team to guarantee the full amount of an otherwise partially guaranteed deal, a different team may be willing to pay Brady or Manning far more money than the Patriots or the Colts, respectively, will pay to keep them.
While the Colts likely will pay whatever it takes to keep Manning in a horseshoed helmet until he retires (and they’d likely use the exclusive version of the franchise tag to keep him from getting away), the Patriots may not break the bank for Brady.
Let’s rewind to 2001. The Pats embraced the ability to replace a face-of-the-franchise quarterback who had become bigger than the team with a no-name sixth-round pick who happily accepted his role and aspired only to get better at it. A Super Bowl win made the transition from Drew Bledsoe to Brady even easier.
Nine years later, Brady has become bigger than Bledsoe ever was. Three Super Bowl wins. The greatest single season by any quarterback — if not any player — in NFL history. A supermodel wife who makes more money than him. And a hankering for living in Los Angeles that keeps him from fully committing to the team during the underrated weeks in which plans for the coming season are made.
Combined with the fact that Brady no longer appears to be interested in giving the team a hometown discount, it wouldn’t be a shock if coach Bill Belichick decides just as there’s no "I" in "team," there’s no longer any "team" in Brady.
That’s not to say the Patriots would ever slam the door on the future first-ballot Hall of Famer. Instead, they’d apply the non-exclusive version of the franchise tag, try to work out a new contract, and wait/hope for another team to make a ridiculous offer, collecting two first-round draft picks in the process.
The transaction would give the Patriots a trio of first-round picks in 2011, and two in 2012.
So where would Brady go? In that regard, a third still-elite quarterback who’s due to become a free agent in 2011 could play a major role. Though many believe Brady would make a beeline for the Bay Area, joining the 49ers team for which he grew up rooting, the Vikings may decide to make a play for Brady in lieu of laying lips for a third straight year on the buttocks of Brett Favre. And Brady could be intrigued by signing up with a team that could soon be headed for L.A., especially given that they’d be one of the few franchises with widespread strengths at positions other than quarterback.
In the end, both Manning and Brady will be looking to grab top dollar. Manning always has done it, and Brady now seems to be ready to give it a try, if for no reason other than to close the gap with the spouse.
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.
Bobby Valentine and Eric Wedge are among the early candidates to be the Baltimore Orioles’ new full-time manager, the Baltimore Sun reports.
Valentine may interview with team president Andy MacPhail as early as Thursday. No date has been set for a meeting between Wedge and MacPhail.
Both men refused to comment when contacted by the Sun.
Valentine, 60, is now an analyst for ESPN. He guided the New York Mets to the National League championship in 2000, before losing to the Yankees in the World Series. He won a Japan Series championship with the Chiba Lotte Marines in 2005.
Wedge, 42, nearly led the Cleveland Indians to the American League title in 2007, only to see his team blow a 3-1 lead in the ALCS to the Boston Red Sox.
The Sun reports interim manager Samuel is also being considered, along with former O’s catcher and current broadcaster Rick Dempsey; as well as veteran managers such as former Birds skipper Davey Johnson; Buck Showalter; Phil Garner; Bob Melvin, and Clint Hurdle.
MacPhail fired Dave Trembley on Thursday and replaced him on an interim basis with Samuel.
NBA: DreamWorks SKG partner David Geffen wants to purchase 51 percent of the L.A. Clippers, spies tell the New York Post. A source also reports Geffen said he could deliver LeBron James to the Clips, as long as he has controlling interest. But Donald Sterling is unlikely to give up said controlling interest. "They (the Clippers) are his entree to Hollywood’s galaxy of stars," the source said. "You have no idea how Donald gets off swaying on the sidelines with demi-celebrities 41 nights a year."
NFL: Potential sole St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke seems to have found a way to have his NFL team and keep his NHL and NBA teams, too. The NFL prevents majority NFL owners from owning franchises in multiple leagues, though it has made an exception for Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga. Kroenke plans to transfer some or all of his ownership of the Nuggets to his 30-year-old son Josh, who has a job in the team’s front office. Plans for the Avalanche are not as firm. "Our son Josh has been involved with many of our organizations for several years and that family continuity remains a priority," Kroenke said in a statement to The Denver Post. "My family looks forward to owning the Rams, Nuggets and Avalanche for years to come while being compliant with all stipulations set by the NFL. Our family remains committed to fans in St. Louis and Denver." Kroenke now owns 40 percent of the Rams, and Chip Rosenbloom and his family would like to transfer the other 60 percent to him, as well.
• Spero Dedes, radio voice of the Los Angeles Lakers, will replace Dick Enberg in CBS Sports’ NFL TV lineup, Ben Maller reports. CBS will announce the move this summer, Maller reports. Dedes was part of the NFL Network’s "NFL GameDay Morning" pregame coverage in 2009, teaming with Michael Irvin and Warren Sapp.
MLB: Red Sox LF Jacoby Ellsbury is still having trouble after breaking four ribs in a collision with Adrian Beltre back in April. So he’s probably going to get a second opinion. Terry Francona says Ellsbury likely will take a trip out to the Kerlan-Jobe clinic in Los Angeles.
Tennis: One more reason to like Rafael Nadal: He’s a fan of Disney World. Rafa made a Monday appearance at the Magic Kingdom after winning the French Open on Sunday. "It’s a place I love, I often come with family and I also intend to return very soon," Nadal said.
NBA: DreamWorks SKG partner David Geffen wants to purchase 51 percent of the L.A. Clippers, spies tell the New York Post. A source also reports Geffen said he could deliver LeBron James to the Clips, as long as he has controlling interest. But Donald Sterling is unlikely to give up said controlling interest. "They (the Clippers) are his entree to Hollywood’s galaxy of stars," the source said. "You have no idea how Donald gets off swaying on the sidelines with demi-celebrities 41 nights a year."
NFL: Potential sole St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke seems to have found a way to have his NFL team and keep his NHL and NBA teams, too. The NFL prevents majority NFL owners from owning franchises in multiple leagues, though it has made an exception for Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga. Kroenke plans to transfer some or all of his ownership of the Nuggets to his 30-year-old son Josh, who has a job in the team’s front office. Plans for the Avalanche are not as firm. "Our son Josh has been involved with many of our organizations for several years and that family continuity remains a priority," Kroenke said in a statement to The Denver Post. "My family looks forward to owning the Rams, Nuggets and Avalanche for years to come while being compliant with all stipulations set by the NFL. Our family remains committed to fans in St. Louis and Denver." Kroenke now owns 40 percent of the Rams, and Chip Rosenbloom and his family would like to transfer the other 60 percent to him, as well.
• Spero Dedes, radio voice of the Los Angeles Lakers, will replace Dick Enberg in CBS Sports’ NFL TV lineup, Ben Maller reports. CBS will announce the move this summer, Maller reports. Dedes was part of the NFL Network’s "NFL GameDay Morning" pregame coverage in 2009, teaming with Michael Irvin and Warren Sapp.
MLB: Red Sox LF Jacoby Ellsbury is still having trouble after breaking four ribs in a collision with Adrian Beltre back in April. So he’s probably going to get a second opinion. Terry Francona says Ellsbury likely will take a trip out to the Kerlan-Jobe clinic in Los Angeles.
Tennis: One more reason to like Rafael Nadal: He’s a fan of Disney World. Rafa made a Monday appearance at the Magic Kingdom after winning the French Open on Sunday. "It’s a place I love, I often come with family and I also intend to return very soon," Nadal said.
After picking the brains of NFL scouts, coaches and players, Sporting News’ panel of experts debated the merits of the contenders and demerits of the pretenders. Our Super Bowl 45 pick: Jets over Cowboys.
Coach Rex Ryan enters his second year as the Jets coach.
Why the Jets will win the AFC
1. Talent talks. Some see potential locker room problems with the additions of Santonio Holmes, LaDainian Tomlinson, Antonio Cromartie and Jason Taylor. We see a team with a more diverse offense, a better pass rush and an improved secondary. QB Mark Sanchez will improve, too. And coach Rex Ryan is strong enough to handle all distractions.
"I came here to win," Ryan said. "I didn’t come here to be average. I’m going to be held to those standards. Did you deliver a championship? I’m man enough to go for it, where a lot of guys aren’t."
2. Dynamic defense. The Jets had the NFL’s top-ranked defense last season, and it should be better in ’10. Darrelle Revis is the league’s best corner, Taylor will enhance the pass rush and Cromartie and Kyle Wilson give Ryan even more freedom to blitz.
3. Hunger helps. They lost to Miami twice last year, finished second to New England in the division and fell just short of the Super Bowl. It’s payback time.
Wade Phillips has been the Cowboys’ head coach since the 2007 season.
Why the Cowboys will win the NFC
1. Championship continuity. In a league where change is constant, the Cowboys have kept their nucleus — Tony Romo, DeMarcus Ware, Jay Ratliff, Miles Austin, Jason Witten, Leonard Davis, Anthony Spencer and Terence Newman — intact. Dallas has an abundance of stars in their prime.
2. Romo rising. He cut down on turnovers last year and then won a playoff game, and now he has another weapon in Dez Bryant. Drew Brees was the QB who made a statement last season; Romo is next.
3. Date with destiny. No team has played a Super Bowl on its home field. This will change Feb. 6 at Jerry Jones’ palace, Cowboys Stadium.
Super Bowl edge
With two weeks to prepare for Romo & Co., Ryan’s defense will make enough big plays to prevail.
After picking the brains of NFL scouts, coaches and players, Sporting News’ panel of experts debated the merits of the contenders and demerits of the pretenders. Our Super Bowl 45 pick: Jets over Cowboys.
Coach Rex Ryan enters his second year as the Jets coach.
Why the Jets will win the AFC
1. Talent talks. Some see potential locker room problems with the additions of Santonio Holmes, LaDainian Tomlinson, Antonio Cromartie and Jason Taylor. We see a team with a more diverse offense, a better pass rush and an improved secondary. QB Mark Sanchez will improve, too. And coach Rex Ryan is strong enough to handle all distractions.
"I came here to win," Ryan said. "I didn’t come here to be average. I’m going to be held to those standards. Did you deliver a championship? I’m man enough to go for it, where a lot of guys aren’t."
2. Dynamic defense. The Jets had the NFL’s top-ranked defense last season, and it should be better in ’10. Darrelle Revis is the league’s best corner, Taylor will enhance the pass rush and Cromartie and Kyle Wilson give Ryan even more freedom to blitz.
3. Hunger helps. They lost to Miami twice last year, finished second to New England in the division and fell just short of the Super Bowl. It’s payback time.
Wade Phillips has been the Cowboys’ head coach since the 2007 season.
Why the Cowboys will win the NFC
1. Championship continuity. In a league where change is constant, the Cowboys have kept their nucleus — Tony Romo, DeMarcus Ware, Jay Ratliff, Miles Austin, Jason Witten, Leonard Davis, Anthony Spencer and Terence Newman — intact. Dallas has an abundance of stars in their prime.
2. Romo rising. He cut down on turnovers last year and then won a playoff game, and now he has another weapon in Dez Bryant. Drew Brees was the QB who made a statement last season; Romo is next.
3. Date with destiny. No team has played a Super Bowl on its home field. This will change Feb. 6 at Jerry Jones’ palace, Cowboys Stadium.
Super Bowl edge
With two weeks to prepare for Romo & Co., Ryan’s defense will make enough big plays to prevail.
Brad Lincoln, the Pirates’ top pitching prospect, is "definitely a candidate" to make his major league debut in this week’s three-game series at Washington, but it apparently won’t come in a head-to-head rookie showdown with the Nationals’ Stephen Strasburg.
Strasburg is scheduled to work Tuesday against Pittsburgh’s Jeff Karstens. Lincoln, who is 6-2 with a 3.16 ERA and 55 strikeouts at Triple-A Indianapolis, could start on Wednesday.
A Lincoln-Strasburg matchup might have generated extra interest, which already is off the charts with Strasburg. But Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said management’s preference was to have the veteran Karstens matched against the touted prospect.
"It would be awesome," Lincoln told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, referring to his big league debut. "I’ve worked really hard to get to this point, and I’d be thrilled if they brought me up. I’ll be ready."
Sporting News staff reports
Brad Lincoln, the Pirates’ top pitching prospect, is "definitely a candidate" to make his major league debut in this week’s three-game series at Washington, but it apparently won’t come in a head-to-head rookie showdown with the Nationals’ Stephen Strasburg.
Strasburg is scheduled to work Tuesday against Pittsburgh’s Jeff Karstens. Lincoln, who is 6-2 with a 3.16 ERA and 55 strikeouts at Triple-A Indianapolis, could start on Wednesday.
A Lincoln-Strasburg matchup might have generated extra interest, which already is off the charts with Strasburg. But Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said management’s preference was to have the veteran Karstens matched against the touted prospect.
"It would be awesome," Lincoln told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, referring to his big league debut. "I’ve worked really hard to get to this point, and I’d be thrilled if they brought me up. I’ll be ready."
The draft and a long-anticipated debut will put baseball’s spotlight on the nation’s capital this week, at least until the return of interleague play on Friday. The week ahead:
After thriving in junior college, Bryce Harper is likely to be the No. 1 pick.
Monday: Nationals pick first
For the second consecutive year, the Nationals have the first pick in the amateur draft. This time, they’re expected to take Bryce Harper, a 17-year-old catcher/outfielder who hit 29 homers in 62 games for a Nevada junior college.
Harper would have been a high school junior this year, but he earned his GED so he could attend junior college. As a result, he is eligible to be drafted Monday. While he has caught much of his amateur career, his forte is hitting, especially the long ball. "He has excellent power and he’ll hit for a decent average. He’s not going to hit for average like Joe Mauer, but there’s only one Mauer, but he could hit for more power," one talent evaluator said.
The first 50 picks will be made Monday, with the 50-round draft continuing through Wednesday.
Tuesday: Strasburg starts
Stephen Strasburg, the No. 1 pick a year ago, is scheduled to make his first big-league start Tuesday night in Washington, D.C., against the Pirates.
The hype for Strasburg’s debut is approaching that which followed LeBron James from high school to the NBA. Tuesday’s game is a sellout (his rumored first start on last Friday almost sold out). The Nationals expect to distribute 200 media credentials, according to the Washington Post, and the MLB Network will televise the contest.
By all accounts, Strasburg is good enough to live up to the hype, too. He dominated hitters in 11 minor league starts split between Class AA and AAA, posting a 2.08 ERA and 65 strikeouts in 55 1/3 innings. Duplicating that in the majors will be difficult, of course, but it’s what many are expecting.
"Expectations have been blown so far out of proportion and are so out of whack that it’s almost impossible to reach whatever people think he should reach," Nationals GM Mike Rizzo said recently. "He has to be comfortable in his own skin. We know what we’re expecting of him. If he reaches his potential, in my expectations, we’ll all be feeling good about it."
The Nationals will continue to handle Strasburg like a 21-year-old in his first pro season, monitoring his pitches and his innings. He likely has about 100 innings to work before he is shut down.
Washington could not have picked a better opponent for Strasburg’s start: The Pirates entered Sunday as the majors’ lowest-scoring club. If Strasburg works every five days — no guarantee given his limits for the season — his second start would be Sunday at Cleveland.
Friday: Interleague, Part 2
The National League will be in an unusual spot when the schedule again breaks for interleague games. The NL, on the losing side of interleague for the past six years, holds a 22-20 lead over the AL.
Last month’s weekend break for interleague served as a three-day tuneup for this 17-day interruption. The season will be nearly half over when the schedule returns to intraleague. The Dodgers, for one, will not mind getting back to normal. They have perhaps the most difficult interleague schedule with all four of their remaining series against teams that reached the playoffs last year: the Angels (twice), Red Sox and Yankees.
After 13 years of interleague, even players are ready for some kind of change. "I think the fans enjoy interleague play to see different teams and players," Indians DH Travis Hafner said. "I’d like to see the DH added to all the games."
If that doesn’t happen next year, another possibility would be for the DH to be used in NL parks during interleague but not in the AL.
The draft and a long-anticipated debut will put baseball’s spotlight on the nation’s capital this week, at least until the return of interleague play on Friday. The week ahead:
After thriving in junior college, Bryce Harper is likely to be the No. 1 pick.
Monday: Nationals pick first
For the second consecutive year, the Nationals have the first pick in the amateur draft. This time, they’re expected to take Bryce Harper, a 17-year-old catcher/outfielder who hit 29 homers in 62 games for a Nevada junior college.
Harper would have been a high school junior this year, but he earned his GED so he could attend junior college. As a result, he is eligible to be drafted Monday. While he has caught much of his amateur career, his forte is hitting, especially the long ball. "He has excellent power and he’ll hit for a decent average. He’s not going to hit for average like Joe Mauer, but there’s only one Mauer, but he could hit for more power," one talent evaluator said.
The first 50 picks will be made Monday, with the 50-round draft continuing through Wednesday.
Tuesday: Strasburg starts
Stephen Strasburg, the No. 1 pick a year ago, is scheduled to make his first big-league start Tuesday night in Washington, D.C., against the Pirates.
The hype for Strasburg’s debut is approaching that which followed LeBron James from high school to the NBA. Tuesday’s game is a sellout (his rumored first start on last Friday almost sold out). The Nationals expect to distribute 200 media credentials, according to the Washington Post, and the MLB Network will televise the contest.
By all accounts, Strasburg is good enough to live up to the hype, too. He dominated hitters in 11 minor league starts split between Class AA and AAA, posting a 2.08 ERA and 65 strikeouts in 55 1/3 innings. Duplicating that in the majors will be difficult, of course, but it’s what many are expecting.
"Expectations have been blown so far out of proportion and are so out of whack that it’s almost impossible to reach whatever people think he should reach," Nationals GM Mike Rizzo said recently. "He has to be comfortable in his own skin. We know what we’re expecting of him. If he reaches his potential, in my expectations, we’ll all be feeling good about it."
The Nationals will continue to handle Strasburg like a 21-year-old in his first pro season, monitoring his pitches and his innings. He likely has about 100 innings to work before he is shut down.
Washington could not have picked a better opponent for Strasburg’s start: The Pirates entered Sunday as the majors’ lowest-scoring club. If Strasburg works every five days — no guarantee given his limits for the season — his second start would be Sunday at Cleveland.
Friday: Interleague, Part 2
The National League will be in an unusual spot when the schedule again breaks for interleague games. The NL, on the losing side of interleague for the past six years, holds a 22-20 lead over the AL.
Last month’s weekend break for interleague served as a three-day tuneup for this 17-day interruption. The season will be nearly half over when the schedule returns to intraleague. The Dodgers, for one, will not mind getting back to normal. They have perhaps the most difficult interleague schedule with all four of their remaining series against teams that reached the playoffs last year: the Angels (twice), Red Sox and Yankees.
After 13 years of interleague, even players are ready for some kind of change. "I think the fans enjoy interleague play to see different teams and players," Indians DH Travis Hafner said. "I’d like to see the DH added to all the games."
If that doesn’t happen next year, another possibility would be for the DH to be used in NL parks during interleague but not in the AL.
In Nashville, Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson wants a new contract because he grossly has outperformed his slotted rookie deal. He deserves one.
Darrelle Revis believes the Jets promised a new deal and has done enough to get it.
In Houston, Houston Texans receiver Andre Johnson apparently wants a new contract because he doesn’t like the long-term veteran deal he signed in 2007, with two years left on his rookie contract. He doesn’t deserve one.
New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis falls into a gray area. On one hand, he received a landmark contract as the 14th overall pick in 2007. Three years in, he has the ability after 2010 to void the last two years of the deal. Then, the Jets can buy back years five and six at guaranteed salaries of $5 million in 2011 and a whopping $15 million in 2012.
So, basically, Revis has no basis to be complaining.
On the other hand, when it comes to the player’s abilities, Jets coach Rex Ryan has thrown more bouquets than Larry King. Ryan publicly has said that Revis is the NFL’s best defensive player; privately, Ryan will concede that Revis is the best player Ryan ever has coached — and he has coached the likes of Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Chris McAlister, Deion Sanders and Terrell Suggs.
Rex Ryan’s lavish praise could be ample grounds to justify dumping more cash on Revis Island.
To make a delicate situation even dicier, Revis believes the team has promised to rip up his deal and replace it with a contract that pays him commensurately with his skills. So even though Revis doesn’t have the leverage typically needed to get the kind of package that pushes the market to a new level because he has three years left on his contract, the Jets apparently have done enough to justify Revis expecting to get at least as much as Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, who averages north of $15 million per season.
The fact that Revis bolted voluntary workouts after participating in them for all of the offseason suggests that he previously was willing to be patient, but then his patience has expired, presumably because of a lack of progress. Moving forward, the question becomes whether he would hold out, either from an upcoming mandatory minicamp or training camp.
His agents, Neil Schwartz and Jonathan Feinsod, haven’t been bashful about taking a stand. Last year, Atlanta Falcons receiver Roddy White — who also is represented by Schwartz and Feinsod — boycotted training camp until he got paid.
As a rookie, Revis held out nearly three weeks before getting his unconventional contract that goes from six years to four back to six, with a huge back-end payout.
But Revis might not have that option in 2010. Three years ago, I got my hands on a copy of his much-thicker-than-usual contract. (Since then, it has done a nice job of keeping the door to my office propped open.) The deal contains language that arguably allows the Jets to void the guaranteed nature of the money paid in 2011 and 2012, after the team exercises the buy-back, if Revis fails to show up for any mandatory practice or team function. That’s not a huge deal given the quality of his play to date, but Revis would be taking a risk by giving up the guarantees.
So maybe he’ll show up for mandatory minicamp and training camp. Maybe he won’t. The future would be much easier to predict if the Jets would simply work out a new contract with the player about whom the team doesn’t hesitate to gush.
Some league insiders suspect that the reluctance to pay Revis or other home-grown players traces directly to the top of the organization. Thus, at a time when owner Woody Johnson wants fans to make the long-term commitment that comes from buying high-priced personal seat licenses, his case for loyalty from the paying customers could significantly be aided by a show of loyalty to the players who have helped make the team more competitive than it’s been in years.
And Johnson probably should start with Revis, the player who deserves it the most, especially if it’s been promised to him.
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.
In Nashville, Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson wants a new contract because he grossly has outperformed his slotted rookie deal. He deserves one.
Darrelle Revis believes the Jets promised a new deal and has done enough to get it.
In Houston, Houston Texans receiver Andre Johnson apparently wants a new contract because he doesn’t like the long-term veteran deal he signed in 2007, with two years left on his rookie contract. He doesn’t deserve one.
New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis falls into a gray area. On one hand, he received a landmark contract as the 14th overall pick in 2007. Three years in, he has the ability after 2010 to void the last two years of the deal. Then, the Jets can buy back years five and six at guaranteed salaries of $5 million in 2011 and a whopping $15 million in 2012.
So, basically, Revis has no basis to be complaining.
On the other hand, when it comes to the player’s abilities, Jets coach Rex Ryan has thrown more bouquets than Larry King. Ryan publicly has said that Revis is the NFL’s best defensive player; privately, Ryan will concede that Revis is the best player Ryan ever has coached — and he has coached the likes of Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Chris McAlister, Deion Sanders and Terrell Suggs.
Rex Ryan’s lavish praise could be ample grounds to justify dumping more cash on Revis Island.
To make a delicate situation even dicier, Revis believes the team has promised to rip up his deal and replace it with a contract that pays him commensurately with his skills. So even though Revis doesn’t have the leverage typically needed to get the kind of package that pushes the market to a new level because he has three years left on his contract, the Jets apparently have done enough to justify Revis expecting to get at least as much as Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, who averages north of $15 million per season.
The fact that Revis bolted voluntary workouts after participating in them for all of the offseason suggests that he previously was willing to be patient, but then his patience has expired, presumably because of a lack of progress. Moving forward, the question becomes whether he would hold out, either from an upcoming mandatory minicamp or training camp.
His agents, Neil Schwartz and Jonathan Feinsod, haven’t been bashful about taking a stand. Last year, Atlanta Falcons receiver Roddy White — who also is represented by Schwartz and Feinsod — boycotted training camp until he got paid.
As a rookie, Revis held out nearly three weeks before getting his unconventional contract that goes from six years to four back to six, with a huge back-end payout.
But Revis might not have that option in 2010. Three years ago, I got my hands on a copy of his much-thicker-than-usual contract. (Since then, it has done a nice job of keeping the door to my office propped open.) The deal contains language that arguably allows the Jets to void the guaranteed nature of the money paid in 2011 and 2012, after the team exercises the buy-back, if Revis fails to show up for any mandatory practice or team function. That’s not a huge deal given the quality of his play to date, but Revis would be taking a risk by giving up the guarantees.
So maybe he’ll show up for mandatory minicamp and training camp. Maybe he won’t. The future would be much easier to predict if the Jets would simply work out a new contract with the player about whom the team doesn’t hesitate to gush.
Some league insiders suspect that the reluctance to pay Revis or other home-grown players traces directly to the top of the organization. Thus, at a time when owner Woody Johnson wants fans to make the long-term commitment that comes from buying high-priced personal seat licenses, his case for loyalty from the paying customers could significantly be aided by a show of loyalty to the players who have helped make the team more competitive than it’s been in years.
And Johnson probably should start with Revis, the player who deserves it the most, especially if it’s been promised to him.
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.
