Dodgers close to signing Sweeney

ESPN is reporting that the Los Angeles Dodgers are close to an agreement with Mark Sweeney on a 1-year contract. New manager Joe Torre has expressed his desire to have a veteran presence on the bench and it looks like the team is going to listen.

Originally the team was looking at Tony Clark, but he signed with the San Diego Padres earlier in the week. So after that Mark Sweeney became a logical choice as he can play first base and the outfield. He's also one of the best pinch-hitters in baseball history. He's a career .260 hitter in 13 seasons. Last year he led the majors with 24 pinch hits an a .316 average in the role. Over his career he has 163 pinch hits, second all time behind Lenny Harris.

Once this deal is done I'd have to say its neither a good or bad signing. It's just a signing that gives Joe Torre the type of team he likes. And even in his years with the New York Yankees he loved his veteran presence on the bench. And with a younger team like the Dodgers that's not a bad idea. Somewhat of a plus thou having that good of a pinch-hitter on your bench in the National League.

Blanton trade rumors.

Trade rumors surrounding Oakland Athletics pitcher Joe Blanton continue to heat up. The Denver Post reports that Oakland is asking for Andre Ethier, Andy LaRoche and a prospect from the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Cincinnati Reds have also been showing extreme interest in Blanton. Oakland's been asking for Homer Baily or Johnny Cueto, Joey Votto and a prospect in those talks.

Basically you can tell that GM Billy Beane of Oakland, is looking for an overwhelming package. Can you blame him after the Erik Bedard and Johan Santana trades? He's got the best available arm on the market right now and he's going to make people pay if they want it.

Here is the Denver Post article from today.

Here is a link to MLB Trade Rumors where you can also find more info on the Blanton situation.

Ben Wallace on the move?

Could Ben Wallace on the move soon? There's two games left for the Chicago Bulls before the all-star break and speculation is growing that these could be his last 2 games in the Windy City. The Bulls were originally talking with the Los Angeles Lakers about a trade but then the Lakers went after Pau Gasol instead. The two teams being most rumored right now are the Utah Jazz and the New York Knicks.

The Jazz rumor is more out financial need then getting a big man. A consideration is Andrei Kirilenko for Wallace. Sounds a lot like the Lakers and Miami Heat trades of the past few weeks where the talent didn't quite make sense going back and forth. But the reason is money of course, and Utah is (no matter how much i hate to use this term) a small market team. Kirilenko's contract has an extra season then Wallace's, including the last year being worth $17.8 million. In the long run the Jazz would save $21 million if they did that swap. And then would have more money available to re-sign star point guard Deron Williams, who is eligible for an extension this summer, and Carlos Boozer.

Now to the Knicks. ESPN had a report this past weekend of Wallace for Quentin Richardson, Malik Rose and Fred Jones. And there's no secret that Big Ben has told friends he wants to play in New York.

The Utah deal if it could ever happen would make the most sense for the Bulls as they'd get all-star talent that plays defense. Where the Knicks deal will left them dump Wallace off on someone and let Joakim Noah take over as the team's center full time.

Here is an article in the Chicago Tribune about this.

Schilling says surgery not needed

There's been a lot of rumors today about Curt Schilling's shoulder. I've been holding off on this for a while till the man himself spoke. Schilling has said through his personal blog, that shoulder surgery is not needed and that he does not have a partially torn rotator cuff.

Many have said that Dr Craig Morgan has said the rotator cuff was torn and needed surgery. But according to Schilling, "I need to make it clear that Dr Morgan did NOT diagnose me with a tear of the rotator cuff at any time during this process, nor did he recommend rotator cuff surgery."

It is true he did seek a second opinion after the Boston Red Sox medical staff recommended rest and therapy. But after seeing an independent doctor for a third opinion, he decided that he would abide with the clubs wishes.

Stick situation there in Boston, after reading his blog you kind of get the feeling that he doesn't really know what he should do.

Eagles franchise Smith

The Philadelphia Eagles franchised tight end LJ Smith today. Kind of a surprise that they did due to his recent injury history. He's starting to becoming a walking MASH unit. BUT, with the franchise number for tight ends only being $4.5 million this becomes a reasonable decision. And if he for some reason decides to leave they'll save the money and get a decent draft pick in return.

Here's the most interesting part thou about this franchise designation. The Eagles aren't even attempting to negotiate with Smith on any long-term deal, like you would normally see in this situation. So it looks like the Eagles don't want to give up on LJ just yet, but they are definitely going to make him earn that long term deal.

Browns' Winslow wants a new deal

Cleveland Browns TE Kellen Winslow wants a new contract. Winslow is currently in Hawaii playing in his first career Pro Bowl and is letting it be known its time to re-negotiate. "When I got hurt (in 2005)the contract got re-negotiated so some things changed but I think I've proven these past two years that I'm one of the elite tight ends,'' Winslow said from the Pro Bowl in Hawaii. "My value on the field, they put in a nickel, an extra DB in the game, and that really changes the whole game. They have to guard me kind of like a wide receiver so, you know, yeah, gotta to get that new money. "

His agent, Drew Rosenhaus will be handling those negotiations. His current contract runs through 2010 and is very performance-based. in 2008 he's set to make $1 million, 2009 - $1.255 million, 2010 $1.4925 million. This past season Winslow had carrer highs with 1106 yards receiving and 5 touchdowns. His yardage set a team record for tight ends, and was third overall.

Time for a pay raise? Yea I'd say so putting up those kind of numbers. Statistically he did finish as the third best tight end in the NFL. But Winslow has been injury prone, offseason surgeries are starting to become the norm already for this young player. So i'd give him a raise, but not to much of one.

Angels rotation problems.

Injuries may be mounting in the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim rotation already. Starting pitcher Kelvim Escobar is saying that he is still experiencing shoulder pain. If you don't remember, Escobar was dealing with shoulder pain at the end of the 2007 season. Escobar recently started his 2008 throwing program before spring training and has said he still has the shoulder pain. Escobar underwent an MRI performed by Dr. Lewis Yocum that showed no significant changes in the shoulder. Even so, the Angels are progressing cautiously. Because of this the Angels will be bringing him along slowly in spring training.

This definitely is a cause for concern . Escobar hasn't thrown 200 innings since the 2004 season, so it's not like there has been considerable strain on his shoulder over the past couple years. And for him to take a few months off then still be experiencing these problems can't be good. The Angels first 3 spots in the rotation are still in good shape with John Lackey, Joe Saunders and Ervin Santana. There is very little depth after that thou. Escobar was slated to take the 2nd spot in the rotation right behind Lackey. If Escobar is unable to go to start the season, you could see Dustin Moseley beginning the year in the rotation.