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.

Cassell looking to head for Boston.

Sam Cassell wants to play for a championship with the Boston Celtics and he's letting everyone know it. The problem? He's under contract with the Los Angeles Clippers for one more season. To be able to play for the Celtics, Cassell would need the Clippers to buy out the rest of his contract. He's currently making $6.15 this year in his final season with the Clippers.

Cassell has told the Boston Globe that his agent, David Falk, has been in contact with Clippers about a buyout. When asked if the Clippers would buy out a player, Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy, Sr., said: “That’s not our stance.”

Boston coach Danny Ainge, will not comment on any other team's players, obviously due to league rules. But Ainge has said he is interested in finding “the right veteran point guard”.

What happens? Who knows, personally I hope Cassell has to stay in Los Angeles. You signed a contract with the Clippers cause you wanted the money. Man up and live up to your responsibilities there. Don't know change and say I have enough money I just want to win. If you wanted to win you wouldn't of joined the Clippers.

No trading of Sabathia.

The Cleveland Indians have decided against trading star pitcher CC Sabathia before his free agency begins. For Indians fans this could be a good and a bad thing.

The Good - You get Sabathia on the mound this entire season, and against the mighty Tigers you're team will need the ace presence. If he did leave via free agency, the team will receive a few draft picks from the signing team.

The Bad - Well there is much more of these. Following the deal Johan Santana just received from the New York Mets, its highly unlikely Sabathia decides to stay in Cleveland for less money. We all know the Indians will not poney up over $20+ million. By not trading him, they also wont receive a truck load of mid to top-flight prospects like the Twins did. If they let him walk , yes they get draft picks, but the baseball draft is a crap shoot and quite often you have to wait a few years before the player is even ready to play in the majors.

In the end thou I like what the Indians are doing for this season. Having Sabathia on the mound gives this team the best chance at making the playoffs, no matter what kind of trade they can make. And GM Mark Shapiro said it best, "I can't present you with a scenario where it's acceptable to us or to our relationship with our fans that involves trading C.C. or examining trading him." What's this a team caring about their fans? Good job by Shapiro showing they have the fans interest in mind. If thats fully true thou, they'll find the money to keep this ace in Cleveland for a long time.

Tigers lock up Granderson.

The Detroit Tigers continue to build their young talented team for the long haul. Today, the Tigers locked up OF Curtis Granderson to a long-term deal. Granderson received a 5-year contract. Exact terms of the deal have not been disclosed, but ESPN reports its a 5-year deal worth up to $30.25 million plus an option year.

The surprising part is Granderson wasn't even eligible for arbitration yet, so essentially this deal buys out his first two years of free agency wouldn't even take place till 2011. This deal will most likely be very back loaded with the amount of money the Tigers are putting out this year. Only thing Granderson really needs to improve is his hitting against left handed pitchers. As he has plenty of speed and power, and is pretty good in the field as well.

Juan Gonzalez returns?

Today the St. Louis Cardinals signed OF Juan Gonzalez to a minor league contract. Yes, that Juan Gonzalez. Even with it being just a minor league contract, I'm glad the rumors about my Yankees making a deal with him aren't true. Gonzalez is going to be given a chance at the last outfield spot for the Cardinals competing with Ryan Ludwick. Ludwick did bat .267 last season in 303 at bats. Gonzalez last effective season was 5 years ago, and that was only half a season!

So I'd say Gonzalez is cut 2 to 3 weeks into spring training, and Ludwick keeps his job.

Bedard to Seattle in final stages.

It looks like the long rumored Erik Bedard trade between the Baltimore Orioles and Seattle Mariners is almost complete. According to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, "Mariners outfielder Adam Jones traveled to Baltimore on Sunday, a source said, presumably to undergo a physical examination that originally was scheduled for Jan. 29."

In the deal Bedard would go to Seattle while the Orioles would receive OF Adam Jones, left-handed reliever George Sherrill as well as minor league pitchers Chris Tillman, Kam Mickolio and Tony Butler. Pretty good haul for the Orioles i would say, but yet very high risk.

Tillman, 19, has been regarded as one of the organization's top prospects since the Mariners made him a second-round selection in 2006. Mickolio, an 18th-round pick in the same draft, made it to Triple-A last season at age 23. Butler, a lefty, allowed less than a hit per inning at Class A Wisconsin last season at age 19. If just one of these pitchers wound up succeeding in the bigs, the Orioles would receive at least 3 quality major league ball players.

For those who have been hiding under a rock and don't understand why so much for Bedard, it's pretty simple. Bedard, 28, is one of the best young left handed pitchers in baseball. Bedard was 13-5 and struck out 221 batters in 182 innings last season while also missing a month because of an oblique injury. He was a Cy-Young candidate before his injury, has a 95-mph fastball and most importantly dominates AL hitters, especially Yankees and Red Sox hitters which could fare well if the Mariners make the playoffs. And he still can't become a free agent for 2 more years.

With King Felix Hernandez and Bedard at the top of the rotation things are definitely looking bright in Seattle. In Baltimore, well who knows what is going on there, except looking towards the future year in and year out. No doubt in my mind they take the cellar dweller spot in the AL East next year.

Greene and Padres avoid arbitration.

The San Diego Padres avoided arbitration with their young up-and-coming SS Khalil Greene. Greene gave up his final 2 years of arbitration and signed a 2-year $11 million guaranteed contract. He can also earn more on performance based bonuses.

Originally Greene was seeking only $4.9 million in arbitration, while the Padres were offering $4 million. The contract calls for the shortstop to make $4.5 million in 2008, and $6.5 million in 2009. The Padres were looking to make this a 3 or 4 year deal but Greene refused to give up his first years of free agency.

Even without locking him up to a longer deal, this deal is pretty fair for both sides. Greene gets middle ground for 2008 between what both sides were offering, and gets a size-able raise for 2009. On the Padres end, they risk the possibility of having to pay even more more in 2009 if he has a big season. And who knows maybe Greene remembers this gesture of loyalty when he becomes a free agent after the '09 season.

Greene recently was the Padres' MVP in 2007, when he hit .254 and set career highs in games played (153), runs (89), hits (155), doubles (44), homers (27) and RBI (97) and posted the highest fielding percentage (.984) among National League shortstops who played in 108 or more games. Greene also ranked 2nd amongst NL SS's in RBIs and doubles, while finishing 3rd in homers.

Breaking News!! Saints player stabbed!

According to Adam Schefter of NFL Network, New Orleans Saints DE Charles Grant was stabbed in the neck during a Saturday night fight in an Atlanta nightclub. During the fight, a woman was also shot and killed. There aren't many details at this time, but Grant is expected to fully recover from his stab wound. Details will follow, as the situation unfolds and more information is released.

Ravens after McNabb?

A new report from ESPN's Chris Mortensen says that the Baltimore Ravens are "seriously considering" pursuing Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb. It is well known that the Ravens have to seriously upgrade their quarterback situation. And it is also believed by many that the Eagles need to trade McNabb for the team to go forward. So in the end there is no surprise that these rumors are starting to pop up.

Any deal for McNabb would have to start with the Ravens giving up their #8 pick in the first round. The Eagles could use this pick to upgrade any one of many needs on this team, including wide receiver, defensive end, or offensive tackle. And that pick would just be the start of the huge package the Eagles would want in return.

The Ravens are also considering Cleveland Browns QB Derek Anderson. I know you're thinking didn't the Browns just give Anderson a long-term extension? Yes thats true but remember they have last years #1 pick Brady Quinn waiting in the wings and making a LOT of money himself. So someone is going to have to go.
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Plax will play!!!!

In no surprise, Plaxico Burress will be starting today for the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII. Yes, Burress was listed as questionable all week on the injury report. Yes, Burress once again did not practice all week until Saturday's walk through. But any NFL fan, Giants fan, or New England Patriots fan really thought this guy was not going to play in the biggest game of his career is just an idiot.

The media did a great job hyping up his ankle injury all week, like they've done all season. But as most Giants fans, and NFL people should know he hasn't practiced all season why would this week be any different? Oh well guess there weren't enough sound bytes of players creating drama, so the media had to jump on something.

GO BIG BLUE!