Ben Maller’s Sports Rumors & Notes

Rumors Archive for June 29, 2007

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NBA Rumors & Notes

Friday, June 29, 2007

Because the Warriors also netted a $10 million trade exception from the Bobcats, they now become a major player in this summer's trade market. The Warriors now have the ability to absorb contracts up to $10 million while offering a team instant financial relief. ... Whether that means they can go after a player of Kevin Garnett's stature -- and salary -- while using the exception remains to be seen.

Trade talks for Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett shifted from a possible Phoenix destination, with the Dallas Mavericks seriously entering the discussions for the first time, according to a league source. The teams talked extensively Thursday but could not reach an agreement on specifics, according to another source.

The Magic are eyeing Seattle small forward Rashard Lewis, and he is eyeing them. This is where the Howard Era could take a turn. To land Lewis, the Magic will be competing against some of the greatest marquee recruiters in NBA history: Shaq, D-Wade, LeBron and some guy named M.J. According to those close to the situation, the Miami Heat, fueled by the star power of Shaquille O'Neal and Dwyane Wade; the Cleveland Cavaliers, led by LeBron James; and the Charlotte Bobcats, directed by managing member of basketball operations Michael Jordan, are the leading candidates wooing Lewis.

The Lakers aren't interested in trading Kobe Bryant despite his demand to be dealt, Mitch Kupchak said. Phil Jackson took it a step further. "In my heart of hearts, I believe that when it comes time in Hawaii for this team to step on the floor [for training camp], Kobe Bryant's going to be wearing a Laker uniform," Jackson said.

While numerous rumors swirled of a Nets deal with the Pacers for Jermaine O’Neal involving Richard Jefferson, one team source insisted there was nothing imminent.

According to one source, the Celts still aren’t sure whether they should close the door on a trade for Kevin Garnett, though Minnesota was looking for the fifth pick, as well as Jefferson, to make that work before last night.

Yi’s agent, Dan Fegan, was upset with the Bucks and indicated that Chinese basketball officials, who have the final word on releasing Yi, might block Yi from going to the N.B.A. Fegan said that perhaps a trade could be possible. He and Chinese basketball officials wanted Yi to play in a city with a large Chinese population. But Bucks GM Larry Harris said one existed an hour away — Chicago. Also Harris’s father, Del, was the coach of the Chinese national team at the 2004 Athens Summer Games and spoke extensively to Harris about this exciting, athletic talent who can run, jump, block shots and make 3-pointers.

Darko Milicic will test free agency after floating a trial balloon in Orlando. The courting period begins Sunday, with Smith on the clock.

The Suns have taken notice that Allan Houston is considering a comeback. The 36-year-old Houston was the league’s second-highest paid player last year ($20.7 million) but his $100 million deal will expire Sunday. He missed the last two seasons with chronic knee pain, but is feeling good. Money is not an issue, and Houston wants to play for a winner.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson said there is simply no trade value for Kobe Bryant, if things were to escalate that far. "There seems to be no quality, no value at all for what we expect for Kobe Bryant, and that's understandable," Jackson said. "Kobe's got to respect what this team has to do and we're trying to work our way through this."

Knicks coach Isiah Thomas' plan of trimming payroll has come to a screeching halt and jeopardizes any hope of pursuing LeBron James in three years. Randolph is scheduled to earn $63 million over the next four years while Francis, who did little in his 1-1/2 seasons in New York, has $34.3 million left on his contract, though that deal expires in two years.

Portland's selection of Greg Oden in Thursday evening's NBA draft probably means the Trail Blazers will trade former Gopher Joel Przybilla, who has $21 million guaranteed on the remaining three years of his contract.

While Ray Allen seemed to take the news in stride, others reacted harshly to the decision to jettison a classy player who has long been one of the NBA's top offensive players. "I'm sick to my stomach," former Sonics coach Bob Hill said when reached near his home outside San Antonio. "He doesn't deserve this. He's a consummate pro, a guy who has given so much to that community. "How do I feel? Awful for him, just awful." The reaction at the Sonics draft party at Fisher Pavilion was quite negative. When ESPN's Andy Katz announced the trade on three big-screen televisions, fans screamed in disapproval and threw trash, which was an expected reaction to the departure of a popular player. "It's obvious what they're trying to do," Hill said. "This was not a basketball move, this was a money decision. They wanted to get rid of Ray, get younger and get ready to move to Oklahoma next year. "This had nothing to do about getting better or about Ray. This was a business deal."

This Clippers pick deepens the intrigue concerning Corey Maggette, who has been frequently at odds with Dunleavy and who can opt out of his contract at the end of the 2007-08 season. "That wasn't a factor at all," General Manager Elgin Baylor said. "We were just looking to get a player of quality. Corey didn't enter our minds." Maggette could be part of a deal for a point guard.

Antonio McDyess notified the Pistons that he would be picking up his $6.3 million option and return to the team next season. "We analyzed everything," said Andy Miller, McDyess' agent. "At the end of the day, he decided that he was comfortable with the situation in Detroit and he wanted to repay the loyalty the Pistons have shown him." Miller said he expects to sit down with Dumars in July to try to hammer out an extension that would keep McDyess in Detroit through the 2009-10 season. McDyess, who will be 33 next season, averaged eight points and six rebounds last season.

On Sunday, the Bulls will make an offer to restricted free agent Andres Nocioni. The Bulls want to keep him and will present their offer and then see if a market develops. The Bulls have the right to match any offer Nocioni receives. Keeping Nocioni also would allow them to include him in a sign-and-trade scenario as part of any larger deals Paxson explores. Nocioni, who missed the majority of last season with plantar fasciitis in his right foot, is in Argentina.

The buzz from NBA draft headquarters in New York, and from elsewhere, was that the 76ers were trying mightily to get high enough in the first round to land, among others, Florida forward Joakim Noah or Chinese forward Yi Jianlian. Whatever rumors you might have heard concerning the 11 spots ahead of the Sixers' first pick, they were probably all true, at least to some degree. None of them worked. 76ers GM Billy King confirmed that Noah, who went No. 9 to Chicago, was one of the targeted players. "He was in the mix," King said.

The operating assumption has been that Jerry Sloan will return for a 20th season as Jazz coach, though Sloan cautioned reporters that he always could wake up one morning and change his mind. Owner Larry Miller took things a step farther in an interview with 1320 AM on Thursday. Miller was asked about Seattle's interest in assistant Tyrone Corbin for its head coaching job. "If he's got a shot at a head coaching job, he has to take it,'' Miller said, "because Jerry, we know, is back for next year and we don't know how many years after that."

Asked if he expected to be playing in Milwaukee next season, Yi said, "Yes, I think so." Yi, however, will not travel to Milwaukee today for the traditional post-draft news conference. Dan Fegan, one of Yi's representatives, declined to comment Thursday. Yi pointed out that the Bucks did not make a trip to China to watch him during the Chinese Basketball Association's regular season or playoffs when they would have had an opportunity to watch him play. "It's a surprise to me (to be drafted by the Bucks) because when I was in China, Milwaukee didn't come to watch me play or to work out," Yi said. Yi and his representatives are not necessarily down on Milwaukee but they view the Bucks as a bad fit for him because they already have Andrew Bogut and Charlie Villanueva - both young players - manning the power positions. Also, Yi had hoped to go to a city with a large Chinese population.

Asked if the deal leaves the Celts with just one point guard (Rondo), Danny Ainge noted that Sebastian Telfair, who was arrested this spring on gun charges, is still here. “Sebastian’s with our team right now,” Grousbeck said. “Sebastian’s on the roster. Sebastian and I talked shortly and had a discussion. It’s a long time ’til November. We’ll see what happens.”

The Knicks now have 16 players under contract, one more than the maximum. It would not be surprising if they waived Dan Dickau, who would be playing for his sixth team in five season. If he makes the team, Dickau could fulfill the Knicks’ need for a true point guard to spell Marbury. But counting Dickau and Fred Jones, the Knicks now have seven guards under contract. Dickau could be waived (he is owed $2.8 million next season) or packaged in another trade.

Miami could lose some significant personnel during the off-season. Forward James Posey, who earned $6.3 million last season, is an unrestricted free agent and is likely to leave for more money and a long-term contract. Forward Jason Kapono, who led the league in three-point percentage, earned $1.8 million last season and is also an unrestricted free agent. He could leave for more money. Payton isn't expected to return to the Heat and might retire, and veteran center Alonzo Mourning said in an e-mail Thursday he's still undecided whether he'd return next season. As an aside, guard Jason Williams is in the final year of an $8.9 million deal and might be popular around the February trading deadline as teams look to lop money off the salary cap. Pfund indicated on Tuesday the team isn't necessarily looking to replace Williams, who has been afflicted by knee problems. "The feeling there is Jason is back and hopefully is healthy and ready to go," Pfund said.

Rodney Stuckey was branded by one of the TV types a "poor man's Dwyane Wade." Lowering the hyperbole a tad, he actually might be a "young man's Chauncey Billups." Obviously, the Pistons aren't pushing out free agent Billups by drafting two 6-foot-5 guards, that's for sure. But Joe Dumars is pushing his veterans, trying to change plenty with his team even if he can't (and shouldn't) change everything. That's the concern this offseason. For all the talk of change, I wonder how much the Pistons are willing to do, or able to do.

Before the draft, there had been talk of the Nuggets moving a player to get into the draft. In fact, in the days leading up to the draft, the Nuggets were offered a second-round draft pick for guard Von Wafer, who signed with the organization late last season. But Denver refused the deal, opting to stick with a player they view as their second-round pick.

Joe Dumars said he wasn't close to making any deals on draft day, but indicated there could be some moves down the road. It seems improbable Flip Murray will be back, even though he exercised his option for his final year ($1.8 million).

The Blazers' NBA draft party Thursday at the Rose Garden was exactly that -- a big party -- as nearly 6,000 fans crammed into the Lexus Club Level, main concourse and arena. They were there to see whether the Blazers would take Greg Oden or Kevin Durant with the No. 1 pick, and the overwhelming majority did not leave disappointed. "It's a no-brainer, take Oden," screamed one fan, wearing a red No. 3 Damon Stoudamire Blazers uniform. About 4:37 p.m. -- just after fans in the arena stopped chanting, "We want Oden!" -- the Blazers gave them what they wanted, picking the Ohio State freshman with the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft. The selection of the 7-footer and potential franchise-changing center touched off a wild celebration on multiple levels of the Rose Garden. Fans charged onto the arena floor as if the Blazers had just won the NBA championship, jumping up and down, hugging and cheering. And two levels up, at the Lexus Club Level, fans screamed and exchanged high-fives.

Zach Randolph’s hefty contract all but guarantees the Knicks will be over the salary cap through 2011. Without the trade, the Knicks had a chance to get under the cap in 2009, when the contracts of Marbury and Francis expire. The deal reverses the Knicks’ more recent move toward fiscal restraint.

The Blazers were desperate to get rid of Zach Randolph, whose career in Portland was marked by prolific offense and a prolific amount of brushes with the law that included an arrest for possession of a firearm. His record dates to high school days with reports of shoplifting, battery and receiving stolen property. ... Ironically, when the Knicks visited Portland last season, the Blazers’ public-relations staff released a statement about a car registered to Randolph being stopped by police in which drugs were found. Also during the season Randolph was spotted at a Portland strip joint while he was on “bereavement leave” to attend a relative’s funeral - a transgression that further enraged the Portland fan base.

If you have uncertainties about the Celtics trade for Ray Allen, you have company. Though ready to do what is necessary, the former All-Star didn’t have an unabashed joy with the move. “I think it’s exciting,” Allen said late last night. “I’m excited about it. I won’t say whether I like it or dislike it. It’s a challenge for me. But, you know, people talk about being traded and I still get to play basketball and do the job I love. “I’m excited to be going back East and playing for a franchise that’s very rich in tradition.” Whether the Celts’ new setup with Allen and Paul Pierce [stats] on the wings will be rich in on-court chemistry remains to be seen, but Allen isn’t dissuaded by the apparent lack of defensive strength in the expected lineup. “I think basketball was meant to be played the way Phoenix plays the game,” he said. “You have a big guy get the rebound and get the ball out, and you try to beat the defense back and see who’s in shape and who’s out of shape. We’ll have guys who can shoot long range and guys who can go to the hole. That gives Doc (Rivers) options. “Defensively I’ve been part of teams that didn’t have great individual defenders, but we relied on each other. You look at San Antonio and you give a nod to Tim Duncan and Bruce Bowen, but they all cover for each other.”

The Clippers focused on the present, taking Al Thornton with the No. 14 overall pick instead of others who might need more seasoning to become NBA-ready performers, and they also moved to protect themselves if Corey Maggette terminates his contract after next season.

Wolves GM Kevin McHale was asked about Kevin Garnett. As in, what about those rumors? Those are fed by "you guys," he said, referring to the media. But after the Wolves made Brewer's teammate Chris Richard their second-round pick at No. 41, McHale was asked about whether the team would try to sign another Gator should Florida guard Taurean Green not get drafted (he did). "If we had more picks, we would have took [Al] Horford and [Joakim] Noah, too," McHale said. "We were working on that." That suggests, of course, that some of the rumored negotiations involving Garnett might have had some meat to them. McHale said he talked to Garnett's agent, Andy Miller, but wouldn't reveal the details. So will Garnett be with the team come October? "Kevin is a member of our team right now," McHale said. "I assume he'll be a member of the team this fall."

The Heat addressed its need for a backup shooting guard when it acquired Ohio State's Daequan Cook via a trade with Philadelphia in Thursday's NBA Draft. But there's some question as to whether Cook will be ready to contribute this season as a rotation player, and on Tuesday General Manager Randy Pfund said the team wanted an immediate return from its first-round selection. The Heat actually selected Colorado State center/power forward Jason Smith with its No. 20 pick. It sent Smith to Philadelphia in exchange for Cook, the 21st pick by the 76ers, a 2009 second-round pick, and cash considerations. Miami, which finished 44-38 last season, took Stanko Barac in the second round with the 39th pick.

Team officials denied a report in a Greek newspaper that said the Lakers had offered a contract to Theodoros Papaloukas, who is generally considered to be one of the best point guards in Europe. Papaloukas, listed at 6-7, was the Euroleague player of the year last season with CSKA Moscow.

Nick Young, whose playing style has been compared to explosive Knicks guard Jamal Crawford, is described as an athletic wing player who can create shots off the dribble and can make jump shots from three-point range. The Wizards have two free agent shooting guards in DeShawn Stevenson and Jarvis Hayes and are looking to add scoring punch to a bench that was the league's least productive last season. If Young breaks into Coach Eddie Jordan's playing rotation, he will also break a recent trend for the team's draft picks.

The midlevel exception likely will be close to $6 million. Available big men in that price range include P.J. Brown, longtime Bulls favorite Melvin Ely, Chris Mihm, Mikki Moore and Joe Smith.

This wasn't supposed to happen. The Hornets had the 13th pick in Thursday night's NBA draft, and Kansas forward Julian Wright was sixth on their draft board. In the past month, Wright's agent was so confident his guy would go in the top 10 that he declined a workout with the Hornets. But after a couple of surprise selections, Wright, 6 feet 8 and 225 pounds, was still available when the Hornets picked at 13. Hornets Coach Byron Scott called it "a gift." ... Wright, 20, is a talented athlete whose speed and passing ability is expected to fit in nicely with Scott's fast-paced offense. The Hornets' brass suggested Wright will primarily play small forward, but he has the ability to dabble with power forward or even shooting guard.

The Blazers plan to buy out Steve Francis, who wanted to be released by the Knicks. His departure is addition by subtraction. The failed Francis deal in February, 2006, was Isiah’s last trade. Francis has two years and $33 million left on his pact.

With the Grizzlies, Mike Conley joins last year's first-round pick Kyle Lowry and veteran Damon Stoudamire as the team's point guards. He's looking forward to competing with both for a starting job this season under new coach Marc Iavaroni. He's also looking to get used to playing with his new big man, Pau Gasol. "I like the situation a lot just because they're young,'' Conley said. ''They don't have too many veterans on the team to try to make you feel you're that much younger than them. Rudy Gay and a lot of the rookies from last year, a lot of guys that I can really get familiar with because they're around my same age. I think the transition will be a lot easier because of that.''

Nick Young is already familiar with Wizards all-star guard Gilbert Arenas. As a high schooler in Los Angeles, Young played on a summer league team coached by Gilbert Arenas Sr. and over the years, Young and the Arenas family crossed paths. Young certainly noticed that Arenas was in the building for his workout at Verizon Center this month. "Oh yeah, he was in there watching," Young said. "He probably had a word in there on making this happen." The Wizards selected Young over a handful of other players whom they worked out, including point guard Javaris Crittenton, who was taken by the Los Angeles Lakers at No. 19. With the 47th overall pick, the Wizards chose 6-8 forward Dominic McGuire, who averaged 13.5 points and 9.8 rebounds as a junior at Fresno State last season.

Isiah Thomas rarely hesitates to acquire troubled souls, or players with hefty contracts, which Zach Randolph also has. He is owed $61 million over the next four years. The Knicks will boast a physically imposing front line, pairing the 6-foot-9, 215-pound Randolph with center Eddy Curry, who is 6-11 and 285 pounds.

Greg Oden, from Indianapolis, is already getting a sense of the expectations back in his new home. “I was on the phone with the radio station back in Portland,” Oden said. “They said they stomped the floor like they won the N.B.A. championship once they called my name.”

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MLB Rumors & Notes

Friday, June 29, 2007

More and more, to Joe Torre and the front office, there is a sense that the season cannot be saved unless the existing players produce as expected. They are not seeking to make any significant trades, even one for first baseman Mark Teixeira of the Texas Rangers. The Yankees are no longer interested in trading for Teixeira, who is on the disabled list and will command a better offer than they will be willing to make.

Admitting he was "in a bad mood all day," Paul Lo Duca announced in a near-empty clubhouse last night - and on the eve of the Mets' key NL East showdown with the Phillies - that some of his Spanish-speaking teammates need to be held more accountable by the media. "I'll do this (interview), but you need to start talking to other players," Lo Duca announced loudly after he was approached by a radio reporter after the Mets-Cardinals series finale was washed out by rain. "It's the same three or four people every day. Nobody else wants to talk. Some of these guys have to start talking. They speak English, believe me." The fact that Lo Duca's words last night were directed more at his Spanish-speaking teammates' interaction with the media was a telling admission in one of the most diverse clubhouses in baseball. In recent games, SNY analyst Keith Hernandez also has singled out stars Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado for needing to take more responsibility and accountability about the team's June swoon.

When Seattle was in town recently, I asked Ichiro, through a Japanese reporter, if he'd be interested in spending some quality time at Wrigley Field (with the Cubs). The reporter told me Ichiro said he loves Wrigley Field, but thought the fans were a little too rough. In all probability he'll stay in Seattle.

Two sources familiar with the negotiations said the two sides were close to completing a four-year, $56 million contract that could make Mark Buehrle the highest-paid White Sox player annually at $14 million per year. One of the potential stumbling blocks, according to one of the sources, could be the Major League Baseball Players Association, which might hesitate to approve the deal because it believes Buehrle could command more on the free agent market this winter.

Scouts and club officials with other teams say that Reds General Manager Wayne Krivsky has made calls saying the Reds are looking to start dumping salary, ready to trade for top-shelf prospects as they peer toward the future. The guess is that there might be six players on the 25-man roster not included in trade talks: Aaron Harang, Homer Bailey, Josh Hamilton, Alex Gonzalez, Brandon Phillips and maybe Edwin Encarnacion.

The Royals were willing to take on outfielder Milton Bradley and his checkered reputation in an effort to bolster their erratic attack. Why not Shea Hillenbrand? Hillenbrand, 31, is expected to become available today — assuming the Angels follow through on announced intentions to designate him for assignment.

Jason Kendall is unlikely to be back in Oakland next year, much as Kendall hopes to return. "I love it here, I enjoy it here, I haven't made it a secret that I want to come back," Kendall said. "I'll worry about that in the offseason." Kendall has said he'd be willing to take a salary cut to do so, but he still wants to play every day, and it is clear that the A's have Kurt Suzuki penciled in for regular duty next season. In limited playing time since coming up June 10, Suzuki has hit .385.

TBS isn't worried about its newest analyst, debuting Sunday, showing up for work. Cal Ripken, in his first national TV job, appears on TBS' Major League Baseball All-Star Selection Show will appear alongside Tony Gwynn, another ex-player being inducted into baseball's Hall of Fame this summer. It will be the start of the new TBS baseball deal, in which it will air all first-round MLB playoff games and the National League's League Championship Series. (Fox will air the other LCS as well as the World Series.) Don't expect Ripken and Gwynn to debate the big issue Sunday: whether slugger Barry Bonds, despite concerns that he has used steroids, deserves to be named an All-Star. Gwynn, saying Bonds is "good for baseball," says he's "having the best year on his team." Ripken isn't worried that Bonds as an all-star might be giving kids the wrong idea: "I don't get so caught up in the suspicion and speculation. I'd like to assume everything is on the up and up."

Baseball sources said Phillies star Ryan Howard has been asked to defend his title in the Home Run Derby, even if he makes the National League roster. The decision is Howard's to make.

A decision looms. What to do with Anthony Reyes. The Cardinals starter slipped to 0-10 this season in a loss Wednesday night in a rain-shortened contest. ... With Braden Looper returning from the disabled list to start Sunday, the Cardinals have to make a roster move and have to remove a member of the rotation. Reyes does not have another start scheduled. "He pitched well enough (Wednesday) night that you would hope that he could get another opportunity," Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty said. "But he may not because of the numbers. We think very highly of Anthony and we believe he can have consistency and success at the major-league level. We have to decide how best to help him achieve that."

The Padres reached a preliminary trade agreement with the Oakland A's to acquire Milton Bradley, a fragile and volatile but talented outfielder. Bradley, a .271 career hitter, could be in left field for the Padres as soon as Sunday, if recovered from an injury that recently sidelined him. Bradley, 29, has batted .292 with two home runs this season; injuries have limited the switch-hitter to 65 at-bats. As part of the trade's terms, which as of last night were pending some minor details, the Padres will send a minor league pitcher to the A's.

The end could be near for Tony Armas. He might be the least of the Pirates' problems, having been relegated to mopup duty a month ago, but he also has been the least effective of their pitchers with a 8.92 ERA and nine home runs allowed in just 37 innings. Will he be released? There are signs that it could happen: For one, manager Jim Tracy has made clear he will not use Armas in any situations other than those similar to yesterday, where the Pirates are well behind in the score. For another, a team with the highest bullpen ERA in the National League can ill afford to carry a reclamation project all season, especially when it has seemingly superior pitching available with Class AAA Indianapolis.

At this point it would seem ridiculous to even talk about moving Carlos Zambrano, no matter what happens this weekend, because he's given every indication he wants to remain a Cub and now we're seeing the real Carlos Zambrano pitching again. Aramis Ramirez is going nowhere, but Ryan Dempster may be expendable if they think Carlos Marmol can fill his role. Dempster was pitching well before his oblique strain, and could draw plenty of interest.

GM Brian Cashman made it clear during an ESPN-1050 interview yesterday that he and Joe Torre could be on the firing line. "I think we are all, obviously, on watch," Cashman told Michael Kay. "I don't think anybody would deny that. I think right now with what is taking place with this club right now, I think everybody currently shouldn't feel very comfortable and I don't think anybody does. That's the bottom line." Told of Cashman's comments, Joe Torre said he didn't feel any additional pressure. "I don't sense that anybody is worried about coaches getting fired or players getting traded," Torre said. He later added that he hasn't heard a peep from George Steinbrenner during this recent skid.

The Yankees are leery of dipping into the depth they have built in their farm system to make a trade for short-term help. That explains their reluctance to jump at Los Angeles Angels first baseman Shea Hillenbrand, who was told he would be designated for assignment on Friday. The Yankees would take Hillenbrand, but only if the Angels paid almost all of his salary and accepted very little — probably a low-level prospect — in return. Hillenbrand is making $6 million this season and is batting .254, with an on-base percentage of only .275

The second federal prosecutor to oversee the investigation of Barry Bonds will leave the position next month, a spokeswoman for the United States attorney’s office for the Northern District of California said yesterday. Scott Schools, who took over as the chief federal prosecutor on an interim basis after the departure in January of Kevin V. Ryan, one of the United States attorneys fired by Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, has been nominated by the governor of South Carolina, Mark Sanford, to become the district attorney for two of that state’s counties.

The July 22 home game against the St. Louis Cardinals has been changed from a 1:05 p.m. start to 8:05 p.m. to accommodate ESPN, and the Braves weren't happy about it. They will fly to San Francisco immediately after the game to begin a four-game series with the Giants on July 23. It's the third Sunday game this season the Braves have been required to change to a night game for ESPN. "I can't believe this [stuff]," Bobby Cox said. "I mean, somebody's just not using their heads. You can't look at the schedule and say, 'There's got to be as good a game somewhere?'?"

2B/CF B.J. Upton is scheduled to be activated off the disabled list, though probably not until next week because the Rays want him to test his previously strained left quadriceps more rigorously. And though RHP Juan Salas is not expected to rejoin the bullpen Tuesday when his 50-game suspension ends, the Rays do have to reinstate him to the 40-man roster, which will require someone to be dropped. The harder Upton runs in minor-league games in Tampa the next two nights, the quicker he will get back to the majors. Upton, who was hitting .320, is expected to be used primarily at second base when he comes back, which makes it sound as if Jorge Cantu could be the one to go rather than fourth outfielder Dustan Mohr.

Cardinals utility fielder Scott Spiezio remained in a New York-area hospital Thursday night because of an infected left index finger. Team officials, including manager Tony La Russa, said Spiezio won't play this weekend and may not join the team in Cincinnati.

The Rays don't appear to have much interest in veteran reliever Roberto Hernandez, released Thursday by Cleveland.

A win in Seattle on Wednesday likely would have greatly helped Daisuke Matsuzaka’s chances of being named an All-Star. Instead, the no-decision left the rookie’s record at 9-5. As a result, Matsuzaka likely will stay on the proverbial bubble until player balloting is completed and AL All-Star manager Jim Leyland’s picks are unveiled Sunday. Working in Matsuzaka’s favor is the momentum from his red-hot June. Entering yesterday, the right-hander ranks 17th in the league in ERA (3.90) and third in strikeouts (110). Yet in five June starts, his ERA of 1.59 is the third best in the AL, and his 42 strikeouts are the most.

Bill Mueller, the Dodgers' interim hitting coach continues to weigh the lure of returning to his Scottsdale, Ariz., home to spend time with his family against the chance to help his employer revive a stagnant offense. "I'm still feeling it out," Mueller said after the Dodgers defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks, 9-5, on Thursday at Chase Field. Mueller, 36, said no revelations came to him while sleeping at home. "Not really," he said. "If this does turn into something long term, you just make adjustments and you find a way that you can all be together. We'll see how it goes and make that determination when the time comes." The Dodgers have displayed a bit more pop in their bats since Mueller replaced the fired Eddie Murray two weeks ago, but part of that could be attributable to the recent addition of hot-hitting rookie James Loney and outfielder Matt Kemp. The Dodgers are hitting .295 and averaging 4.7 runs under Mueller, an improvement over the numbers they posted (.261 average, 4.4 runs) this season under Murray.

Catcher Yadier Molina was activated from the disabled list, where he had been because of a broken left wrist. To make room for Molina on the 25-man roster, the Cardinals removed Kelly Stinnett and offered the veteran a spot in Class AAA Memphis if he wants it. The Cardinals would like to keep him in the system and have him return in September. Stinnett returned to his family in Arizona on Thursday. The Cardinals expected to hear his decision this weekend.

Who Knew? Since general manager Brian Sabean took control in San Francisco after the 1996 season, Pedro Feliz is the only player exclusively developed by the organization who has hit 20 home runs in a season.

This could be the winter the Giants finally decide to move on without Barry Bonds. If so, they have an important question to ask themselves. Who replaces his power? Bonds mused on the subject earlier this month. "I don't know, but they're going to miss me when I'm gone," he said, pointing out that free-agent hitters wouldn't sign with the Giants because of AT&T Park's pitcher-friendly dimensions. The next crop of free-agent hitters includes Andruw Jones, Torii Hunter and perhaps Alex Rodriguez, but the Giants know that writing the biggest check doesn't always get you the player. It's clear they must add punch from somewhere, whether Bonds returns or not. Among the 16 clubs in the National League, they rank 13th in home runs and 14th in slugging percentage. The lack of power helps to explain why they are 11 games under .500 and how a pitcher like Matt Cain could be 2-9 despite a 3.38 ERA. Even more alarming, Bonds (15) and Pedro Feliz (12) have combined to hit 43.5 percent of the team's home runs -- and both are impending free agents.

Veteran relief pitcher Eddie Guardado said Reds medical director Dr. Timothy Kremchek would examine his left forearm today. Guardado was scheduled to throw a live batting practice session Tuesday, but was held off the mound because of tightness in the forearm. The left-hander underwent Tommy John surgery in September.

Still, it doesn't appear likely that Brian Cashman plans to make any major moves by the trade deadline. The GM reiterated his plan to hang on to blue-chip prospects such as Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, Ian Kennedy and Jose Tabata, even if it means a bleaker fate for the 2007 Yankees - and ultimately, himself. Said Cashman: "I'm not being paid to save my job; I'm doing my job, which is to make the best decision-making you can on the current roster and at the same time with the health of the franchise's future (in mind)."

Scott Kazmir has won just five times in 17 starts this season, despite a respectable 4.26 ERA, and hasn't won at Tropicana Field since July 3, meaning he'll go more than a year, and 14 starts, without a home win because the Rays don't return until July 12. The consistent theme has been high pitch counts, as Kazmir has lasted six innings or less in his past five starts (averaging 113 pitches), and 10 total. The resulting lack of success is starting to wear on Kazmir and seemed obvious as he and the rest of the Rays packed for a challenging 10-game trip to Cleveland, Boston and Kansas City.

The Giants as sellers at the trade deadline? San Diego Padres general manager Kevin Towers will believe it when he sees GM Brian Sabean inside the Giants' clubhouse yanking uniform tops off the backs of his experienced players. "I've never known Sabes to be a seller," Towers said. "The type of franchise here, year in and year out, is a perennial contender. It's built to win. If they end up being sellers, I don't see it happening unless, at the deadline, they're still 10 or 15 games out. Definitely I think their hope is to be buyers." Perhaps, but with the trade deadline 33 days away, Giants players have not given management and ownership two hints that they can rise from their seemingly permanent home in the National League West cellar.

St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, who will manage the National League, asked Phils manager Charlie Manuel to join his staff after New York Mets manager Willie Randolph backed out because he is undergoing shoulder surgery. But Manuel also cannot attend because he has a personal commitment he cannot break. "I was quite honored for him to even ask," Manuel said of La Russa. "I totally wish that I could go." ... "Critics will always say things about you, but that's also part of having this job," Manuel said yesterday. "I love every one of our fans. I enjoy coming to the ballpark. I totally mean that. There are people who are going to say whatever they want about you, but most of the time those people don't really know you. You've got to be strong and overlook things. But I'm honored somebody like Tony thinks that much of me."

There are no signs of unrest within the Yankees front office, at least in terms of people losing their jobs. The hitting coach Kevin Long appears safe, as do Brian Cashman and Joe Torre.

Budding star and rookie-of-the-year candidate Troy Tulowitzki is the Rockies' shortstop for the present and future. But the man he supplanted is staging a career comeback. Colorado Springs Sky Sox shortstop Clint Barmes on Thursday was named a starter for the Pacific Coast League in the Triple-A All-Star Game, which is scheduled for July 11 in Albuquerque. Clint Barmes entered Thursday hitting .331 with three homers and 27 RBIs, good enough for fifth place in the PCL batting race.

General Manager Brian Cashman is considering almost anything at this point, and if the Yankees do not get Hillenbrand, they may turn to Shelley Duncan to see if he can help at first base. Duncan, the brother of Chris Duncan of the St. Louis Cardinals, is batting .302 with 19 home runs and 58 runs batted in for Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Torii Hunter, happy after hitting two home runs in the Twins' 8-5 victory over Toronto, looked into his locker and discovered a personally autographed Kevin Garnett basketball shirt with a message wishing Hunter and the Twins good luck on their big road trip starting tonight at Detroit. It was a unique item, with all of the talk about Garnett being traded and Hunter feeling convinced he will be leaving the Twins as a free agent after this season. "I mean sometimes you've got to move on and that's something that he probably needs to do," said Hunter about Garnett. "Somebody wants him and that's why he's in the trade talk, and I wish him the best no matter what. Garnett and me, we are friends."

How About That? The Dodgers announced that they will become the first sports franchise to surpass a cumulative attendance of more than 175 million during their game Tuesday against Atlanta at Dodger Stadium. The figure represents the number of fans who have attended Dodgers games since the National League began tabulating attendance in 1901.

In the scorching shadow of Pinnacle Peak in the Phoenix desert, Rod Beck was buried with baseball card replicas of him with his daughters Kelsey, 12, and Kayla, 13, etched into his crypt. Beck, 38, was found dead in his Phoenix home Saturday. The medical examiner is awaiting results of toxicology tests to determine a cause of death. Police do not suspect foul play. Among the mourners were former Cubs manager Dusty Baker, who managed Beck when they were with the San Francisco Giants; Giants owner Peter Magowan; Giants manager Bruce Bochy, who managed Beck in San Diego; Giants general manager Brian Sabean; Arizona Diamondbacks general partner Jeff Moorad; Major League Baseball vice president Laurel Prieb and former San Francisco teammates Matt Williams, Jeff Fassero, and San Diego pitcher Trevor Hoffman. "This is a sad day for all of us," said Bochy, who oversaw Beck's career resurrection with the Padres in 2003 when he saved 20 games. "I think of his family and his two daughters and he's too young to be leaving us now. But he certainly made an impact on everyone he touched."

Reliever Masumi Kuwata is still gathering information on the major leagues after spending 20 years in Japan, but his experience as a professional is becoming a sought-after item among the Pirates. "He's got a library of information, I'm sure, on 20 years of things he dealt with in Japan," manager Jim Tracy said Thursday. "What I'm very encouraged by, in a very small, subtle way, his professionalism is beginning to rub off a little bit. You can see conversations taking place. You can see some questions being asked. You love to see that. You encourage that."

Orioles interim manager Dave Trembley found out Wednesday that the job he waited his entire career for would likely last at least until August, when President of Baseball Operations Andy MacPhail said the Orioles may renew their search for a full-time replacement for the fired Sam Perlozzo. "I couldn't ask for a better situation," Trembley said. "To sit in this dugout the last couple nights and see all these people standing on their feet cheering for the Orioles, my goodness sakes, people wait a lifetime for those kind of experiences. And I've been fortunate enough to get them.

The Pirates released Alay Soler, a pitcher they signed in spring training after the New York Mets released him. Soler, 26, had a 6.00 ERA in 14 appearances with Class AA Altoona.

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NFL Rumors & Notes

Friday, June 29, 2007

QB Chris Simms is asked if he would've signed a two-year, $5-million extension with the Bucs last December had he known all that would transpire during this turbulent offseason? "I don't know. I would've definitely re-evaluated the situation, " Simms said. ""That's an honest answer." Instead, Simms is regaining the throwing mechanics he lost after developing some "bad habits" while unconsciously trying to protect his abdomen. And the 26-year-old lefty has an uphill battle to reclaim his job from 37-year-old Eagles free agent Jeff Garcia, who has been declared the leader in the clubhouse by coach Jon Gruden. "But the bottom line is when it came time to re-sign and do that, (Garcia) wasn't here and I know I've loved it here up to this point and just can't see being anywhere else, " Simms said. "That's the whole reason my wife and I decided we wanted to stay here."

Dolphins quarterback Daunte Culpepper will have his grievance against the Dolphins heard by an arbitrator today in New York. However, a verdict is not expected to come immediately. Instead, it likely will take between one and two weeks for an arbitrator to decide if the Dolphins can keep Culpepper without giving him repetitions. The team is willing to hold onto Culpepper while seeking a trade through training camp unless told otherwise.

From the sounds of it, Asante Samuel appears to be losing patience on a daily basis with the Patriots, which is no surprise when everyone's contract is up for renewal, excluding Tom Brady, of course. Samuel wants to be paid among the best cornerbacks in the NFL, nearing the $9 million to $10 million per season over five or six years. ... From the Patriots perspective they want Samuel in a more manageable, $6 million to $7 million range, over three or four seasons. Here's the problem for Samuel: The Patriots have all of the power. The team put the much heralded/hated "franchise" tag on him in March, guaranteeing him $7.79 million for the 2007 season (it is the average of the top five paid cornerbacks in 2006). He becomes a free agent after the season, unless the Patriots choose to "franchise" him again, which would probably see his salary near $10 million for 2008.

Pro Football Talk reports that a growing number of NFL management types are in favor of launching a minor league system. The value is that the players would be able to fully participate in the offseason program, and then get live game reps during football season, at a time when they otherwise would be hanging around and waiting for guys on the 53-man roster to get hurt. The teams would be based in cities that don't currently have NFL teams, and every team would allocate its practice squad to the minor league. With 32 NFL franchises having eight guys on their practice squads, that's 256 players right out of the gates. The rest of the minor league could be made up of guys who have yet to make the cut in the pros, and who otherwise might be fodder for the soon-to-be-former NFL Europa. Eight teams would be an ideal starting point, and the games could be played in the middle of the week. Since Tuesday and Wednesday evenings typically feature no college or pro football broadcasts, a middle-of-the-week television schedule would be ideal.

The question of how Randy Moss will mesh with the Patriots is sure to remain a compelling one until the games actually begin. According to a pro scout who has watched Moss extensively throughout his career, one of his greatest attributes also ranks among his least publicized - his ability to read defenses. “It’s kind of interesting, because I hear people say he doesn’t know how to run routes and all this other stuff,” said the scout, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “But he’s one of the few guys I know of in this league who when defenses line up, he knows what coverage it is.” ... If Moss is as advanced in that area as the scout believes, he should fit right into a Patriots offense that requires its receivers to read and react in sync with quarterback Tom Brady. “Watch out,” the scout said. “If the guy sitting next to him in the locker room is the guy I think it is, then Randy’s probably going to get a lot of opportunities and things will be good.”

Some National Football League owners want to close the NFL's six-team European developmental league because it's losing too much money, said Kansas City Chiefs President Carl Peterson. NFL Europa, which began operating in its current format in 1995, plays its season from April to June and offers teams an opportunity for young players to gain experience. Peterson said that outweighs the losses, which he said averaged $500,000 for each of the NFL's 32 clubs. ``We're not in a place, very frankly, where we're breaking even,'' Peterson said in an interview. He said NFL teams will be studying financial reports before making any decisions.

Who Knew? The Cardinals have been 22nd or worse in scoring defense in 11 of the last 12 years (29th in 2006).

Who Knew? Michael Vick led the Falcons in rushing in seven games last year. Six of those games were losses.

How About That? In 15 years with the Packers, Brett Favre has only endured one losing season.

Did You Know? Fearless (and felonious) Pacman Jones of the Titans had as many punt returns for touchdowns (3) as he did fair catches.

Running back Jason Snelling, the Falcons' seventh-round draft choice, signed a four-year contract with the team Thursday. "I can just focus on football, making the team and playing the game," Snelling said. Snelling, who played both running back and fullback at the University of Virginia, became the Falcons' second of 11 2007 draft picks to sign. Linebacker Stephen Nicholas, a fourth-rounder, signed on June 15th. Terms of Snelling's contract were not disclosed.

Pro Football Talk reports it appears that the Houston Texans are having trouble selling their season tickets. Currently, "less than 2,000" are available, which means that as many as 1,999 are left -- despite the prior existence of a "priority wait list." So the inference that can be drawn is that, after a chunk of last year's season-ticket holders passed on renewing and after the folks on the waiting list got their chance to buy tickets, th