TRADES

– The Twins have acquired RHP Matt Capps from the Nationals for C Wilson Ramos. The 22-year-old catcher hit .296/.321/.407 with three doubles in seven games for the Twins back in early May but he has a .625 OPS in 278 at-bats for Rochester. Ramos is a defensive rock and posted impressive numbers in a short stint with the Twins in May while Joe Mauer was nursing an injury. He’s struggled a bit at Triple-A Rochester this season, but the 22-year-old has plenty of room to grow and should do just that in the Nationals’ system. Minnesota has had interest in Capps for some time and is now more confident about acquiring a reliever than a starter. Twins assigned a scout to follow Toronto’s relievers. He earns a base salary of $3.5M this year ($1.3M remains) and can be retained as an arbitration-eligible player for 2011, though he’s expected to get a raise. Capps will become the closer, with RHP Joe Rauch moving to setup man. Nonetheless, I give the winning nod to the Nats.

– The Padres have acquired 3B Miguel Tejada from the Orioles for RHP Wynn Pelzer and cash considerations. The 24-year-old Pelzer is a power pitcher whose fastball sits in the mid-90s. As a starter, he has a 4.20 ERA with 7.9 K/9 and 5.3 BB/9 in AA this year, but could become a future closer. Tejada is owed $2M for the remainder of the season.

– The Blue Jays have traded INF Brett Wallace to the Astros for OF Anthony Gose. Wallace, originally a utility infielder, appears to be stuck at first base for now. Gose, 19, is a potential Gold Glove-winning outfielder with tremendous speed and defensive skills. His career potential has been compared to that of Rays’ OF Carl Crawford. Gose stole 76 bases two seasons ago.

– The Rangers have acquired 3B Jorge Cantu and $600K from the Marlins for RHP Evan Reed and RHP Omar Poveda. Cantu, 28, has 10 homeruns and is batting .259/.308/.408 this season. He becomes a free agent at seaason’s end.The 28-year-old becomes a free agent after the season and has said he would like to sign with the Marlins. At this point, the club is considering multi-year deals Reed, 24, has posted a 1.76 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over 41 innings this season between Double-A and Triple-A. Poveda, 27, is currently on the DL recovering from Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery. Cantu will give the Rangers a solid right-handed bat for the stretch run.

– The Phillies have acquired RHP Roy Oswalt and $11M from the Astros for LHP J.A. Happ, INF Jonathan Villar and OF Anthony Gose. The Astros will pay $11M of the approximately $23M left on Oswalt’s contract through 2011. Oswalt did not demand that his 2012 mutual option for $16M be picked up by the Phillies, but he would receive extra compensation if or when the Phillies decline. The 32-year-old ace leaves Houston with a 3.24 career ERA and a 143-82 career record, just one win shy of the franchise’s all-time leader Joe Niekro. The Phillies look dangerous with a Halladay-Oswalt-Hamels 1-2-3 punch.

– The Braves acquired 2B Michael Noboa from the D’Backs for a PTBNL.

– The Tigers have acquired 3B Jhonny Peralta and cash from the Indians for minor league LHP Gionvanni Soto. The Tigers have now addressed their vacancy at third base, though Peralta has hit just .246 this season with a .698 OPS, seven home runs and 43 RBI. Soto is a 19-year-old left-handed prospect who has had some success at the Single-A level.

– The Dodgers have acquired OF Scott Podsednik from the Royals for a minor leaguer C Lucas May and RHP Elisaul Pimentel. The Dodgers beat out the division-rival Giants to land Podsednik, who has hit .310/.353/.400 with five homers, 44 RBI and 30 stolen bases in 390 at-bats for the Royals. The speedster will be highly useful to the Dodgers. The acquisition crowd the LA outfield for the long run, but for right now, with Johnson and Ramirez on the DL, it works well.

– Cubs’ 1B Derrek Lee has vetoed a trade to the Angels by invoking his 10-and-5 rights, a form of a no-trade clause given to players who have played for at least 10 years and the last five with their current team. Lee, who has a full NTC in his contract, is due just under $5M for the remainder of the season and indicated he wanted to finish the year with the Cubs. He will be a free agent at the end of the season. Lee entered Wednesday’s action hitting .248 with 11 home runs and 44 runs batted in.

RUMOURS

– Rockies’ OF Brad Hawpe. In: Padres, White Sox, Tigers. Chicago’s interest lies on Nats’ 1B Adam Dunn, while the Padres are believed to be less interested after acquiring 3B Miguel Tejada. Hawpe, 31, has about $2.8M remaining on his contract this year and will earn $10M in 2011 unless his team buys him out for $500K, as expected.

– Brewers: Pulled OF Corey Hart and 1B Prince Fielder off the block because they feel they are too close to contention to sell, despite being 48-55 and nine games out of first place in the NL Central.

– Nationals’ 1B Adam Dunn. In: Rays, White Sox, Tigers. Out: Yankees, Giants. Three-way scenarios involving the Nationals, White Sox, Diamondbacks and RHP Edwin Jackson. Dunn is batting .275 this year with a .916 OPS and 23 homers. The Giants have minimal interest in Dunn at the current asking price.

– Astros’ 1B Lance Berkman (NTC) (acquired Wallace to replace him). In: White Sox. According to the NY Post, the Astros have been given the go-ahead by a high-ranking executive that they can move Berkman and begin the rebuilding phase. The White Sox have expressed interest, but only as a backup plan if they fail to acquire Nats’ 1B Adam Dunn. Berkman is batting .245/.372/.436 with 13 homers and 49 RBI in 298 at-bats this year. About $5.4M remains on Berkman’s $14.5M salary this season. The Astros hold a $15M option for next year, but they can buy it out for $2M.

– Cubs’ LHP Ted Lilly. In: Phillies, Dodgers and Tigers. Out: Mets, Twins (no-trade list). Lilly has $4M+ remaining on his contract for the rest of the season. Lilly, 34, has posted a 3.69 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 18 starts this season.

– D’Backs’ C Chris Snyder, RHP Edwin Jackson. In: Nationals, White Sox, Red Sox. Trying to move both contracts without taking on any salary. Snyder makes $4.75M this year ($1.8M remains) plus $5.75M next year and either $6.75M or a $750K buyout in 2012.  Jackson makes $4.2M this year ($1.6M remains) plus $8.35M next season before hitting free agency. Jackson’s 5.16 ERA and 13 wild pitches. Snyder, 29, is hitting .231/.352/.426 with 10 homers this year.

– Cubs’ LHP Tom Gorzelanny. In: Mets.

– Red Sox’ SS Jed Lowrie. Out: Padres.

– Padres: searching for outfielders.

– Orioles’ 3B Ty Wigginton. In: Twins, Phillies and Giants.

– Jays’ LHP Scott Downs. Jays have asked the Yankees for either RHP Joba Chamberlain or C Jesus Montero in exchange for LHP Scott Downs. Have asked the Red Sox for prospect INF Casey Kelly or INF Jose Iglesias for Downs. Mets turned down a deal that would have sent prospect OF Kirk Nieuwenhuis plus another prospect. Downs is hitting .185 against lefties this season. Downs owed $4M this season, free agent in 2011.

– Jays’ OF Jose Bautista. In: Phillies, Tigers, Braves, White Sox, Giants.

– Astros’ RHP Brett Myers. Out: Mets.

– Brewers’ OF Jim Edmonds: multiple teams.

– Angels potentially shopping OF Bobby Abreu, LHP Brian Fuentes, OF Hideki Matsui, and 2B Maicer Izturis might interest contenders. Abreu, Fuentes, and Matsui could be moved via waiver wire in August. Abreu is signed at $9M for next year and may have another $9M salary vest for 2012 and is hitting just .253/.347/.416 with 12 homers and 56 RBI over 380 at-bats this season.. Fuentes has been homer-prone and has over $3M left on his contract. Matsui’s market is limited by his DH profile, though he has tallied 122 innings in left field this year. *UPDATE* The Angels will not be selling at the deadline, as they believe they have a shot at the playoffs despite being 8.5 games back in the AL West and 12.5 games back in the hunt for the Wild Card.

– Indians are NOT shopping RHP Fausto Carmona. He’s potentially under team control through 2014.

– Yankees NOT shopping for a catcher.

– The NY Post reports that the Rays, Twins and Phillies are the most motivated buyers, while the Cubs, D’Backs and Blue Jays are the most motivated sellers.

– Mets may shop OF Jeff Francoeur after the non-waiver trade deadline.

– Yankees inquire: Scott Downs, Ty Wigginton

– Red Sox inquire: Rafael Perez, Will Ohman, Mike Gonzalez, Matt Capps, Michael Wuertz, Craig Breslow, Sean Marshall, Kerry Wood, David Aardsma, and Kyle Farnsworth.

– Rockies inquire: 2B Ryan Theriot.

VoV

Marc Valeri – captaincharisma@hotmail.com
VoV – www.voiceofvaleri.com
Add me on Facebook at Facebook.com/VoiceofValeri
Add me on Twitter at Twitter.com/VoiceofValeri
Join the VoV Forums
Ask me anything on FormSpring
Get VoV RSS feeds
Become a Fan of VoV on Facebook
Join the VoV Facebook Group

NFL

– The Broncos have signed the No. 25 overall pick QB Tim Tebow to a 5-year/$33M deal with $8.7M guaranteed. Tebow was believed to be holding out for more money than Cowboys’ No. 24 pick Dez Bryant, and it turns out that he did receive the “quarterback premium.” His guaranteed portion comes in at $400K above Bryant’s total. Tebow signed in plenty of time to get comfortable with Josh McDaniels’ offense throughout camp. Though he’ll spend his rookie season developing behind Kyle Orton, there’s a decent chance the offense will be his as soon as 2011.

– UFA DE Shawne Merriman does not plan to show for the beginning of training camp. Merriman, who wants assurances that he will not be traded, is in denial about the current state of his career. “I’m only coming back to be the guy on the defense. I’m not coming back to be a guy. I want to be on a team where someone is going to be building a defense around me.” Teams don’t build defenses around pass rushers with four sacks in two seasons. Merriman has no leverage right now.

– Super Bowl XLII hero WR David Tyree will retire after signing a one-day contract with the Giants. Tyree played five seasons with the Giants, mostly as a special teamer, but his career will always be defined by his “helmet catch” that led directly to one of the greatest Super Bowl upsets of all time. Along with the “Immaculate Reception,” Tyree’s catch will go down as perhaps the most memorable playoff moment in NFL history.

– The Eagles have signed the No. 13 overall pick DE Brandon Graham to a 5-year contract. The Eagles gave up the No. 24 pick and two 3rd-rounders to trade up for Graham, a former Michigan star who was named MVP of the Senior Bowl. Graham is a solid pass-rusher.

– Redskins’ DE Albert Haynesworth failed his conditioning test Thursday, according to FoxSports.com’s Jay Glazer. Haynesworth reportedly “killed” the first portion of the test before walking through the second portion. According to the Washington Post, Haynesworth “apparently” needed a bathroom break during the second portion of his conditioning test Thursday, explaining his failure to finish. The test consisted of two grueling 300-yard shuttle runs – he aced the first, but walked through the second, in apparent need of a bowel movement. Haynesworth will not be allowed to practice until he completes both runs. By all accounts, he’s in good shape, so he should be fine on Friday’s retake.

– The Texans have signed No. 58 overall pick RB Ben Tate to a multi-year deal. His stock flew with a stellar performance at the Combine in February. He also missed the majority of OTAs with a hamstring injury. While he’s the future in Houston’s backfield, he’ll enter training camp behind Arian Foster and Steve Slaton. He’s expected to fill the void on early-down and short-yardage situations.

NBA

– The death of Lorenzen Wright is being investigated as a homicide by police, and the Shelby County medical examiner’s office reported that he died of a gunshot wound. Details are hard to come by, but it is known that a 911 hangup call was made from his cell phone on July 19 near the place his body was found. Wright had a 13-year NBA career that included stints with the Grizzlies, Hawks, Kings, Cavs, and the Clippers, who made him the No. 7 overall pick in 1996.

MLB

– Rangers’ GM Jon Daniels said 2B Ian Kinsler (groin) will likely return in “mid-to-late-August.” He’s been limited to just 76 of the team’s 101 games this season and hasn’t lived up to expectations when he’s been on the field.

– Phillies’ LHP Jamie Moyer (left elbow) will not require surgery but is expected to miss the rest of the season. Moyer met with Dr. Lewis Yocum in LA on Wednesday after being diagnosed with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament and a strained tendon in his elbow. He has not announced if he will pitch next season.

VoV

Marc Valeri – captaincharisma@hotmail.com
VoV – www.voiceofvaleri.com
Add me on Facebook at Facebook.com/VoiceofValeri
Add me on Twitter at Twitter.com/VoiceofValeri
Join the VoV Forums
Ask me anything on FormSpring
Get VoV RSS feeds
Become a Fan of VoV on Facebook
Join the VoV Facebook Group

MLB

– The Phillies have acquired RHP Roy Oswalt and $11M from the Astros for LHP J.A. Happ, INF Jonathan Villar and OF Anthony Gose. The Astros will pay $11M of the approximately $23M left on Oswalt’s contract through 2011. It turns out that Oswalt did not demand that his 2012 mutual option for $16M be picked up by the Phillies, but he would receive extra compensation if or when the Phillies decline. The 32-year-old righty leaves Houston behind with a 3.24 career ERA and a 143-82 lifetime record, just one win shy of the franchise’s all-time leader Joe Niekro. With Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels and Oswalt, the Phillies immediately have the best 1-2-3 punch in all of the NL, if not all of baseball. If the Phillies make the playoffs again, they’ll be positively scary.

– Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Rangers have acquired 3B Jorge Cantu and $600K from the Marlins for RHP Evan Reed and RHP Omar Poveda. Reed, 24, has posted a 1.76 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over 41 innings this season between Double-A and Triple-A. Poveda, 27, is currently on the DL recovering from Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery. Cantu will give the Rangers a solid right-handed bat for the stretch run.

– The Padres have acquired 3B Miguel Tejada from the Orioles for RHP Wynn Pelzer and cash considerations. The 24-year-old is a power pitcher whose fastball sits in the mid-90s. As a starter, he has a 4.20 ERA with 7.9 K/9 and 5.3 BB/9 in AA this year, but could become a future closer. Tejada is owed $2M for the remainder of the season.

– The Blue Jays have traded INF Brett Wallace to the Astros for OF Anthony Gose. Wallace, originally a utility infielder, appears to be stuck at first base for now. Gose, 19, is a potential Gold Glove-winning outfielder with tremendous speed and defensive skills. His career potential has been compared to that of Rays’ OF Carl Crawford. Gose stole 76 bases two seasons ago.

– Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Astros are now fielding offers for 1B Lance Berkman. The Astros acquired a replacement for Berkman when they flipped OF Anthony Gose to Toronto on Thursday for 1B Brett Wallace. The 34-year-old Berkman is sure to draw interest from multiple contending teams. He’s batting .245/.372/.436 with 13 homers and 49 RBI in 298 at-bats this year. Berkman has a NTC and can veto any deal. About $5.4M remains on Berkman’s $14.5M salary this season. The Astros hold a $15M option for next year, but they can buy it out for $2M.

– Buster Olney of ESPN.com hears that the White Sox and Yankees are “out of the mix” for Nationals’ 1B Adam Dunn. The Nats’ demands are known to be sky-high and, though interest has been strong, no team yet has been able to find a match. Maybe GM Mike Rizzo is still hoping to sign Dunn to a contract extension, or perhaps he will be satisfied with draft picks if the the big man heads elsewhere this offseason. Dunn is batting .275 this year with a .916 OPS and 23 homers. The Rays are considered the frontrunners, while the Giants remain in the running.

– The Orioles have hired Buck Showalter to be their next manager. He’ll officially take over next Tuesday, when the Orioles kick off a seven-game homestand against the Angels. Showalter has been the favourite all along, so it was really just a matter of when. Showalter, 54, is 882-833 over 11 seasons as a manager in the big leagues. Showalter had been working as a baseball analyst for ESPN.

NHL

– The Thrashers have signed F Andrew Ladd to a 1-year/$2.35M deal. The 24-year-old native of Maple Ridge, B.C. had 17 goals and 21 assists for the Hawks last season, putting up three goals and three assists in the post-season en route to the championship. Ladd had filed for salary arbitration after earning $1.65M last season. Ladd scored 17 goals and 38 points in 82 games in 2009-10.

– The Sens have re-signed F Peter Regan to a 2-year deal. The 24-year-old played his first full NHL season with the Senators in 2009-10, tallying 13 goals and 29 points in 75 games.

NBA

– The Knicks have reportedly extended an offer to G Shannon Brown, who is still considering a return to the Lakers. The Lakers are well over the luxury tax, so moving Vujacic’s $5.4M salary would ease the tax hit associated with keeping Brown.

NFL

– The Steelers have signed OT Flozell Adams on a multi-year deal. Great news for the ground attack. The Steelers had no realistic option to step in for injured RT Willie Colon, so the 35-year-old Adams fills a major vacancy up front.

– The Falcons have signed No. 19 overall pick OLB Sean Weatherspoon to a 5-year/ $17.5M contract with $10.5M in guarantees. Last year’s 19th pick, Jeremy Maclin, signed for 5-years/$15.5M. The Falcons love the athletic Weatherspoon’s potential as a cover linebacker, but he’s expected to be eased in on special teams and nickel packages as a rookie.

– The Dolphins have signed 1st-round pick DL Jared Odrick to a 5-year contract with a maximum value of just over $13M with $7.133M guaranteed. Odrick is the reigning 2009 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.

TNA

– Hulk Hogan was apparently the subject of false internet rumors today. TNA Wrestling president Dixie Carter issued the following statement this afternoon regarding “The Hulkster”:

“HULK HOGAN IS ALIVE AND WELL. He did not drown. Not sure how these rumors get started. Awful.”

VoV

Marc Valeri – captaincharisma@hotmail.com
VoV – www.voiceofvaleri.com
Add me on Facebook at Facebook.com/VoiceofValeri
Add me on Twitter at Twitter.com/VoiceofValeri
Join the VoV Forums
Ask me anything on FormSpring
Get VoV RSS feeds
Become a Fan of VoV on Facebook
Join the VoV Facebook Group

VoV

– Barring unforseen circumstances, VoV.com will be holding a live MLB TradeCentre. Joel Sherman of the NY Post reports that this year’s trade deadline could be quiet, as prospects are being overvalued, many teams are up against their budget and teams are still uncertain on whether they’re buyers or sellers. In addition, the market for relievers is extremely expensive this season, so many names that are rumoured to be dealt may have to wait until August.

MLB

– A source tells Jayson Stark of ESPN.com that Astros’ RHP Roy Oswalt has waived his no-trade clause to complete a trade to the Phillies in exchange for LHP J.A. Happ and two minor leaguers (possibly OF Anthony Gose and RHP Vance Worsley, not 1B Jonathan Singleton). The Phillies will also receive $11M. Oswalt’s $16M option for 2012 will not be exercised, but he will be compensated in another way. The deal isn’t official yet and will have to be approved by the commissioner’s office due to the money being exchanged. Oswalt’s contract has $5.46M left from his $15M salary this year, $16M in 2011, and a 2012 option for $16M with a $2M buyout. The Phillies have a ridiculous 1-2-3 punch in Halladay, Oswalt and Hamels.

– The Rangers have placed 2B Ian Kinsler (strained left groin) on the 15-day DL retroactive to July 28. Kinsler has been limited to just 76 of the team’s 101 games this season and just hasn’t been the elite source of power and speed he was last year in large part due to his ankle injury.

– Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times speculates that the Angels may be selling OF Bobby Abreu, LHP Brian Fuentes, OF Hideki Matsui, and 2B Maicer Izturis might interest contenders. Abreu, Fuentes, and Matsui would be tough to move, and could be waiver wire trade candidates. Abreu is signed at $9M for next year and may have another $9M salary vest for 2012. The 36-year-old is hitting just .253/.347/.416. Fuentes’ strikeout rate is back up, but he’s been homer-prone and has over $3M left on his contract. Matsui’s market is limited by his DH profile, though he has tallied 122 innings in left field this year.

– Contrary to rumours, the Indians are not shopping RHP Fausto Carmona. The Indians are listening, they don’t expect to receive a suitable offer. Carmona could potentially be under Tribe control through 2014.

– The Yankees are not expected to pursue a catcher, though they remain interested in Nats’ 1B Adam Dunn. The White Sox and Giants are believed to be the frontrunners.

– The NY Post reports that the Rays, Twins and Phillies are the most motivated buyers, while the Cubs, D’Backs and Blue Jays are the most motivated sellers.

– The St. Louis Post Dispatch reports that there is no substance to the trade rumours involving the Cardinals and 3B Miguel Tejada.

– ESPN reports that the Mets are expected to shop OF Jeff Francoeur after the non-waiver trade deadline.

– According to the NY Post, the Mets are very unlikely to acquire Cubs’ LHP Ted Lilly as they do not want to take on most to all of the $4.37M left on his contract, in addition to losing a package of prospects. In addition, the Mets are “almost completely unwilling to engage in serious discussions” for Astros’ RHP Brett Myers. Joel Sherman suggets the Mets might wait until August to acquire a pitcher.

– According to the Boston Globe, the Red Sox have inquired about Rafael Perez, Will Ohman, Mike Gonzalez, Matt Capps, Michael Wuertz, Craig Breslow, Sean Marshall, Kerry Wood, David Aardsma, and Kyle Farnsworth, reports Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. Cafardo says Jays’ LHP Scott Downs looks unlikely unless the Blue Jays back down from their top prospect requests.

– The Braves acquired 2B Michael Noboa from the D’Backs for a PTBNL.

NFL

– The Jets are expected to sign FA WR Laveranues Coles after a workout on Friday, according to ESPNNewYork.com’s Rich Cimini. The Jets need another receiver to compensate for Santonio Holmes’ suspension for the first month of the season. Coles showed last season that he has little left in the tank, but he’s familiar with Brian Schottenheimer’s offense and should be fine in the slot for four games.

VoV

Marc Valeri – captaincharisma@hotmail.com
VoV – www.voiceofvaleri.com
Add me on Facebook at Facebook.com/VoiceofValeri
Add me on Twitter at Twitter.com/VoiceofValeri
Join the VoV Forums
Ask me anything on FormSpring
Get VoV RSS feeds
Become a Fan of VoV on Facebook
Join the VoV Facebook Group

MLB

– Yahoo! Sports reports that the Phillies have acquired RHP Roy Oswalt from the Astros pending Oswalt accepting the trade. Oswalt must waive his no-trade clause and is expected to make the Phillies pick up his $16M option for 2012. Fox 26 Sports in Houston reported late Wednesday night that the Phillies and Astros came to terms on a trade and the Astros have contacted Oswalt. The two sides have agreed on the amount of money that will be exchanged and the players that will head to Houston, according to the report. Oswalt is 6-12 with a 3.42 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 20 starts with 120 strikeouts in 129 innings this season for the fifth-place Astros.

– The Tigers have acquired 3B Jhonny Peralta and cash from the Indians for minor league LHP Gionvanni Soto. The Tigers have now addressed their vacancy at third base, though Peralta has hit just .246 this season with a .698 OPS, seven home runs and 43 RBI. Soto is a 19-year-old left-handed prospect who has had some success at the Single-A level.

– The Angels have placed RHP Joel Piniero (strained left hip) on the 15-day DL and will be sidelined 4-to-6 weeks. Pineiro was hurt warming up in the bullpen for his start against the Red Sox on Wednesday. “I just threw a curveball, and a lot of pain came through the oblique. It’s weird. I have no idea how to explain it. It was just one of those weird things that happens. I’m really frustrated and angry that this happened right now, at this moment.” Pineiro was 10-7 with a 4.18 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP through 20 starts this season and had won seven straight decisions before losing his most recent start in New York last week.

– The Dodgers have acquired OF Scott Podsednik from the Royals for a minor leaguer C Lucas May and RHP Elisaul Pimentel. The Dodgers beat out the division-rival Giants to land Podsednik, who has hit .310/.353/.400 with five homers, 44 RBI and 30 stolen bases in 390 at-bats for the Royals. The speedster will be highly useful to the Dodgers. The acquisition crowd the LA outfield for the long run, but for right now, with Johnson and Ramirez on the DL, it works well.

– The Nationals have placed RHP Stephen Strasburg (right shoulder stiffness) on the 15-day DL retroactive to July 22. There was some back-and-forth, but after manager Jim Riggleman announced that he would be shut down for ten days, this move made more and more sense. It’s the right move to protect a special arm in a down year for the Nationals.

– The Sun-Times has it that the Phillies, Mets, Dodgers, Twins and Tigers are in the running for Cubs’ LHP Ted Lilly. The paper suggests that Lilly wants to re-sign long-term with the Cubs this winter. ”I think it’s evident I would prefer to stay here for the future. But you get to that point where you get the opportunity to become a free agent, those don’t come around too often.”

– The Mariners have placed LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith (strained lower back) on the 15-day DL. He’s one day removed from tying a franchise record for runs allowed by a starting pitcher. Rowland-Smith allowed all 11 runs and 11 hits in five innings, dropping to 1-10 on the year. He has yielded at least five earned runs in each of his last three games.

– Padres’ OF Kyle Blanks (right elbow) will have reconstructive surgery which could sideline him into next season. Surgery is scheduled for Friday. Blanks was placed on the DL May 20, retroactive to May 18, with a strained elbow. He was hitting .157 before the injury.

NHL

– The Ducks have signed D Cam Fowler to a three-year, entry-level contract. The Ducks signed Fowler with the 12th overall pick in the 2010 NHL entry draft. Fowler was initially projected to go as early as third overall, so it was a big surprise when the Ducks managed to snatch him. He’s been favorably compared to D Scott Niedermayer, but could make the Ducks’ 2010-11 opening day roster.

– The Blues have acquired F Stephan Della Rovere from the Capitals for F D.J. King.

NFL

– The Chargers have re-signed TE Antonio Gates to a 5-year,/$36.175M extension with $20.4M guaranteed. Gates is now under control through the 2015 season (age 35). Gates is a 6-time Pro Bowler, 3-time first-team All Pro and likely Hall of Famer.

– Panthers’ RB Jonathan Stewart (heel) and WR Steve Smith (arm) will begin Panthers training camp on the active/PUP list. Smith’s fractured arm is the more long-term injury, but he’s not believed to be in any danger of missing Opening Day. Multiple reports have said Stewart is 100%, so the team is likely exercising extreme caution in his case. He’s plenty used to missing practice, then tearing it up when it counts.

– The Raiders have signed rookie MLB Rolando McClain, the No. 8 overall pick, to a5 -year/$40M contract with $23M guaranteed. The Raiders gave Darrius Heyward-Bey a 5-year/$38M deal as last year’s No. 7 overall pick, including $23.5M guaranteed. As SI.com’s Ross Tucker tweeted Thursday, every GM in the league was a “nervous wreck” waiting to see McClain’s contract numbers. His guarantees are half a million less than DHB’s. Last year’s Butkus Award winner at Alabama, McClain should rank amongst the NFL’s top-10 tacklers in his first season.

– Acknowledging that he’s not 100%, Vikings’ WR Sidney Rice (hip) indicated Wednesday night that he’ll need to have the injury checked again by the Vikings’ medical staff before returning to practice. Agent Drew Rosenhaus said he hoped that Rice would be ready for the regular season while the receiver predicted that he’s participate in training camp. The hip is still an issue 6 months after originally sustaining the injury. The Vikings open training camp Friday afternoon.

– The Nashville Tennessean reports that Titans’ QB Vince Young will not be suspended for punching a man in the face at a strip club in June. The Tennessean cites multiple “sources familiar with the situation” in its report. Young was never in real danger of being suspended, so this is just confirmation. The NFL is expected to make the announcement on Thursday.

NBA

– Hornets’ G Chris Paul, according to sources close to him, is on board with the Hornets’ direction and will not seek to force a trade, reports John Reid of the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Maybe it’s because Paul realizes the team is not going to move him, or maybe it’s because he realized how the city of New Orleans would turn on him. I don’t believe that Paul is officially going to spend at least the next two years in New Orleans, but it’s beginning to look that way. The Hornets have made one roster move this offseason – Aaron Gray.

– Lakers’ F Andrew Bynum (torn meniscus in right knee) has undergone successful arthroscopic surgery. He’s expected to be limited at the start of training camp. Bynum postponed surgery during the Lakers’ run to their second straight NBA title, starting each of the Lakers’ 23 postseason games while averaging 8.6 points and 6.9 rebounds. His knee injury and a strained Achilles’ tendon limited his movement and stamina, but Bynum refused to miss out on the postseason experience after sitting out Los Angeles’ 2008 run with a dislocated left kneecap. Bynum’s knee was drained twice during the NBA finals, and again after the season. The fifth-year pro then made a trip to South Africa for the World Cup, and Bynum later delayed his surgery for a few weeks to fit his surgeon’s schedule.

– According to IndySportsNation, Grizzlies’ F Zach Randolph is working on a contract extension with the team for “a couple of more years.” Randolph tells the site, “Me and my agent, we’re working on a deal with Memphis. A lot of good things are going on in the league and it’s going to be exciting this year.” The 6’9″ nine-year vet averaged 20.8 points and 11.7 rebounds per game last season and is due to make $17.33M this coming season.

– According to the Springfield News Leader, F Anthony Tolliver is deciding to sign with either the Warriors, Blazers or Wolves. “I haven’t made a decision yet, but we’re getting there and I hope to have a decision soon. Once they have their final (financial) figure and years guaranteed, that’s when I plan on making my decision –unless somebody comes in late.” Tolliver averaged 11.7 points, 7 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game last year.

– The Indianapolis Star reports that the Pacers are currently shopping G T.J. Ford and F Mike Dunleavy. Ford averaged 10.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game last year while Dunleavy averaged 9.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in the same period of time. The Pacers haven’t made a trade in 2 years, but they’re reportedly not comfortable with the current look of the roster.

– A warrant has been issued again for the arrest of Eddy Curry, this time for failure to pay in a civil case involving him having sex with a minor in 2001. Curry failed to sign an agreement to pay the balance of a $660K legal settlement after he was sued for allegedly having sex with a 14-year-old girl (he was 18 at the time). Police are going to work with Curry’s attorneys to get him to turn himself in, but if that plan fails, Curry will be arrested.

– Former NBA All-Star G Stephon Marbury has agreed to a 3-year deal with a Chinese basketball team, whose owners will set up a company to produce and sell his line of athletic apparel and shoes, the team said Thursday. Marbury played 15 games last season with Shanxi Zhongyu of the Chinese Basketball Association. The point guard was a fan favorite in the rustbelt city of Taiyuan, showing none of the defiant personality that had alienated management, teammates and fans in the U.S.

WWE

– At Wednesday’s WWE SmackDown tapings (set to air next week, August 6th) – it was announced that the rumored Big Show vs. CM Punk, Luke Gallows and Joey Mercury handicap is confirmed for SummerSlam. With that match set, here’s the updated card for WWE SummerSlam on August 15th…

7-on-7 Elimination Tag Team Match
John Cena, Bret Hart, Edge, Chris Jericho, R-Truth, The Great Khali and John Morrison vs. Wade Barrett, Skip Sheffield, Michael Tarver, Heath Slater, Justin Gabriel, Darren Young and David Otunga

WWE Championship Match
Sheamus (c) vs. Randy Orton

World Heavyweight Championship Match
Kane (c) vs. Rey Mysterio

3-on-1 Handicap Match
Big Show vs. CM Punk, Luke Gallows and Joey Mercury

– Syfy has begun promoting SmackDown’s move to the network, as a subsite has been launched on its official website. SmackDown premieres on Syfy on Friday, October 1 at 8p.m. ET.

VoV

Marc Valeri – captaincharisma@hotmail.com
VoV – www.voiceofvaleri.com
Add me on Facebook at Facebook.com/VoiceofValeri
Add me on Twitter at Twitter.com/VoiceofValeri
Join the VoV Forums
Ask me anything on FormSpring
Get VoV RSS feeds
Become a Fan of VoV on Facebook
Join the VoV Facebook Group

MLB

– Cubs’ 1B Derrek Lee has vetoed a potential trade to the Angels by invoking his 10-and-5 rights, a form of a no-trade clause given to players who have played for at least 10 years and the last five with their current team. Lee, who has a full NTC in his contract, is due just under $5M for the remainder of the season and indicated he wanted to finish the year with the Cubs. He will be a free agent at the end of the season. Lee entered Wednesday’s action hitting .248 with 11 home runs and 44 runs batted in.

– Ed Price of AOL Fanhouse hears that a deal that would send Cubs’ LHP Ted Lilly to the Phillies for LHP J.A. Happ may be in the works. Price notes that the rumour is “not confirmed,” but it is worth looking at anyway. Lilly, 34, has posted a 3.69 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 18 starts this season and would give the Phillies a solid middle-of-the-rotation option.

– Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Cardinals are “showing interest” in Orioles’ 3B Miguel Tejada. The Cards also had a mild level of interest in Tejada this offseason, but never pulled the trigger. He’s batting just .271/.309/.364 with nine home runs this year in Baltimore, but the Cardinals are desperate for middle infield and third base help. Tejada is owed about $2M.

– Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that the Rays are in the mix to acquire Nationals’ 1B Adam Dunn. The White Sox and Tigers are also believed to have interest. Dunn is batting .278 with a .925 OPS and 23 home runs through 365 at-bats this season. The Nationals’ asking price remains high but could drop.

– Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle has confirmed that A’s RHP Ben Sheets will require a second flexor tendon surgery. Some believe that the surgery will end Sheets’ career, but he’s only 32 and will likely attempt a comeback. The righty was signed to a 1-year/$10M contract this offseason and posted a 4.53 ERA and 1.39 WHIP over 20 starts for the A’s.

– The Phillies have placed OF Shane Victorino (left abdominal strain) on the 15-day DL. The Phillies made the decision after Victorino underwent an MRI on Wednesday morning. Victorino wasn’t doing much offensively this month, batting just .245/.260/.408 over 98 at-bats.

NBA

– Former F Lorenzen Wright has reportedly been found dead in a wooded area in southeast Memphis. The Memphis Commercial Appeal cites a “law enforcement source” who confirmed the identity of Wright, who had been missing since July 19. The police are still investigating a 911 hangup call from Wright’s cell phone on Monday, leading to some speculation that Wright may have the victim of foul play. Wright, who was 34 years old, last played for Cleveland during the 2008-09 season.

– The Wizards have re-signed G Josh Howard to a 1-year/$4M deal, according to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports. Howard (torn ACL) is out until at least September, but should be in line to play plenty of minutes for the Wiz when healthy.

– The Raptors have acquired F David Andersen from the Rockets for a 2nd-round pick. The 6’11″ Andersen averaged 5.8 points and 3.3 rebounds in 63 games last season.

NFL

– ESPN’s Ed Werder reports that Broncos’ No. 25 overall pick QB Tim Tebow wants a larger contract than Cowboys’ No. 24 overall pick WR Dez Bryant. QBs almost always get more money than non-quarterback rookies, and Werder reports a “high degree of confidence” in Denver that Tebow will sign and report by the weekend. If he does hold out, it shouldn’t be longer than a day or two.

– According to the NY Daily News, Giants’ RB Ahmad Bradshaw was “limping much of the spring and limited in minicamp” after undergoing three offseason surgeries — one to each foot and one to his ankle. Observes beat reporter Ralph Vacchiano, “that’s a lot of surgery for a running back, especially one that makes his living off violent cuts.” Bradshaw promises he feels better than ever, but the signs don’t point toward him being fully healthy. The Giants begin training camp two-a-day practices this Sunday.

WWE

– Rich Ward, the guitarist in Chris Jericho’s metal band Fozzy, was a guest on the Monday Night Mayhem radio show this week and spoke about Jericho’s future after his WWE contract expires later this year. There’s been speculation that Jericho is looking to move on from WWE and focus on his entertainment career (music & acting). Here’s the recap:

The Band Working Around Chris Jericho’s WWE Schedule: “In the early days it was more difficult, because we didn’t have chemistry worked out because Chris was so busy, not just with working in the WWE, but the travel days also, whenever there was a day off here and a day off there. Basically what we had to do was be super organized in how we structured things, and till the last couple of years, it started to fall into place to where when Chris is just sitting in a hotel room or something, he’s writing lyrics. I then take his lyrics and start building songs around it, and then I would send him the demos with me singing his lyrics, and then we start work back and forth through MP3’s. If it wasn’t for the modern age of the Internet, I doubt Fozzy could exist.”

Whether Chris Jericho Will Leave WWE When His Contract Expires This Year: “He has told me that he has no plans on retiring, so as far as Chris stepping away from the ring, I have no idea if he has any plans to do that beyond the contract. I know from talking to him, and Chris’s business is his business, and never would I try to step and make announcements for him, but I think he told me that he’s contract negotiations with the WWE. With that in mind, I have no indications that he’s gonna take time off. I know he got two weeks off to do the UK run, and I know anytime we could get ‘Uncle Vinnie’ to give us a couple of weeks to go and play some rock shows in the UK, I feel like I owe him a steak dinner.”

Fozzy’s Potential: “To answer that honestly, I don’t even think about tomorrow. I’m so focused in the now and what I’m doing instead of looking down the road. I feel like that has worked for me, and maybe other people it helps to plans things, but I find for my music career (in general) if I’m touring with Stuck Mojo, I focus 1,000 percent on that. If I’m with Chris, and we’re on tour with Fozzy, I don’t think about Stuck Mojo, and I don’t think about what I’m gonna have for dinner. I think Fozzy could go on until no one wants to hear another one of our songs, and we will continue to play to out four or five fan club members. We will just continue to rock on at a very high level of proficiency.”

– Monday’s episode of Raw drew a 3.5 cable rating and averaged 5,192,000 viewers. The show did hours of 3.49 and 3.52.

– According to the Wrestling Observer, Melina made her return to WWE programming during Monday’s television taping in San Antonio, Texas. She performed a run-in following a Six-Diva Tag Match pitting Alicia Fox, Jillian and Tamina against Eve, Gail Kim and Natalya, attacking the Divas Champion. Her return will be televised during next Monday’s episode of Raw. It was her first appearance inside a WWE ring since she underwent surgery for a torn ACL suffered last December. She spent the past few weeks at the company’s developmental facility in Tampa, Florida training for her return.

WWE creative brass initially planned on inserting Melina into the ongoing John Morrison vs. Ted DiBiase program as means to feature mixed tag matches, but said plans were nixed last week. Instead, she will going after Fox’s Divas Championship. A three-way feud between Melina, Fox and Eve is tentatively planned, though Maryse may be put in the mix. Meanwhile, Maryse and DiBiase’s “power couple” placement is an offshoot of plans initially tapped for the French beauty and The Miz last year. Plans were changed when Maryse took a hiatus to recover from knee surgery and Miz got over well enough with the audience that she was no longer needed by his side. Maryse was ultimately placed with DiBiase in an effort to get him over.

– WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog at JRsBarBQ.com with some commentary on the following topics:

Monday’s RAW: “Enjoyed Raw Monday night by and large. I do know this….if John Cena’s team doesn’t put their own personal agendas behind them then the Raw 7 has NO chance against The Nexus at Summer Slam. That point was made abundantly clear over the two hour broadcast from San Antonio. No unity=no win for Raw. “No win for you” ala Seinfeld’s ‘Soup Nazi.’ Got it? Good. ”

Scouting Talent at FCW: “It’s back to Tampa for me this weekend to observe the FCW try out camp that likely will have over 50 individuals taking part in the process. Now seems to be a timely opportunity to get noticed and perhaps signing with WWE and assigned to FCW which needs more viable athletes and quality numbers in general.”

John Morrison The Next HBK? “I Tweeted @JRsBBQ that I liked John Morrison’s new beard and that I thought it made him look a little more rugged. Morrison is a gifted athlete who has ’something’ that physically reminds me of a young HBK. One can only hope that Morrison can begin to approach the success that Shawn Michaels earned but that’s some king sized expectations. Nonetheless I think that Morrison can be a major player within WWE once his complete game comes together which simply takes time.”

– According to The National Enquirer, Hulk Hogan’s ex-wife Linda, 50, is engaged to wed boyfriend Charlie Hill, 29 years her junior. She met Hill two years ago following her divorce from the wrestling superstar. It would appear that the former married couple have buried the hatchet as the wrestler added his well wishes regarding Linda’s engagement. “I’m ecstatic for her, I’m very happy for them,” Hogan said in an exclusive statement to RadarOnline.com. “I think they’re perfect for each other. I wish them the best.”

David Houston, Hogan’s attorney, echoed his sentiment, touching on the couple’s contentious split and how they’ve seemed to move on from that dark period: “Obviously, when you go through a divorce, there is a great deal of emotion and you go through your ups and downs. He was married to her for 23 years so there is a certain degree of affection and he does wish her the best.”

Meanwhile, daughter Brooke, who is one year older than Hill, bares a negative stance towards her mother’s beau. “He is a loser,” she was quoted last year as saying. “I don’t have a problem with age; it’s more about character. Her love is not real and not right.” The wedding is reportedly slated to take place next summer aboard Linda’s yacht named ‘Alimoney’. The article also notes that one of the places they’re registered at is Game Spot.

VoV

Marc Valeri – captaincharisma@hotmail.com
VoV – www.voiceofvaleri.com
Add me on Facebook at Facebook.com/VoiceofValeri
Add me on Twitter at Twitter.com/VoiceofValeri
Join the VoV Forums
Ask me anything on FormSpring
Get VoV RSS feeds
Become a Fan of VoV on Facebook
Join the VoV Facebook Group

MLB

– According to the NY Post, the Jays have asked the Yankees for RHP Joba Chamberlain in exchange for LHP Scott Downs. While the Yanks are currently down on Joba, the team still does not want to trade him. In addition, Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that the Jays asked the Yankees for top prospect C Jesus Montero in exchange for Downs. The Red Sox have been asked for prospect INF Casey Kelly or INF Jose Iglesias for Downs. Downs is hitting .185 against lefties this season. The Yanks have also asked the Orioles’ 3B Ty Wigginton.

– The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the talks between the Giants and Brewers regarding 1B Prince Fielder and OF Corey Hart are “dead in the water.” MLBTR reports that the Giants have also been linked to Royals’ OF Jose Guillen and OF Scott Podsednik as well as Nats’ OF Josh Willingham and 1B Adam Dunn.

– FOXSports is reporting that “multiple teams,” including the Nationals, are talking to the D’Backs’ front office about what it would take to acquire RHP Edwin Jackson. The Nats want to trade 1B Adam Dunn for pitching and then trade the pitching to Arizona for Jackson, according to the site. In Ken Rosenthal’s scenario, the White Sox would likely have to include RHP Daniel Hudson in order to acquire Dunn. In turn, the Nationals would then have the option to send Hudson, or one of their own prospects, in exchange for Dunn. This doesn’t make a ton of sense for the National. Jackson is set to make $8.35M next year and has about $1.5M left on his salary for this season.

– Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Twins have inquired about Cubs’ LHP Ted Lilly. The Twins are on Lilly’s “no-trade list,” so other teams may have an advantage. Lilly is owed $4M for the rest of this season and would require additional compensation if he was to accept a deal to Minnesota.

– Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Giants “have stepped up” for Marlins’ 3B Jorge Cantu. The Rangers and Rockies have also been in the mix for Cantu, but it looks like the Giants may have the advantage now. According to Rosenthal, the Marlins are believed to be looking for a young lefty pitcher. It’s not clear who the Giants are willing to offer, but prospects Eric Surkamp and Clayton Tanner could be the return.

– The D’Backs are considering using RHP Brandon Webb (shoulder) as a reliever. Webb hasn’t even faced live hitters yet, so there’s still quite a bit of ground to cover. Pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre said, “We’re going to have to discuss that. I think he would be up for that, but I need to sit down with (interim General Manager Jerry Dipoto) and find out the direction we want to head with this.” The bullpen could be the quickest way to ensure his return this season, as he wouldn’t need to build up his workload over several weeks in the minors. That said, the clock continues to tick on what looks like a wasted season.

– The Denver Post is reporting that the Rockies are interested in trading for Cubs’ 2B Ryan Theriot, who is hitting .281 with one homer and 21 RBIs. Current 2B Clint Barmes is eligible for arbitration and his salary will likely jump to $5M annually, the paper reports. The Rockies are also asking about Marlins’3B Jorge Cantu and Jays’ RHP Kevin Gregg.

– Tigers’ RHP Jeremy Bonderman told the Detroit Free Press that he is considering retirement. Bonderman, 27, will be a free agent after the 2010 season. He would likely return if the Tigers offer him a contract, but would otherwise only be open to signing with a team out west in order to be closer to his family in Pasco, Washington.

“(Owner Mike Ilitch) and the Tigers’ organization have given me an opportunity to provide for my family really well, and I feel like I’ve saved a lot of money and I have the ability to be able to do what I want — whether it’s be with my kids every day or go on fishing trips with my dad or brothers. At times I love it. At times I’m like, ‘Man.’”

– Former OF Dave Roberts, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in March, has completed chemotherapy. Roberts said he had eight chemotherapy treatments over four months. He is now scheduled to undergo three weeks of radiation in mid-August. Roberts, who was hired as a special assistant for the Padres, continued to move around the team’s minor league affiliates during chemotherapy, working with players on baserunning and outfield play. “Watching these guys each night has been very therapeutic…it’s made me feel very good.”

NHL

– The Blue Jackets have re-signed D Anton Stralman to a 1-year/$1.95M deal. Stralman and the Blue Jackets reached an agreement minutes before Stralman’s arbitration hearing was scheduled to begin. Stralman was expected to be awarded a raise, but the Jackets would’ve likely walked away and allowed him to become a UFA. Stralman scored six goals and 34 points in 73 games last season.

– Time is running out for the Blackhawks to sign G Antti Niemi before his arbitration hearing on Thursday. The Blackhawks probably won’t be able to work something out before Niemi’s arbitration date. Niemi is expected to ask for $3-4M next season while Chicago will probably argue that he deserves about $2M. Chicago has been dealing with significant cap problems this summer and if Niemi is awarded that much in arbitration, they’ll likely send him packing. Chicago also has the option of allowing Niemi to become a UFA rather than accepting his arbitrator awarded 1-year contract.

NFL

– Patriots’ WR Wes Welker (knee, shoulder) is still expected to be ready to go come Week 1, according to the Boston Globe. Though Welker is on active/PUP, the Globe is says that he could play in a playoff game if there was one today, and adds that he’ll get some preseason action. The Patriots are holding him out of the start of camp “to protect Welker against himself.” At this point, no one expects him to begin the year on reserve/PUP. It’s looking more and more likely that Welker will be there when the Pats play the Bengals in Week 1.

– Panthers’ WR Steve Smith (broken left arm) arrived at Panthers’ camp without a cast on his broken left arm. Smith hasn’t been able to lift weights and it’s unknown when he’ll be cleared to practice. He should be ready by the end of the preseason and ready for Week 1.

– The Panthers have signed 2nd-round pick QB Jimmy Clausen to a 4-year/$6.3M deal with $2.533M guaranteed. Clausen looks to be the second-string quarterback to start the season.

– Bengals’ WR Antonio Bryant will open training camp on the practice field, according to PFT. The Bengals’ website also says that Bryant could be used in the slot, where the team “liked what they saw” from him during the offseason. Other reports regarding Bryant’s health haven’t been nearly as positive, but he’ll be ready to compete with WR Terrell Owens for snaps to open camp.

– Redskins’ DE Albert Haynesworth is back in D.C. and ready to practice, confirms Jason Reid of the Washington Post. Haynesworth is reportedly optimistic after having conversations with teammates, and it doesn’t look like he’ll be a distraction. The Skins will need to keep him financially motivated all season long.

NBA

– The Oregonian reports that the Blazers are talking to the Knicks, Celtics and Bulls about G Rudy Fernandez. The 25-year-old Spaniard who set a rookie record when he made 159 three-pointers two seasons ago. “Some of the teams interested in Fernandez have offered a future first round draft pick, while other offers would pair Fernandez with another Blazers player,” the paper reports.

– Sources tell the Cleveland Plain Dealer that the Lakers are trying to package the G Sasha Vujacic, 26, who averaged 2.8 points, 1.2 rebounds, and .6 assists in the 8.6 minutes per game he played last season with a future 1st-round pick in order to unload his $5M salary for the year from the books.

TNA

– TNA star Kurt Angle posted the following message Twitter this morning, putting Hulk Hogan over in a big way:

“Hulk hogan could be one of the best human beings I ever knew. I have wrestled him. Now I work for him. I love you hulkster. Kurt.”

While this is just speculation, I reported earlier that Hulk Hogan is looking to become the next big Billy Mays in terms of infomercials, and is already making moves within the industry to reach that goal. Oddly enough, Kurt Angle runs Angle Foods – a company that sells “affordable gourmet and performance meals,” similar to NutraSystem program. Could they be partnered? Stay tuned.

VoV

Marc Valeri – captaincharisma@hotmail.com
VoV – www.voiceofvaleri.com
Add me on Facebook at Facebook.com/VoiceofValeri
Add me on Twitter at Twitter.com/VoiceofValeri
Join the VoV Forums
Ask me anything on FormSpring
Get VoV RSS feeds
Become a Fan of VoV on Facebook
Join the VoV Facebook Group

It’s been a while, but The Peep Show is back! I’m still reeling from getting hacked, which you can read more about by clicking here. It’ll be interesting to see how this affects the traffic numbers. To kick it off, something I saw while watching the highlights for today’s games that just pissed me right off…

Bosh Chirps Toronto

Heat’ F Chris Bosh, formerly a Toronto Raptor, has finally told a Miami newspaper his true feelings about the city of Toronto. Bosh describes the city as a ‘different’ and unfamiliar destination.

“I didn’t want to go there. It was different. All I knew was Vince Carter was there and I never saw him play on TV. It was a whole different country, and it was just different. I’m 19 years old, I didn’t know anything about culture and being away from home. All I know is the States…Toronto’s a great place, a fantastic city. It’s a metropolitan area, but you could tell you’re somewhere different. You could feel it, you could look at it, you can smell it. Everything. All your senses tell you you’re somewhere different. You can smell it.”

You know, a lot of former Raptors have had issues with Canada. F Antonio Davis hated the metric system. G Doug Christie said his mother-in-law’s cooking in Toronto tasted different than back home. But to say that the city smells different proves just how much of a moron you really are.

Now, I could run through a bunch of things that makes Canada better than the US, but to avoid angering my peeps to the south, I’ll hold my tongue. I can’t say that I’ve been to too many cities in the US – I’ve heard great things of Chicago, New York City, Los Angeles, Boston – but Toronto is a classy, multi-cultural city. Eve the Huffington Post called Toronto North America’s “coolest city.” Understandably, since there are only one Canadian (Toronto) team in the NBA and MLB (which are primary sports in the US), it will never feel like home for a US-born basketball player.

That said, players generally love the city once they get here. There are tons of celebrities, athletes, teams, sights to see, nightlife, diversity, you name it. When in Toronto, you play as a star – everyone recognizes you. You become a celebrity in yourself.

If you look around the league, Toronto is always amongst the top cities that players vote as their favourite. In fact, many teams arrive a day early or stay a day longer in T.O. because of stuff like the nightlife, bars and clubs downtown, the ethnic diversity all across the city. Dot. That said, in many player’s eyes, Toronto is a ‘great place to visit, but not to live here.’

Toronto’s biggest problem is winning. The Jays haven’t won since the early 90′s. The Leafs are winless since 1967. The CFL and NLL are considered a minor league amongst Americans. And the Raptors? They haven’t won anything. The franchise itself has a poor track record for winning, which compounds the problem of playing in Toronto. The NBA is not run like a video game, where players can be signed or traded on a whim without issues. People like GM Bryan Colangelo often deal with players who have American families living in America who are unwilling to move to Canada. Family location, birthplace, friends, housing, etc. are all aspects factored into whether or not a player signs anywhere – the problem is, they’re magnified when Toronto is a potential suitor. You’re not just changing cities for some players, but countries.

The Raptors’ franchise has had to deal with this for years, and will have to deal with it forever it seems. The ‘winning’ issue can be solved by, well, simply winning. A winning franchise will attract players from all over the city. This ‘different place’ problem is what haunts the Blue Jays now too, but this issue was non-existent when they won back-to-back World Series rings in the early ’90′s. Players were dying to come to Toronto to finally win a ring that their career had been lacking. Now? Toronto teams are places people go to for bounce-back seasons, slighty higher pay, getting the opportunity to start on a regular basis, or if they have no other options and are forced to sign. If the Raptors ever become an elite NBA team, attracting great American players will be incredibly simpler. It’s all something that the fans and the franchise are going to have to get used to.

Kovalchuk/Devils
This was a stupid deal. 17-years/$102M? I’m glad that the NHL stopped it. It was so heavily frontloaded, it’s ridiculous. There’s no way Kovalchuk would’ve played until his 17th season (age 44), and would’ve easily retired in his late 30s to just reap the remaining dollars on the contract. I don’t think he has any intention of playing the duration of that contract out, but now that the NHLPA has filed a grievance, it may go through/get slighty tweaked.

Raps Snubbed
MJ pulled out of a late deal that would’ve seen the Raps get a 3-player package including Tyson Chandler and Boris Diaw. I was beside myself when I found out that Jordan pulled out. Chandler is exactly the kind of guy the Raps need, and Diaw’s versatility would’ve been key. That would’ve changed the starting lineup from Bargnani-Bosh-Turkoglu-DeRozan-Calderon from last season, to Chander-Bargnani-Diaw-Barbosa-Jack, which would’ve been solid. Moving Turk’s massive contract was key, especially for a guy with the calibre of talent that Barbosa has. I’m glad BC has decided to throw caution to the wind, since it’ll be his ass on the line if the Raps have another season without making the playoffs.

Raw vs. Nexus
This angle is turning out alright. There’s still a lot of question marks regarding whether these guys can hold their own in a match that’s longer than 10 minutes, how they can perform one-on-one when there aren’t 6 other guys there to bail them out, etc.. I think Triple H will be the leader of Nexus, rather than John Cena, but either one would be fine by me. I personally think HHH is far better as a heel than he is a face, so I welcome the change. Cena’s face promos and mannerisms are just so old, I think he needs to switch sides. Will it happen? I doubt it, since he’s the top merchandise seller for the WWE right now. Him and Rey Mysterio are probably the two unlikeliest to have heel turns. Speaking of turns, how about Randy Orton? A great transition from heel to face, the same mannerisms and behaviour, but the RKO is *so* incredibly over with the crowd right now, it’s insane. It’s almost like the Stone Cold Stunner circa 1997ish when Austin was doing it to everyone. Those were the days…

What’s Next?
I’ve got the same few projects under wraps right now. Whether or not they’re unveiled remains to be seen, but I’m trying to find more time to write columns and stuff, since I think that it’s what’s lacking most on the site.

I just got my Skype/video blogging/podcast stuff worked out on my new laptop, so both tools have become potential options for VoV. You’re more likely to see a podcast coming before you see me videoblogging/Skype-ing, but who knows – this Peep Show feature may become a podcast just in itself. I’d like to do one for WWE/MLB/NHL, but that’ll depend on a number of factors.

I think that’s it for now. As always, I’ll be taking questions off of VoV post comments, Twitter replies, Facebook questions, emails, SpringForm questions, the Facebook fanpage, you name it. The links are posted below where you can contact me. Again, if you’re sending via email, please use something to the effect of “VoV” in the subject line so it doesn’t get filtered by spam. I’ve been getting truckloads of spam as of late, so if you used a stupid subject line, it probably got caught with the rest.

VoV

Marc Valeri – captaincharisma@hotmail.com
VoV – www.voiceofvaleri.com
Add me on Facebook at Facebook.com/VoiceofValeri
Add me on Twitter at Twitter.com/VoiceofValeri
Join the VoV Forums
Ask me anything on FormSpring
Get VoV RSS feeds
Become a Fan of VoV on Facebook
Join the VoV Facebook Group

NBA

– Heat’ F Chris Bosh, a former Raptor, finally told a Miami newspaper about how he really feels about the city of Toronto. Bosh describes the city as a ‘different’ and unfamiliar destination.

“I didn’t want to go there. It was different. All I knew was Vince Carter was there and I never saw him play on TV. It was a whole different country, and it was just different. I’m 19 years old, I didn’t know anything about culture and being away from home. All I know is the States…Toronto’s a great place, a fantastic city. It’s a metropolitan area, but you could tell you’re somewhere different. You could feel it, you could look at it, you can smell it. Everything. All your senses tell you you’re somewhere different. You can smell it.”

The city smells different. Really. Check the latest edition of The Peep Show for my full thoughts on this.

– Raptors’ GM Bryan Colangelo said that the Raps’ second-half decline last season may have been because F Chris Bosh had already mentally checked out of Toronto. In an interview with The FAN590, Colangelo suggested Bosh returned from last February’s all-star weekend a changed man, and the team suffered as a result.

“I’ve talked so much about those voices that could have been speaking to him at all-star (weekend). I think it’s pretty obvious now what some of those voices were.

“Whether he was mentally checked out or just wasn’t quite into it down the stretch, he wasn’t the same guy and I think everyone saw that. It’s just no one wanted to acknowledge it.”

Colangelo pointed out that entering the all-star break the Raptors had tied a franchise record with 29 wins.

“It seemed like everything was rolling along. But then the wheels fell off. Part of that was because Chris got hurt.”

Bosh injured his ankle on February 17 and would miss the next six games. Colangelo said Monday it was an injury at a key point in the season that Bosh might have been able to play through.

“Despite limited swelling and any excessive damage on an MRI, he felt like he needed to sit for six more games. I’m not even questioning Chris’ injury. I’m telling you he was cleared to play subject to tolerance on his part, and the tolerance just apparently wasn’t there and he chose not to play.”

Colangelo added he doesn’t believe any tampering occurred between players and he gave Heat president Pat Riley credit for creating the salary cap space to accommodate Bosh, Dwayne Wade and LeBron James.

“I don’t know what to say other than we had a tough season, based on the timing of that injury and that sequence,” said Colangelo.

– Grizzlies’ rookie G Greivis Vasquez (bone spur in right ankle) has undergone successful surgery that is expected to sideline him until late September for training camp. Vasquez was injured while playing in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

– The Warriors have signed G Jannero Pargo to a 2-year/$2.4M deal. Pargo averaged 5.5 points and 1.4 assists in 63 games with the Bulls last season.

– The Celtics have re-signed G Marquis Daniels. The seven-year veteran missed 28 games with a torn ligament in his left thumb that required surgery and averaged a career-low 5.6 points in 51 games.

– The Heat have re-signed F Shavlik Randolph. Randolph appeared in six games last season with the Heat and Blazers.

NHL

– The Capitals have re-signed F Tomas Fleischmann to a 1-year/$2.6M deal. Fleischmann is coming off a career-best season in 2009-10, where he scored 23 goals and 28 assists in 69 games and made the Czech Republic squad for the Vancouver Olympics.

– The Penguins will host the Capitals in the 4th installment of the Winter Classic on January 1 at Heinz Field. Penguins’ F Max Talbot has added more fuel to the fire that is the growing rivalry between the Penguins and Capitals. In an interview with 105.9 The X to promote next season’s Winter Classic between the two teams, the Penguins forward said Ovechkin was a “real douche” and he didn’t like the Capitals star.

“I just hate the guy. I can’t lie. Sorry. Even more so for a guy like Ovechkin. Like, seriously, okay … yeah. I don’t like him.

“The first time I met him, actually, when I met him off the ice. You hear a lot of stories about a guy, but sometimes they’re not true. You hear of guys who are not good guys, and you’re like, ‘Yeah, okay, I’ll give the guy a shot.’ The first time I met him, let’s say he didn’t give the best impression to me, so better reason to hate him even more.”

Talbot also said his hatred for the Russian sniper grew stronger at the NHL Awards following Pittsburgh’s Stanely Cup win in 2009.

“I was actually at the NHL Awards last summer with (Evgeni) Malkin, and we brought the Stanley Cup over there after the season. Malkin knew Ovechkin, and introduced me to him, and the first impression wasn’t great. I’m not really going to say what happened, but I’m like, ‘Ok, this guy is a real douche.’”

I’ve got a lot to say about Ovie, but I’ll save it for another time. Not a fan of him as a player or as a human being.

– The Lightning have signed F Chris Durno to a 1-year deal. Durno recordedfour goals and eight points in 41 games with the Avs last season. He also played in 17 games with Lake Erie last season, recording 10 goals and 18 points.

– The Coyotes have re-signed F Alexandre Picard to a 1-year deal and F Bracken Kearns to a 1-year/2-way contract. Picard was acquired by the Coyotes from Columbus on March 3 but did not appear for the team in an NHL game. He played in nine games for the Blue Jackets before the deal and did not score. The 29-year-old Kearns had 15 goals, 36 assists and 99 penalty minutes in 80 games last season for Rockford of the AHL.

MLB

– The Yankees and Red Sox are considered the frontrunners for Jays’ LHP Scott Downs.

– Royals’ RHP Gil Meche (shoulder) will undergo season-ending surgery. Meche, 31, has been on the DL since May 29 with what the club described as bursitis in the shoulder. Meche has battled injuries the past two seasons. He has one year left on a 5-year/$55M deal.

– Andre “The Hawk” Dawson has officially been inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame. Dawson, who endured 12 knee surgeries during an impressive 21-year career, was inducted Sunday into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, becoming just the 203rd player in the game’s long history to receive the honour. Dawson is an 8-time all-star, recording 438 homers, 2,774 hits, 1,591 RBIs and 314 stolen bases in his career from 1976-96. He’s one of just three players to have recorded 400 homers and 300 steals.

“Thank you for welcoming this rookie to your team. It’s an honour beyond words. I didn’t play this game with this goal in mind, but I’m living proof that if you love this game, the game will love you back. I am proof that any young person who can hear my voice right now can be standing here as I am.”

“There’s nothing wrong with the game of baseball. Baseball will, from time to time like anything else in life, fall victim to the mistakes that people make. It’s not pleasant and it’s not right. Individuals have chosen the wrong road, and they’re choosing that as their legacy. Those mistakes have hurt the game and taken a toll on all of us.

NFL

– Redskins’ DE Albert Haynesworth will reportedly arrive early for training camp Wednesday in an effort to “reach out” to coach Mike Shanahan. According to Chris Russell of 980 ESPN, Haynesworth has lost over 40 pounds and is “definitely in good shape.” It’s now believed that Haynesworth has accepted that “this is where he’s going to be.” Still driven primarily by financial considerations, he’s opted against risking a portion of his $21M bonus by trying force his way out of D.C.

VoV

Marc Valeri – captaincharisma@hotmail.com
VoV – www.voiceofvaleri.com
Add me on Facebook at Facebook.com/VoiceofValeri
Add me on Twitter at Twitter.com/VoiceofValeri
Join the VoV Forums
Ask me anything on FormSpring
Get VoV RSS feeds
Become a Fan of VoV on Facebook
Join the VoV Facebook Group

NFL

– The Bengals have signed WR Terrell Owens to a 1-year/$2M contract with another $2M available in incentives. T.O. will join forces with WR Chad Ochocinco in the NFL’s in some must-see TV. Marvin Lewis is in for a long season. While T.O. no longer offers game-breaking speed, he’ll provide QB Carson Palmer with a big, physical target as a possession receiver. He probably won’t top 900 yards.

– The Packers have re-signed RFA SS Atari Bigby to a 1-year/$1.759M contract. It will be interesting to see how much ground rookie Morgan Burnett made up in offseason practices. The injury-prone Bigby hasn’t been an asset since 2007, though he’s a strong run defender when healthy. The strong safety battle will be one of the few real competitions in Packers camp next month.

– Bengals’ WR Antonio Bryant (knee) is a “strong candidate” to start training camp on the active/PUP list, reports PFT. Bengals coaches are already said to be “lukewarm” on Bryant, who could be joining Laveranues Coles as a second straight free agent bust for Cincy. He missed time in spring practices with a balky knee, and the injury continues to linger. PFT even passes along “scuttlebutt” that the Bengals could dump Bryant, though that is dependent on contract particulars.

MLB

– Andrew Marchand of ESPN NY reports that the Yankees are one of the six teams on Royals’ RHP Joakim Soria’s no-trade list. The Yanks are on an ongoing hunt to bolster their bullpen, but may have to look at options other than Soria. He would probably cost them a little too much in the way of prospects anyway. The 26-year-old Royals closer has a 2.12 ERA and 1.01 WHIP for his career and has converted 99 saves since the start of the 2008 season. He’s 27-for-29 on save opportunities this year.

– Jayson Stark heard from a source Tuesday that the Royals are struggling to find a trade partner for OF Jose Guillen. Guillen is 34, is no longer considered an adequate defender and is batting just .226/.286/.387 in the month of July. Oh, and he’s earning $12M this season. If the Royals want to get rid of him, it will have to be in a straight salary dump move.

– Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Nationals have not offered 1B Adam Dunn a contract extension in any form this summer. Dunn has hit 23 home runs this season while racking up a .935 OPS and he has drawn interest from multiple teams in the AL Central. If the Nationals have no desire to pay him, they might as well move him now. He will be a free agent at the conclusion of this season.

– Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post reports that the Marlins have begun internal discussions about a contract extension for 2B Dan Uggla. Uggla told reporters Monday that he would love to remain with the Marlins, and the franchise would be wise to keep their powerful middle infield intact for the opening of their new ballpark in 2012. Uggla is hitting .277/.360/.482 with 19 home runs this season and is under contract through 2011.

– Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Braves have signed C David Ross to a 2-year extension. The money involved is not yet known, but it’s probably not much given that C Brian McCann is a must-start every night in Atlanta. Ross has hit .269/.374/.346 with zero homers and six extra-base hits in 78 at-bats for the Braves this season.

– Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that the Red Sox have A’s RHP Michael Wuertz on their trade deadline “wish list.” Wuertz is usually solid in the ‘pen, but he has a 4.50 ERA and 1.41 WHIP this season in Oakland. Maybe he needs a change of scenery, or the BoSox can get him at a bargain. The 31-year-old had a 0.95 WHIP in 78-plus innings last year.

NHL

– The Rangers have signed F Alexander Frolov to a 1-year/$3M deal. Rangers’ GM Glen Sather said, “Alex is a highly skilled player who we feel will play a key role in improving our offense and play in all situations. He is strong competitor and has the ability to play either wing position.” Frolov reportedly rejected a 4-year/$20M deal with a KHL club to stay in the NHL. Frolov fell short of the 20-goal marker in 2009-10 for the first time since his rookie season, but he should bounce back in New York. Look for him to score 25 goals and 60 points next season, but those numbers could go up if he plays alongside Marian Gaborik.

– The Kings have signed F Alex Ponikarovsky to a 1-year/$3M deal. Poni will earn $3M in 2010-11, but the deal also comes with a $200K signing bonus. Ponikarovsky scored 21 goals and 50 points in 77 games between the Leafs and Pens. He’s reached the 20-goal milestone in four of his last five seasons.

– The Oilers have re-signed F Gilbert Brule to a 2-year/$3.7M deal worth $1.85M annually. Brule scored 17 goals and registered 20 assists in 65 games last season.

– The Predators have re-signed D Ryan Parent to a 2-year/$1.85M deal.

WWE

– Former WWE Womens and Divas champion Melina (torn ACL) made her return to WWE television at last night’s WWE RAW tapings from the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. The return can be seen on next Monday’s edition of RAW on the USA Network. She returned at the conclusion of Alicia Fox, Jillian & Tamina vs. Eve, Gail Kim & Natalya, taking out Alicia Fox. Melina has been out since December 2009 after suffering a torn ACL. She underwent surgery in January and has been rehabbing for months. She spent last week in FCW in Tampa working out and is back with the company fulltime.

TNA

– TNA’s Hulk Hogan is planning his next career move outside of the wrestling industry – he wants to be “the new Billy Mays” and become the best TV pitchman around. Mays was the king of infomercials before his unfortunate death last year, pitching everything from Oxyclean cleanser to Mighty Putty adhesive putty.

According to RadarOnline.com, Hogan recently linked up with fellow reality star and infomercial king, Kevin Harrington, to promote his latest product, pumMax – a biodegradable pumice-based hand cleanser. But that’s just the beginning, as Hogan’s lawyer David Houston tells Daily Radar.

“Terry brings decades’ worth of charisma and credibility to the marketplace. Billy [Mays'] unfortunate passing kind of left a hole. We all agree that he certainly has some big shoes to fill as far as Billy Mays is concerned, but I don’t think that any of us doubt that he has the ability to do it.”

“He went into a semi-retirement at one point, but after the divorce and settlement of personal injury litigation he’s putting his career back on track.”

Hogan is no stranger to being an product pitchman, having done commercials for Honey Nut Cheerios, Right Guard deodorant, Arbys and more.“I think it’s more of a continuation as opposed to a new beginning,” said Houston.

– TNA’s faction of ECW originals will now be known as “E-V 2.0? – Extreme Version 2.

– Scott Hall’s recent bout with double pneumonia is over and Hall has been released from the hospital after several weeks. Nash wrote on Twitter this week:

“Scott’s home. Clean 20-plus days and sounding great. He’ll outlive us all all. Love you, buddy.”

VoV

Marc Valeri – captaincharisma@hotmail.com
VoV – www.voiceofvaleri.com
Add me on Facebook at Facebook.com/VoiceofValeri
Add me on Twitter at Twitter.com/VoiceofValeri
Join the VoV Forums
Ask me anything on FormSpring
Get VoV RSS feeds
Become a Fan of VoV on Facebook
Join the VoV Facebook Group