VoV
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MLB
– According to TSN, the Phillies and Angels are now the frontrunners for Jays ace RHP Roy Halladay. The offer from the Phillies is said to include LHP J.A. Happ, OF Michael Taylor and OF Dominic Brown, similar to their last offer before the trade deadline. In a separate report, the NY Daily News says that there is a chance that former World Series MVP LHP Cole Hamels could be the pitcher included in a Halladay deal.
The Angels package is believed to include LHP Joe Saunders, SS Erick Aybar and prospect OF Peter Bourjos. The report also suggest that if the Jays and Angels make a deal, that the Jays would likely try to deal Saunders elsewhere to help fill other needs.
Doc would have to approve any deal because of his no-trade clause, and any team that acquires him would more than likely want him to sign an extension before any deal would be completed. For Halladay to agree to a deal with the Angels, he would have to train in Arizona, which is reportedly a sticking point. The 32-year old went 17-10 last season with a 2.79 ERA. He threw a league-leading nine complete games and racked up an impressive 239 innings pitched.
– Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com has confirmed that the Mariners are pursuing RHP John Lackey, among a few other free agent starters. LHP Jarrod Washburn and LHP Doug Davis are also believed to be targets for the highly active Mariners, but Lackey would the real prize. He’s by far the most talented starter on the market this offseason and is drawing interest from some of baseball’s biggest spenders. Washburn, 35, went 8-6 with a 2.64 ERA in 20 starts for the M’s this year before being sent to the Tigers at the trade deadline. Davis, 34, went 9-14 with a 4.12 ERA for the D’Backs.
– The Rangers have signed RHP Rich Harden to a one-year/$6.5M contract with an $11M mutual option for 2011. The deal also carries $3.5M in performance-based incentives for the 2010 season. Harden, 28, posted a 4.06 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and an incredible 10.9 K/9 in 26 starts this past season.
– The Rockies have signed C Chris Iannetta to a three-year contract “in excess” of $8M dollars. The contract carries Iannetta through his arbitration years, while the Rockies hold an option for his first year of free agency. Iannetta, 26, batted .228/.344/.460 with 16 home runs and 52 RBI in 289 at-bats in ’09. The new deal shouldn’t preclude the Rockies from keeping free agent C Yorvit Torrealba, as well.
– The Rays have officially acquired RHP Rafael Soriano from the Braves for RHP Jesse Chavez. The Rays have agreed to sign Soriano to a one-year/$7M deal, which happens to be below market value for top-line closers. He posted a 2.97 ERA, a 1.06 WHIP and a 102/27 K/BB ratio in 75 2/3 innings this past season and will immediately assume ninth-inning duties in Tampa.
– The Twins and Brewers have expressed interest in free-agent LHP Jarrod Washburn.
NHL
– According to Sportsnet, Canadiens G Jaroslav Halak is being shopped around the league for a top-six forward. Keep an eye on the Red Wings and Blues. Halak is making only $750K behind G Carey Price and is set to become an RFA at season’s end.
– The Leafs are still in talks with the Blackhawks regarding F Patrick Sharp. The teams’ top priority is to re-sign him. One of the names bouncing around has been F Alex Ponikarovsky from the Leafs. There have also been rumours that the Oilers would be involved to make this a three-way deal.
– The Leafs and rookie G Jonas Gustavsson continue to discuss the foundation of a long-term deal.
– The Canadiens are believed to be shopping F Andrei and Sergei Kostitsyn. Oilers F Andrew Cogliano’s name has come up, but there hasn’t been much discussion of late.
– The Flyers have contacted the Ducks regarding F Bobby Ryan.
– The Panthers are still reportedly shopping F Nathan Horton and F Rostislav Olesz with the return price being a first line centre.
NBA
– The Knicks and Rockets have been discussing a trade that would send G Tracy McGrady to the Knicks. G Cuttino Mobley’s expiring contract could be a return price.
– Warriors F Anthony Randolph has indeed requested a trade. Stay tuned.
– Bucks F Joe Alexander has stated that he would be open to a trade if it would mean he plays more minutes.