MLB
– According to Yahoo! Sports’ Tim Brown, the Dodgers have called about Astros’ RHP Roy Oswalt, Cubs’ LHP Ted Lilly, D’Backs’ RHP Dan Haren, as well as Indians’ LHP Jake Westbrook and RHP Fausto Carmona. They’ve also inquired about Jays’ LHP Scott Downs, RHP Kevin Gregg and RHP Jason Frasor. The Yankees are also said to be interested in a number of these pitchers, including Oswalt and the three Jays’ relievers. The Dodgers sit 6 games back in the NL West race but only 2.5 games back in the NL wild-card race. Stay tuned.
– Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that the White Sox have gone hard after Nationals’ 1B Adam Dunn this summer. At the moment, however, talks have stalled. “The problem [general manager] Kenny [Williams] is finding out is that [Nationals GM Mike] Rizzo is acting like Dunn is Ryan Howard,” Cowley’s source said Monday. The 30-year-old Dunn is batting .286 with a .950 OPS and 22 home runs in 332 at-bats this year and would bring some serious pop to the middle of the White Sox’s lineup. Williams is apparently willing to deal prospects Daniel Hudson and Dayan Viciedo, but not SS Gordon Beckham or OF Carlos Quentin.
– The Rangers have reportedly expressed interest in Marlins’ 3B Jorge Cantu.
– The Padres are set to sign OF Wily Mo Pena to a minor-league deal.
NHL
– F Mike Modano doesn’t plan on making a decision regarding his future until after he skates on August 5. Modano isn’t sure if he wants to retire or return to the NHL for the 2010-11 season. If he decides to play, he’ll sign a contract with the Red Wings, Wild or Sharks.
– Blackhawks’ F Patrick Sharp has been told by GM Stan Bowman that he won’t be traded. “I told (Sharp) he can relax, he’s not going anywhere. He’s a big part of this. He means a lot to us on the ice and off the ice.” Bowman said that the Blackhawks still have cap issues, even after trading away F Dustin Byfuglien, F Ben Eager, F Colin Fraser, F Andrew Ladd, D Brent Sopel and F Kris Versteeg. Bowman said he doesn’t have a solution yet, but he doesn’t want to resort to trading away one of the key members of Chicago’s 2009-10 Stanley Cup run.
NBA
– The potential sign-and-trade deal that would send F Matt Barnes to the Raptors is now “dead,” according to a league source. “The sign and trade (scenario) is dead,” the source was quoted as saying, as neither Toronto, or the Magic have the money available to make the deal. It sounds like there was a serious “miscalculation” in the talks, and while it’s not certain that he won’t be joining the Raptors, it does sound unlikely to happen. Which is unfortunate, since Barnes already announced the deal on Twitter.
– Rockets’ GM Daryl Morey said that F Yao Ming (foot) possibly missing the first two months of the season is “totally false.” Morey was disputing an earlier report from the Racine Journal-Times. The GM says that Yao is entirely on track to be ready for the start of training camp and expects him to be in the lineup on opening night.
– The Bulls, Cavs and Clippers have expressed interest in G Flip Murray. He averaged 9.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game last season.
– ESPN is reporting that the company that insures Knicks players’ contracts told the team that it wouldn’t cover F Amare Stoudemire for international competition. The news was a shocker to the Knicks and the national team. While Stoudemire was with the Suns, he had what were considered successful operations on a knee and eye. But ESPN reports that the insurer had its “doubts.”
NFL
– According to the Baltimore Sun, Ravens’ FS Ed Reed (hip surgery) is likely to begin the regular season on the PUP list. Reed admits he’s doubtful for Week 1, and placement on reserve/PUP would cost him the first 6 games. Big blow to the Ravens’ D.
WWE
– WWE has announced two new hosts, both appearing on Raw this October. Actor Bobb’e J. Thompson will host Raw on October 18 in Calgary, Alberta. Thompson stars in the upcoming WWE Film’s release Knucklehead with Big Show, set for release October 22. WWE also announced that country singer Toby Keith will guest host on October 25, the night after the Bragging Rights PPV, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Keith is a huge wrestling fan who has appeared on TNA television in the past.
– Here is the updated card for SummerSlam on August 15:
WWE Championship Match
Sheamus (c) vs. Randy Orton7-on-7 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
VoV
Marc Valeri – captaincharisma@hotmail.com
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