NBA
– According to TMZ, Kim Kardashian and NBA star Kris Humphries have filed for divorce 72 days after their marriage.
MLB
– The Braves have traded RHP Derek Lowe to the Indians, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com. Atlanta will receive a Single-A LHP Chris Jones and eat $10M of Lowe’s $15M salary in 2012. Lowe finished this season with a 5.15 ERA and 1.51 WHIP over 34 starts, including a 8.75 ERA over five outings in September. Atlanta will be moving on with the likes of Tim Hudson, Jair Jurrjens, Tommy Hanson and Brandon Beachy are locks in the rotation, and Mike Minor, Randall Delgado and Julio Teheran will fill out the fifth spot. Cleveland will slot Lowe into a rotation consisting of Justin Masterson, Fausto Carmona, Ubaldo Jimenez and Josh Tomlin, with Carlos Carrasco recovering from Tommy John surgery.
– The Rangers have exercised RHP Colby Lewis’ $3.25M option for 2012. Lewis posted a 3.72 ERA and 196 strikeouts in 2010 and a 4.40 ERA with 169 strikeouts in 2011, topping 200 innings both years. The 32-year-old has been a huge bargain for the Rangers after playing in Japan for two years.
– The White Sox have exercised Jason Frasor’s $3.75M option for 2012. Frasor, 34, posted an ugly 5.09 ERA in 17 2/3 innings after joining the Sox in the three-team deal with the Blue Jays and Cardinals prior to the deadline, but he’s an established setup man with a career 3.74 ERA over eight major league seasons.
– Mariners’ RHP David Aardsma has elected free agency. Aardsma was activated from the 60-day DL and passed through waivers. The 29-year-old was going to be non-tendered after undergoing Tommy John surgery in July, but today’s transactions allows him to enter free agency sooner. Seattle bypasses his final year of arbitration. Aardsma saved 69 games for the M’s during the 2009-10 seasons. He probably won’t return to the mound until mid-2012.
– Rays’ LHP David Price opted out of the final year of his contract and will apply for arbitration. Price signed a 6-year/$8.5M deal in 2007 and was set to make $2.433M in 2012. Instead, he will use an opt out and look for a raise via arbitration, made possible because he qualified for Super Two arbitration status. Price, 26, posted a 3.49 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 224 1/3 innings this season, striking out 218 batters and walking only 63.
– The Cubs declined RHP Jeff Samardzija’s $3M option for 2012. Chicago expects to sign him at a lower base salary. Samardzija signed a 5-year/$10M contract in 2007 with options in 2012 and 2013. The Cubs can axe his salary by up to 20 percent and Samardzija is ineligible for arbitration. He posted a 2.97 ERA over 88 relief appearances in 2011. The Cubs are considering moving Samardzija to the starting rotation next season.
– The Red Sox have declined a $3M club option on RHP Dan Wheeler for the 2012 season. Wheeler was 2-2 with a 4.38 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 2011. After returning from the disabled list, he posted a 1.53 ERA from mid-May through the beginning of September, when he struggled due to forearm tightness. Wheeler, a Type B free agent, had no buyout in his contract.
NFL
– The Redskins have claimed RB Tashard Choice off waivers from the Cowboys. Choice was having an brutal year for the ‘Boys before being cut loose, averaging just 2.7 yards on 28 carries, but could be in the mix for carries as early as this week depending on how he looks in practice.
– Browns’ RB Montario Hardesty (right calf) is out indefinitely with a “moderate” tear.
WWE
– Updating a previous item, CM Punk appeared at the Ringsidefest collectibles event in New York City over the weekend and took a shot at former WWE star Chris Jericho. Punk was introduced as “the best in the world at what he does,” to which he clarified, he’s the best wrestler the world, but Jericho is the best in the world at what he does–dancing with celebrities. Chris Jericho has responded to Punk’s comment, tweeting the following on Monday afternoon::
“What’s worse…Dancing With Celebrities or Playing With Muppets?”
– WWE announced yet another new show that’s planned for the upcoming WWE Network – a daily live studio show that sounds similar to ESPN Sports Center. Here’s the official announcement – along with 5 potential names for the show, which WWE is polling fans about.
“In 2012, WWE Network’s new daily live studio show will connect you to the Superstars like never before. Tune in to score breaking news, exclusive match analyses, topics of the day, interviews, highlights, and commentaries, then go online and on-air to voice your opinion live with our show hosts and daily guest stars, including WWE Superstars like John Cena, Randy Orton, Kelly Kelly, Sheamus, Rey Mysterio, the Miz and more!”
You can vote here on which of the following names you think best suits the show:
WWE Power Center
WWE Action Center
WWE Event Center
WWE Live Event Center
WWE InterAction Center
– Horror movie website Bloody-Disgusting.com is reporting that former WWE wrestler Dave Batista has been offered a role in the upcoming Universal Pictures film Riddick, starring Vin Diesel. Directed by franchise creator David Twohy, Riddick will be the third installment of the Pitch Black / Chronicles of Riddick series. Aside from Vin Diesel and Karl Urban, other rumored cast members include Andreas Apergis, Katee Sackhoff (White Noise 2: The Light, Growl, The Haunting in Georgia) and Bokeem Woodbine (Total Recall, Devil). It’s worth noting that TMZ.com reported last week that production on the latest Riddck has been shut down due to Vin Diesel’s One Race Films production company failing to pay the owners of the Montreal studio where the movie is being shot, as well as members of the crew.
NHL
– A number of NHL players have taken to Twitter to defend Coyotes’ F Raffi Torres’ Halloween costume, where he and his wife dressed up as Jay-Z and Beyonce:
Tyler Bozak: “I cant believe this Raffi Torres costume is blowing up. It’s Halloween! Arent you supposed to dress up? I thought that was a great costume”
Paul Bissonnette: “As far as everyone trying to call “Racism” because Raffi dressed up like Jay-Z can simmer down. He’s a huge Jay-Z fan.”
Georges Laraque: “I know him and its really no big deal its even funny”
Eustace King: “Raffi’s outfit was harmless. It is Halloween. People need to relax and enjoy the spirit of the holiday.”
Of note, Laraque is black, as is King. King also represents a number of black NHL players, including Wayne Simmonds, Chris Stewart, Anthony Stewart, Joel Ward, Devante Smith-Pelley, amongst others.
– Penguins’ F Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin showed their Halloween costumes:
– Vancouver police are recommending that 60 people be charged with everything from assault to break and enter and taking part in a riot after last June’s riot in the city’s downtown. Police Chief Jim Chu says police have recommended the Crown approve 163 charges against the 60 alleged rioters. Chu told reporters that officers needed to spend the last four months on a vigorous investigation to ensure the most serious charges were laid against those who caused such extensive damage. Police have been under intense pressure to lay charges after thousands of people lit fires, burned cars and looted stores following the Vancouver Canucks’ loss in Game Seven of the Stanley Cup final. As of mid-October, a total of 79 people had admitted involvement in the riot and spoken to investigators. An earlier report released on the riot concluded police were overwhelmed by a massive and largely drunken crowd of people who poured into the downtown core to watch the game on large TV screens.