NFL
– According to the Boston Globe, the feeling in New England about a potential reunion with free agent WR Randy Moss is that his Patriots’ “ship has sailed.” New England has been Moss’ most frequently mentioned potential landing spot, but the Patriots have remained quiet. One of the Pats’ top offseason priorities this season is expected to be finding a vertical threat downfield, but Moss could be seen as just a short-term fix after he was traded away in 2010. The Jets and Bears are also in the mix.
– Citing a source familiar with the situation, the AP reports that the Bills and free agent WR Stevie Johnson are “far apart” in contract talks. A Buffalo News report late last week said that the sides had “exchanged proposals” about a new deal. Discussions will be ongoing during next week’s Combine. Per the AP, Johnson does not expect to receive the franchise tag. Free agency begins March 15.
MLB
– Cubs’ GM Jed Hoyer said the team plans to talk to RHP Matt Garza’s representatives about an extension sometime during spring training. ‘‘We focused really hard on getting the one-year number done a few weeks ago. We didn’t have any kind of long-term discussions before that, but certainly there was some dialogue about possibly having some long-term discussions at some point maybe this spring… I think we probably will sit down and talk.’’ The Cubs considered trading Garza earlier this offseason, and he could still by on the trade block at the deadline if a long-term deal isn’t worked out before then. The 28-year-old isn’t eligible for free agency until after the 2013 season.
– Brewers’ RHP Francisco Rodriguez may file a grievance or lawsuit, citing malpractice or fraud, against his former agents this week regarding a no-trade clause in his last contract. K-Rod, pitching out the final year of a 3-year/$37M contract with the Mets in 2011, believed he had a no-trade clause that permitted 10 teams he couldn’t be dealt to, including the Brewers. Instead, he discovered in July that his former agents, Paul Kinzer and Arn Tellem, never filed the no-trade paperwork and he was traded to Milwaukee, where he was forced into a setup role, which also likely dropped his value as a free agent. Rodriguez fired Kinzer and Tellem and hired Scott Boras. “He’s going to lose a lot of money, the question is whether it’s seven figures or eight figures,” said attorney Richard Johnson, who said the Wasserman Group, for which Kinzer and Tellem work, backed out of at least a $1M damage payment before the eventual mediation hearing. “There’s long-term damage to his career. He wasn’t even in position to be marketed as a closer last winter. They really [messed] with his career in a monumental way.”
– The Pirates have officially acquired RHP A.J. Burnett and cash considerations from the Yankees for RHP Diego Moreno and OF Exicardo Cayones. The Yankees are expected to cover around $18M of the approximately $31M left on Burnett’s contract. The Pirates will pay him $5M this season and $8M in 2013. The 35-year-old did well in his first season in New York, but posted a 5.20 ERA over the following two seasons. He struck out 173 batters over 190 1/3 innings last season and has logged at least 32 starts in each of the last four seasons, and should see a stats boost pitching in the NL Central.
– Free agent DH Johnny Damon said he’s no longer considering signing with the Yankees after being told by GM Brian Cashman that he’s not their first choice to fill the designated hitter role. ”We both are looking at other options now.’’ Cashman said, “He called and I told him the truth. He’s not the No. 1 option if and when I turn to DH options.’’ DH Raul Ibanez is their top priority, and is expected to sign once the trade involving RHP A.J. Burnett becomes official.
– Cardinals’ C Yadier Molina said Sunday that the Cardinals and his representatives have ceased extension talks “for now.” ”We stopped talking about it. For now, I think. For now, we’ve stopped talking (about extension). For now.” Molina said he would be willing to discuss an extension during the season if the team approached him. Both sides are interested in working out a long-term deal, but it’s not known how close they are in terms of years and dollars. The four-time Gold Glover will hit free agency next winter.
– Giants’ RHP Ryan Vogelsong (strained back) will miss at least the first 10 days of spring training after straining his back on February 7 while doing squats. The 34-year-old former signed a 2-year/$8M contract with a club option for 2014 last month, after a breakout season that saw him post a 2.71 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 179 2/3 innings.
– Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times expects the Mariners to name 3B Chone Figgins their leadoff hitter within the next few days. OF Ichiro will move down the order, likely to the No. 3 spot. The 34-year-old batted a brutal .188/.241/.243 over 313 plate appearances in 2011 while battling injuries, but he’s a career .280/.352/.368 hitter.
WWE
– Randy Orton (concussion) will be re-evaluated on February 27 after he suffered a concussion on last Monday’s Raw SuperShow when World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan hit Orton in the head with the title.
“Randy sustained head trauma following his match with Big Show, in which Daniel Bryan interfered, and he was evaluated in the training room immediately afterward,” WWE physician Dr. Michael Sampson told WWE.com. “Due to his symptoms as well as his neurological evaluation, he was diagnosed with a concussion. We will be doing more testing to see how he’s going to do as far as short term vs. long term.”
The concussion rendered Orton unable to compete in tonight’s SmackDown Elimination Chamber Match.
– The Undertaker has been confirmed for tomorrow’s Raw, where he’ll call out Triple H. WWE also published a video of Taker with a message to Triple H, saying that he’ll will write the end to Triple H’s ending tomorrow:
– WWE developmental talent Taylor Rotunda (aka Bo Rotundo) was released from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in Tampa, Florida today at 12:58 p.m. after posting $500 bond. He was arrested at 2:36 a.m. in Temple Terrace, Florida and charged with Driving under the influence. Two breathalyzer tests showed blood-alcohol levels of .166 and .178, over double the legal limit in the state of Florida.
– A jury trial for former WWE talent Travis Tomko (a/k/a Tyson Tomko) has been postponed until May, reports Wrestling Globe. Tomko was arrested on October 11, 2011 on robbery charges, after allegedly robbing 210 tablets of Oxycodone from a CVS Pharmacy in St. Augustine, Florida. Following the alleged robbery, he went to a nearby Chili’s restaurant, where he injected 178 “crushed up and melted down” pills into his system while spending 30 to 40 minutes in a restroom.
– Drew McIntyre’s current losing streak on SmackDown is expected to culminate with a character makeover. PWInsider.com reports that the Scottish wrestler will become an “arrogant playboy.”
– Layla (torn ACL/MCL) stated on Twitter that her knee is stronger than ever. She stated during a recent radio interview that she could return in time for WrestleMania XXVIII. She’s been out since May of 2011.
– Jim Ross has published a new blog entry on his official website, www.jrsbarbq.com. Highlights are as follows:
WWE Legends’ House: “I know that it is a reality show that will see several WWE luminaries with strong personalities living in a large home in Southern California where they will attempt to coexist for several weeks. The 24/7 cameras rolling will undoubtedly capture some classic content. How several, I think 8, grumpy, old men survive this will be interesting and entertaining. I don’t know where Legends House will air but I assume that it was originally created for the upcoming WWE Network but also could theoretically air elsewhere.”
Brodus Clay: “He’s alive and well. I have the utmost confidence that the big man is going to eventually be successful in WWE. His absence from recent TV broadcasts isn’t a death sentence and has been grossly over analyzed by many. Clay had no role at Sunday’s Elimination Chamber which was obviously the focus of WWE TV in recent weeks. Lots of new personas have to be tweaked or should I say need to be tweaked on a regular basis. Clay’s upside is obvious IMO.”
His picks for Elimination Chamber: “Cena will beat Kane in what will be a challening, physical & a bowling shoe ugly brawl ending up with one man being taken out of Milwaukee in an ambulance.
“I’m thinking by hook or crook that Daniel Bryan retains the World Title in the Smackdown Elimination Chamber but these are so tough to predict.
“Seems as if CM Punk would be able to retain the WWE Title BUT Chris Jericho looms large and should not be overlooked. So…I’ll go with Jericho in the upset leading into WrestleMania 28.
“Beth Phoenix should retain against the vastly improved and evolving Tamina Snuka as I think that Kharma is impatiently waiting in the wings for the winner. However, if Tamina upsets the Divas Champion I will only be mildly surprised. She has really distinguished herself in the past few weeks.”
– Goldust is campaigning for WWE to release a DVD set highlighting his career.
“Come on @WWE ….the @WWEUniverse wants a goldust greatest hits dvd….make it happen or ill come to stanford for #shattered dreams,” he wrote on Twitter.
NHL
– The Wild have signed F Kyle Brodziak to a 3-year contract extension. He’ll earn about $2.83M per season over the life of the deal. Brodziak has 15 goals and 29 points in 58 games this season. He would have become a UFA on July 1.
– The Red Wings extended their home winning streak to 22 games in Friday night’s 2-1 win over the Predators, capped off by a crazy Pavel Datsyuk assist that led to the game-winning goal with less than five seconds left in the game. Check out Datsyuk’s incredible assist, followed by the game-winner:
– Flyers’ D Chris Pronger’s (concussion) wife, Lauren, spoke again about her husband’s ongoing recovery:
“That has been brought up lately; there are a lot of parallels between the two (Keith Primeau). I think Chris is now starting to realize maybe he should be in communication with him to know what’s ahead of him. The more information you get, the better off you are. You kind of know what to expect and what you’re going to be going through.
“Obviously, there will be differences, but if you have somebody that’s been through it, it will help.”
Lauren said that Chris has “good and bad days. Unfortunately, I can’t report any major improvement. It’s very disheartening. . . . He’s not himself, and it’s not in a good way.” She said she sees “a lot of difference in Chris” since he was injured.
“We’re just hoping to have a couple of good days in a row and see him back to his normal self again. I know he wants that, too. It’s very frightening for him as well.”
Lauren Pronger called her husband’s recovery “disheartening” and said he wants to be on the ice “more than anyone. This is what he loves. This is his passion.”
– Wild’ F Warren Peters has been suspended 1 game for cross-checking Blues’ F David Perron on Saturday. Peters will forfeit $2,905.41 in salary.
NBA
– Following the Knicks’ loss on Friday, ESPN aired a racial slur towards G Jeremy Lin in reference to his nine turnovers on the day, citing a “chink in the armor.”
Check out the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ESEGRwnQW4k
ESPN later issued the following statement:
“We are conducting a complete review of our cross-platform editorial procedures and are determining appropriate disciplinary action to ensure this does not happen again. We regret and apologize for this mistake.”
BOXING
– Following Dereck Chisora’s unanimous decision loss to Vitali Klitschko on Saturday night, heavyweight fighter David Haye, who was on colour commentary ringside, called out Chisora. Shortly after, a brawl broke out, A few moments later a brawl broke out, which had Haye throwing a camera tripod at Chisora. Chisora repeatedly threatened, “I am going to shoot David Haye!” Check out the video: