MLB
– Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that the Brewers offered RHP Zack Greinke a 5-year/$100M+ contract extension within the last few weeks. Greinke, however, is not expected to take the offer. Heyman was told by one source that the offer could have been close or equal to the 5-year/$112.5M extension that the Giants gave RHP Matt Cain earlier this season. It’s unclear how much Greinke could fetch on the open market, but it likely won’t be as much as what the Brewers have tabled. Greinke remains a trade candidate as we approach the deadline–Greinke is expected to test free agency this winter regardless of where he finishes the season.
– Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that the Nationals are “trying hard” to acquire Cubs’ RHP Ryan Dempster. The Dodgers, however, are still considered the favorites to land him, according to Heyman. The Braves and Tigers are also still in the mix.
– Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports that RHP Roberto Hernandez is expected to receive a new visa from the State Department soon, allowing him to return to the United States. A person with knowledge of the situation said, ”Things are moving forward. It’s looking a lot better right now.” Hernandez has been in his native Dominican Republic, where he’s training at Cleveland’s baseball academy. The Indians don’t anticipate Hernandez receiving a suspension for falsifying his identity because he’s reworked his contract.
– The Rockies have acquired LHP Jonathan Sanchez from the Royals for RHP Jeremy Guthrie. The Rockies receive $1.1M of salary relief. Both teams are swapping two struggling players.
NBA
– Celtics’ G Courtney Lee will receive a 4-year/$21.5M contract from the Celtics, a source tells Yahoo! Sports. It’s a great deal for Boston, as Lee will be a fine addition of the bench. He may even be promoted to the starting five if G Avery Bradley (shoulder) is not ready for the start of the season.
NFL
– The Chargers have signed RB Jackie Battle. The 29-year-old projects as the third-string back behind Ryan Mathews and Ronnie Brown. He set career highs in carries (149), rushing yards (597), and touchdowns (2) last season, starting four of 15 appearances with the Chiefs.
WWE
– Paul Heyman is confirmed to appear on this week’s 1,000th RAW episode with Brock Lesnar.
– A company in New York recently trademarked “ECW” for wrestling use as WWE let their trademark expire on it. Former ECW head Paul Heyman was asked about the news.
Yes. Dumbshits who think they can recapture the magic. Some people never learn! RT: @TheFear1980 any idea who bought rights to ecw now tha..
Letters don’t mean anything. WWE’s #ECW wasn’t ECW. Any1 can buy letters. Big deal. ECW was based on ORIGINAL IDEAS!
It’s called “having an imagination.” Obviously, trying to be a duplicate ripoff of the past is not “new” or “original” nor “game changing.”
#ECW was a product of its time. When I wrote @WWE #Smackdown in 2002/03, I didn’t try to duplicate ECW.
If someone wants to take a try at re-doing #ECW, knock yourself out. Go for it. Maybe ur investment is smarter doing something NEW!!!
– There was talk that WWE had nixed the General Manager angle and that no permanent GM would be announced at the 1,000th RAW. The angle is back on and William Regal, among others, has thrown his name into the running. Regal wrote:
I would like to let @WWE know that I’m more than capable of being both GM of Raw and Smackdown and keeping my NXT announcing duties.#Oldpro.
A Tout from me about becoming the new GM.@WWE # RegalforGM . tout.com/m/2hgpg3?ref=t…
Just to let @WWE know #RegalforGM is trending on #Tout.No more part time one trick pony people in this job please.You know it makes sense.
– According to the Wrestling Observer, WWE officials have been impressed with Heath Slater’s recent work with the returning Legends.
– Billy Gunn has posted another episode of “The Gunn Show”:
– Mick Foley wrapped another comedy show in Long Island last night and this time WWE cameras were rolling. It sounds like WWE may be working with Foley on another project. Foley wrote the following after the show:
Good night – I have a feeling that these next twelve months will see many of my @WWE fans choosing to follow me on this new adventure.
– Former WCW star The Stro wrote the following about WWE’s latest signing KC McKnight:
“Congradulations to one of my finest students K.c. McKnight for signing a WWE contract recently. Very proud of him. He has worked hard in the US and Japan. So much heart and dedication to the business. It is his time now to show that and much more to the world. Show them what you’re made of brother! You deserve the best! God bless you always.”
TNA
– DirectTV and Viacom have come to an agreement and have immediately put their channels including Spike TV back on the air.
DirectTV: Read the DIRECTV press release on return of Viacom channels – directvpromise.com #DIRECTVHasMyBack
Viacom: DIRECTV and Viacom reach agreement; DIRECTV to return Viacom channels to air immediately shar.es/tKjuY
According to the Wrestling Observer, reports indicate that everyone in TNA is happy to hear that the two media giants have settled their recent contract dispute. They also know that it hurt them to lose DirecTV’s 20 million plus subscribers, even if it was only for 2 weeks. People within TNA feel strongly about ttheir current product and the direction that they are going in.