John Cena vs. The Undertaker at WrestleMania 26?, WrestleMania 27 to be Held in Toronto, Cardinals Not Pursuing Jason Bay
VoV
-– You can keep up with VoV through Twitter by clicking here.
WWE
– The Undertaker vs. John Cena is one of the planned main-event’s for WrestleMania 26, according to F4WOnline.com. The groundwork for potential matchup was set on this past Monday’s RAW when Cena received a tombstone after the main-event match had ended.
– According to sources, WrestleMania 27 is looking to be held in Toronto at the Rogers Centre. WWE is still weighing other options including Miami, Indianapolis and Atlanta and an official decision should be made soon.
MLB
– Cardinals GM John Mozeliak indicated Tuesday that the Cardinals will not pursue OF Jason Bay, even if they miss out on OF Matt Holliday. Mozeliak said, “We’ll see how the market develops. Is (Bay) a possibility? Sure. But right now it’s fair to say he’s not one of our top priorities.” The Cardinals are reportedly intrigued by free agent OF Xavier Nady and would rather spend major cash on bolstering their infield and starting rotation if Holliday moves on. Bay is drawing heavy interest from the Red Sox and Mets.
– Free agent right-hander RHP Jason Marquis told the New York Post Tuesday that he’s a “perfect fit” for the Mets. “There’s definitely interest there. We’ll see what direction they want to go.” Marquis, 31, went 11-6 with a 3.65 ERA during the first half of the season but 4-7 with a 4.56 ERA after the break. He signed a three-year/$21M deal when he hit the free agent market last year and is thought to be looking for a similar contract this winter.
– According to the NY Post, the Red Sox have requested medical records on free agent LHP Mike Gonzalez and RHP Rafael Soriano. Gonzalez, 31, went 5-4 with a 2.42 ERA this season and converted 10 of 17 save chances. Soriano, 29, was 1-6 with a 2.97 ERA in 77 games and racked up 102 strikeouts in 75 2/3 innings. He converted 27 of 31 save chances. Both would serve as excellent setup men in the Boston bullpen.
– According to FOXSports.com, LHP Jarrod Washburn senses “mutual interest” in a possible return to the Mariners. “Not saying it will happen, but I know I enjoyed my time there, my wife and kids loved it there, and I think they have some interest. So, I see that as a possibility.” The 35-year-old Washburn was 31-49 with a 4.17 ERA in parts of four seasons in Seattle, but was 8-6 with a 2.64 ERA in 2009 before getting dealt to the Tigers at the trade deadline. Washburn could also see the Twins and Brewers as a potential fit since they are close to his offseason home in Wisconsin.
– Rockies skipper Jim Tracy was named the NL Manager of the Year, earning 29 of 32 first-place votes. Not bad for a guy who wasn’t even a manager at the beginning of the season. Tracy took over the gig in May after Clint Hurdle was fired and guided Colorado to a 74-42 record and the NL Wild Card in one of the most rapid turnarounds in major league history. Along with the playoff berth, the Rockies established a new club record with a 92-70 record. Tracy becomes the first Rockies manager to win the award since Don Baylor in 1995. Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa (2) and Dodgers manager Joe Torre (1) were the only other two managers to receive first-place votes.
In light of this, the Rockies have signed Tracy to a three-year contract extension. Tracy, 53, had an extension coming for some time now. In addition to the deal, Tracy’s entire staff will return for 2010.
– Angels skipper Mike Scioscia was elected the AL Manager of the Year, after receiving 15 of 28 first-place votes. Scioscia led the Angels to their third straight division title, their fifth in the past six seasons, despite a rash of injuries and the tragic death of pitcher Nick Adenhart in early April. Though the Angels fell to the Yankees in the ALCS, Scioscia is the first manager to lead his team to the playoffs six times in his first 10 years as manager. This is Scioscia’s second AL Manager of the Year award, as he won with the Halos back when he won the World Series in 2002. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire came in a close second, earning six first place votes, while Yankees manager, Joe Girardi, M’s manager Don Wakamatsu, Rangers manager Ron Washington and Togers manager Jim Leyland rounded out the AL ballot.
NBA
– CBS Sports’ Clark Judge and ESPN’s Adam Schefter both report that the Vikings are on the verge of signing coach Brad Childress to an extension. Judge reported on October 20 that the deal would be completed “within 2-3 weeks” of that date. Childress is currently the lowest paid head coach in the NFC North, but is expected to make twice as much as his current $2M salary via the new deal. He is 32-25 with one playoff berth in 3 1/2 years as Vikings head coach.
NBA
– Blazers F Travis Outlaw (foot) is expected to miss three-to-five months after undergoing surgery on Wednesday. Initial reports had him returning sometime in January, but this updated timetable changes things dramatically.
NBA
– Lakers G Kobe Bryant hit 17-of-29 shots and a 3-pointer for 40 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals in Tuesday’s win over the Pistons. This was Kobe’s 100th 40-point game, putting him behind Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan on the all-time list. He’s also suffering from a groin injury.
