VoV

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MLB

– SI reports that the Yankees have told the Jays that they are interested in trading for RHP Roy Halladay.

Doc only has one year left on his contract, but a few days ago, the Jays announced that whatever team is interested in Halladay and makes the best offer will get a time window to try and get Halladay signed to an extension. It is believed that the Blue Jays would like a package of players from the Yankees that would include RHP Phil Hughes or RHP Joba Chamberlain. Former Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi tried to get the Yanks to trade him both of these guys for Halladay and that went nowhere. What might give the Yankees an edge, according to Heyman, is that Halladay could engineer his no-trade clause to a team amenable to an extension, much like Mets LHP Johan Santana did two years ago. Though new GM Alex Anthopoulos hasn’t acknowledged such a window is possible, the Yankees are one of a select few teams, as are the Red Sox, who could award Halladay with the long-term stability he seeks. Stay tuned.

– According to the Milwaukee Sentinel Journal, LHP Jarrod Washburn is considering the Twins and Brewers as possible suitors so he can finish out his career not far from home. The Brewers are also apparently looking at LHP Doug Davis, LHP Randy Wolf and LHP Mark Mulder. Mulder apparently wants to get back together again with pitching coach Rick Peterson. Stay tuned.

– According to FOXSports.com, Cardinals president Bill DeWitt III is optimistic about OF Matt Holliday returning to the Cardinals. “Like any club, you have to set your budget and make sure you live within it. As it relates to Matt, we have an internal sense of what we can do. Hopefully, he’ll view that as enough.” “The process has to play itself out…There’s no point in getting into the posturing that seems to be going on out there a little. We’re trying to keep him. We love Matt. We’re trying to get him signed. If not, we’ll move on to a Plan B.” Holliday officially hits the open market at 12:01 am on Friday.

– Red Sox manager Terry Francona would like to see OF Jason Bay back in Boston next season. “He has earned the right to be a free agent. This is his first time and he wants to see it through. You know we’re going to be a major player — we always are. Do I hope it gets done? Yeah. I bet you Jason Bay hopes it gets done, but he’s going to have other options, too.” Boston’s exclusive negotiating window with Bay comes to a close on Friday, but there’s a good chance he stays put.

– MLB.com is reporting that while 13-year vet RHP Jason Schmidt has filed for free agency, he is leaning towards retirement. “Leaving my options open. At this moment, no, I’m not thinking about pitching anymore. Down the road, I’m not sure. Initially, I’d say no way. I’m not planning on playing at this moment. In my mind, I retired when I left in August.” Schmidt, 36, had only 10 starts for the Dodgers in 2009, going 3-6 with a 6.02 ERA. It’s an unfortunate way to finish off a career in which he has a 130-96 record, 3.96 ERA and 1,758 strikeouts.

– Commissioner Bud Selig said Wednesday he’s working on tightening up the 2010 playoff schedule so there will be fewer gaps between games. Angels manager Mike Scioscia criticized the current format after the Yankees and Angels played only eight times in 20 days going into Game 6 of the AL championship series. “We’re going to change it. I don’t disagree with Mike Scioscia. I think he was right, so we’re going to try and tighten that up.” Selig also said he would continue to discuss instant replay, but it’s not expected to be a major topic when owners have a full meeting Thursday morning even though there were several missed calls by umpires during the postseason.

– The Brewers have claimed C George Kottaras off waivers from the Red Sox.

NHL

– Updating a previous story, the Blackhawks are very close to signing F Jonathan Toews and F Patrick Kane to contract extensions. D Duncan Keith, however, is close to signing a massive extension believed to be anywhere from eight to 13 years. Keith, considered one of the best blueliners in the league, had 31 points with 29 assists and 2 goals and led the team in blocked shots with 148 in 2006-07.

– Canadiens F Brian Gionta (broken left foot) is out indefinitely.

– Kings F Ryan Smyth (UBI) is out about a month. Kings coach Terry Murray would not specify what kind of injury Smyth has. Smyth was off to a great start to the season with nine goals and 23 points in 22 games.

– Capitals F Quintin Laing (broken jaw) is out four-to-six weeks. Laing took a puck square in the face during the third period of Tuesday’s 4-2 victory over the New York Rangers. He underwent surgery which saw team doctors insert plates on the left side of his face and also wire his jaw shut.

– Penguins D Jay McKee (infected finger) is out two-to-four weeks.

NFL

– NFL.com’s Vic Carucci reports that the Bills will meet with former Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan next week. Carucci confirms that Shanahan is Buffalo’s “No. 1″ head coaching target. The meeting will involve owner Ralph Wilson and COO/GM Russ Brandon, who Shanahan would probably give a pink slip to if he’s hired. It’s well known that Shanahan wants full control of football operations, even if taking on such responsibilities didn’t work out towards the end of his Broncos stint. Wilson is reportedly willing to offer The Mastermind any amount of salary to take the job.

– The AP reports that Broncos QB Kyle Orton has torn ligaments in his ankle. The good news is Orton’s injury is to his left ankle; his right was the problematic joint in 2008. Orton, in a contract year, “adamantly” wants to start against San Diego, and the Broncos’ coaching staff is surely with him after seeing QB Chris Simms complete 3-of-13 passes for 13 yards in the second half of last week’s loss to the Redskins. Look for Orton to play Sunday, but he won’t be close to 100 percent. Reserve him in all leagues.

– According to two neurological specialists, Eagles RB Brian Westbrook should make a “full recovery” from his pair of concussions. Doctors say his symptoms “improved significantly” in the last three days, and that Westbrook produced all favorable test results. “We are very encouraged by Brian’s progress, we believe that he has an excellent prognosis,” the docs added. Westbrook will get another checkup in two-to-three weeks after being put on a “comprehensive rehab plan,” although the Eagles were advised to take a “conservative” approach with their 30-year-old tailback. It appears Westbrook’s career isn’t over, but he’s still no sure bet to return in 2009.

– According to Dolphins beat writer Jeff Darlington, Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown’s season-ending right foot injury is “believed” to be a Lisfranc fracture. The break will likely require surgery and bring into question Brown’s status for 2010 training camp. By late July, he’ll be seven months removed from the injury. A source tells Darlington that the mid-foot fracture isn’t “anything major as far as career or long term,” but Brown will likely miss all of OTA season. The doc will decide whether Brown needs an operation.

UFC

– According to Sherdog.com, Randy “The Natural” Couture and Mark Coleman have verbally agreed to a fight at UFC 109 on February 6.

TNA

– Psycho Sid Promotions sent out the following on Wednesday announcing former WWE & WCW champion Sid Vicious is headed to TNA:

The Return of the Master and Ruler of the World “Psycho” Sid Vicious is coming to TNA Wrestling!

Spike TV Thursday Nights!

We warned WWE that this would Happen.

Never say Never!
Stay Tuned

-Psycho Sid Promotions

Additionally, Sid’s official MySpace page now has a huge TNA logo with the words “Never Say Never.”

WWE

– WWE has announced that the following celebrities will be hosting Raw: Jesse “The Body” Ventura (11/23), Verne Troyer (aka Mini Me) (11/30), Mark Cuban (12/7), Dennis Miller (12/14).