VoV

– Unfortunately, I’m out tonight and off to the cottage for Saturday & Sunday, so I won’t be able to do any more live coverage of the 2010 MLB trade deadline. Deal with it.

TRADES

– The White Sox have acquired RHP Edwin Jackson from the D’Backs for RHP Daniel Hudson and LHP David Holmberg. Hudson, 23, has a 6.32 ERA over three starts with the White Sox this season, but posted a 3.47 ERA over 17 starts with Triple-A Charlotte and was regarded as the top pitching prospect in the organization. Holmberg, a 19-year-old left-hander, is 1-1 with 4.46 ERA over eight starts with Chicago’s rookie league team in Great Falls this season. He was ranked as the organization’s top left-handed pitching prospect coming into the year by Baseball America. The 3-way deal that would send 1B Adam Dunn to the White Sox, RHP Edwin Jackson to the Nationals, and RHP Dan Hudson and a prospect to the Diamondbacks is still in play, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

– The Twins have acquired RHP Matt Capps from the Nationals for C Wilson Ramos. The 22-year-old catcher hit .296/.321/.407 with three doubles in seven games for the Twins back in early May but he has a .625 OPS in 278 at-bats for Rochester. Ramos is a defensive rock and posted impressive numbers in a short stint with the Twins in May while Joe Mauer was nursing an injury. He’s struggled a bit at Triple-A Rochester this season, but the 22-year-old has plenty of room to grow and should do just that in the Nationals’ system. Minnesota has had interest in Capps for some time and is now more confident about acquiring a reliever than a starter. Twins assigned a scout to follow Toronto’s relievers. He earns a base salary of $3.5M this year ($1.3M remains) and can be retained as an arbitration-eligible player for 2011, though he’s expected to get a raise. Capps will become the closer, with RHP Joe Rauch moving to setup man. Nonetheless, I give the winning nod to the Nats.

– The Padres have acquired 3B Miguel Tejada from the Orioles for RHP Wynn Pelzer and cash considerations. The 24-year-old Pelzer is a power pitcher whose fastball sits in the mid-90s. As a starter, he has a 4.20 ERA with 7.9 K/9 and 5.3 BB/9 in AA this year, but could become a future closer. Tejada is owed $2M for the remainder of the season.

– The Blue Jays have traded INF Brett Wallace to the Astros for OF Anthony Gose. Wallace, originally a utility infielder, appears to be stuck at first base for now. Gose, 19, is a potential Gold Glove-winning outfielder with tremendous speed and defensive skills. His career potential has been compared to that of Rays’ OF Carl Crawford. Gose stole 76 bases two seasons ago.

– The Rangers have acquired 3B Jorge Cantu and $600K from the Marlins for RHP Evan Reed and RHP Omar Poveda. Cantu, 28, has 10 homeruns and is batting .259/.308/.408 this season. He becomes a free agent at seaason’s end.The 28-year-old becomes a free agent after the season and has said he would like to sign with the Marlins. At this point, the club is considering multi-year deals Reed, 24, has posted a 1.76 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over 41 innings this season between Double-A and Triple-A. Poveda, 27, is currently on the DL recovering from Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery. Cantu will give the Rangers a solid right-handed bat for the stretch run.

– The Phillies have acquired RHP Roy Oswalt and $11M from the Astros for LHP J.A. Happ, INF Jonathan Villar and OF Anthony Gose. The Astros will pay $11M of the approximately $23M left on Oswalt’s contract through 2011. Oswalt did not demand that his 2012 mutual option for $16M be picked up by the Phillies, but he would receive extra compensation if or when the Phillies decline. The 32-year-old ace leaves Houston with a 3.24 career ERA and a 143-82 career record, just one win shy of the franchise’s all-time leader Joe Niekro. The Phillies look dangerous with a Halladay-Oswalt-Hamels 1-2-3 punch.

– The Braves acquired 2B Michael Noboa from the D’Backs for a PTBNL.

– The Tigers have acquired 3B Jhonny Peralta and cash from the Indians for minor league LHP Gionvanni Soto. The Tigers have now addressed their vacancy at third base, though Peralta has hit just .246 this season with a .698 OPS, seven home runs and 43 RBI. Soto is a 19-year-old left-handed prospect who has had some success at the Single-A level.

– The Dodgers have acquired OF Scott Podsednik from the Royals for a minor leaguer C Lucas May and RHP Elisaul Pimentel. The Dodgers beat out the division-rival Giants to land Podsednik, who has hit .310/.353/.400 with five homers, 44 RBI and 30 stolen bases in 390 at-bats for the Royals. The speedster will be highly useful to the Dodgers. The acquisition crowd the LA outfield for the long run, but for right now, with Johnson and Ramirez on the DL, it works well.

– Cubs’ 1B Derrek Lee has vetoed a trade to the Angels by invoking his 10-and-5 rights, a form of a no-trade clause given to players who have played for at least 10 years and the last five with their current team. Lee, who has a full NTC in his contract, is due just under $5M for the remainder of the season and indicated he wanted to finish the year with the Cubs. He will be a free agent at the end of the season. Lee entered Wednesday’s action hitting .248 with 11 home runs and 44 runs batted in.

RUMOURS

– Astros’ 1B Lance Berkman (NTC) (acquired Wallace to replace him). In: White Sox. According to the NY Post, the Astros have been given the go-ahead by a high-ranking executive that they can move Berkman and begin the rebuilding phase. The White Sox have expressed interest, but only as a backup plan if they fail to acquire Nats’ 1B Adam Dunn. Ed Price of AOL Fanhouse reports that there is buzz about the White Sox “going for” Lance Berkman. Berkman is batting .245/.372/.436 with 13 homers and 49 RBI in 298 at-bats this year. About $5.4M remains on Berkman’s $14.5M salary this season. The Astros hold a $15M option for next year, but they can buy it out for $2M.

– The 3-way deal that would send 1B Adam Dunn to the White Sox, RHP Edwin Jackson to the Nationals, and RHP Dan Hudson and a prospect to the Diamondbacks is still in play, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

– The Dodgers and Cubs are discussing a trade that could send LHP Ted Lilly and 2B Ryan Theriot to LA. It’s not known whether a deal is close. The Cubs would need to hand over some cash, as Lilly has $4.3M remaining and Theriot has $933K. Theriot received a $2.6M salary for 2010 after losing an arbitration case to the Cubs in February. He’s under team control through 2012; the FOX writers see him taking over at second base for the Dodgers. There aren’t a ton of great matches for Lilly at this point, as action with the Tigers, Twins, and Mets has cooled and the Phillies are out of the mix. I wonder if we’ll hear anything about the Cardinals and Padres looking at the lefty.

– Nationals’ 1B Adam Dunn. In: Rays, White Sox, Tigers. Out: Yankees, Giants. Three-way scenarios involving the Nationals, White Sox, Diamondbacks and RHP Edwin Jackson. Dunn is batting .275 this year with a .916 OPS and 23 homers. The Giants have minimal interest in Dunn at the current asking price. Believed to have asked the White Sox for either SS Gordan Beckha or both RHP Daniel Hudson and RHP Dayan Viciedo.

– Rockies’ OF Brad Hawpe. In: Padres, White Sox, Tigers. Chicago’s interest lies on Nats’ 1B Adam Dunn, while the Padres are believed to be less interested after acquiring 3B Miguel Tejada. Hawpe, 31, has about $2.8M remaining on his contract this year and will earn $10M in 2011 unless his team buys him out for $500K, as expected.

– Jon Heyman of SI.com writes that the Mets are reluctant to trade OF Jeff Francoeur for for the Royals’ OF Jose Guillen.

– Brewers: Pulled OF Corey Hart and 1B Prince Fielder off the block because they feel they are too close to contention to sell, despite being 48-55 and nine games out of first place in the NL Central.

– Cubs’ LHP Ted Lilly. In: Phillies, Dodgers, Twins and Tigers. Out: Mets, Twins (no-trade list). Lilly has $4M+ remaining on his contract for the rest of the season. Lilly, 34, has posted a 3.69 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 18 starts this season.

– D’Backs’ C Chris Snyder. In: Nationals, White Sox, Red Sox. Trying to move both contracts without taking on any salary. Snyder makes $4.75M this year ($1.8M remains) plus $5.75M next year and either $6.75M or a $750K buyout in 2012. Snyder, 29, is hitting .231/.352/.426 with 10 homers this year.

– Cardinals inquire: LHP Jake Westbrook, LHP Aaron Cook. Cook’s return price is a reliever and a prospect. He’s owed $12M through the end of 2011.

– Cubs’ LHP Tom Gorzelanny. In: Mets.

– Red Sox’ SS Jed Lowrie. Out: Padres.

– Padres: searching for outfielders.

– Orioles’ 3B Ty Wigginton. In: Twins, Phillies and Giants.

– Jays’ LHP Scott Downs. In: Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, Twins. Jays have asked the Yankees for either RHP Joba Chamberlain or C Jesus Montero in exchange for LHP Scott Downs. Have asked the Red Sox for prospect INF Casey Kelly or INF Jose Iglesias for Downs. Mets turned down a deal that would have sent prospect OF Kirk Nieuwenhuis plus another prospect. Downs is hitting .185 against lefties this season. Downs owed $4M this season, free agent in 2011.

– Jays’ OF Jose Bautista. In: Phillies, Tigers, Braves, White Sox, Giants.

– Astros’ RHP Brett Myers. In: White Sox. Out: Mets.

– Brewers’ OF Jim Edmonds: multiple teams.

– O’s LHP Will Ohman. In: Giants.

– Angels potentially shopping OF Bobby Abreu, LHP Brian Fuentes, OF Hideki Matsui, and 2B Maicer Izturis might interest contenders. Abreu, Fuentes, and Matsui could be moved via waiver wire in August. Abreu is signed at $9M for next year and may have another $9M salary vest for 2012 and is hitting just .253/.347/.416 with 12 homers and 56 RBI over 380 at-bats this season.. Fuentes has been homer-prone and has over $3M left on his contract. Matsui’s market is limited by his DH profile, though he has tallied 122 innings in left field this year. *UPDATE* The Angels will not be selling at the deadline, as they believe they have a shot at the playoffs despite being 8.5 games back in the AL West and 12.5 games back in the hunt for the Wild Card.

– Indians are NOT shopping RHP Fausto Carmona. He’s potentially under team control through 2014.

– Yankees NOT shopping for a catcher.

– The NY Post reports that the Rays, Twins and Phillies are the most motivated buyers, while the Cubs, D’Backs and Blue Jays are the most motivated sellers.

– Mets may shop OF Jeff Francoeur after the non-waiver trade deadline.

– Yankees inquire: Scott Downs, Ty Wigginton

– Red Sox inquire: Rafael Perez, Will Ohman, Mike Gonzalez, Matt Capps, Michael Wuertz, Craig Breslow, Sean Marshall, Kerry Wood, David Aardsma, and Kyle Farnsworth. Searching league-wide for a reliever.

– Rockies inquire: 2B Ryan Theriot.

VoV

Marc Valeri – captaincharisma@hotmail.com
VoV – www.voiceofvaleri.com
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MLB

– The Phillies have acquired RHP Roy Oswalt and $11M from the Astros for LHP J.A. Happ, INF Jonathan Villar and OF Anthony Gose. The Astros will pay $11M of the approximately $23M left on Oswalt’s contract through 2011. It turns out that Oswalt did not demand that his 2012 mutual option for $16M be picked up by the Phillies, but he would receive extra compensation if or when the Phillies decline. The 32-year-old righty leaves Houston behind with a 3.24 career ERA and a 143-82 lifetime record, just one win shy of the franchise’s all-time leader Joe Niekro. With Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels and Oswalt, the Phillies immediately have the best 1-2-3 punch in all of the NL, if not all of baseball. If the Phillies make the playoffs again, they’ll be positively scary.

– Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Rangers have acquired 3B Jorge Cantu and $600K from the Marlins for RHP Evan Reed and RHP Omar Poveda. Reed, 24, has posted a 1.76 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over 41 innings this season between Double-A and Triple-A. Poveda, 27, is currently on the DL recovering from Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery. Cantu will give the Rangers a solid right-handed bat for the stretch run.

– The Padres have acquired 3B Miguel Tejada from the Orioles for RHP Wynn Pelzer and cash considerations. The 24-year-old is a power pitcher whose fastball sits in the mid-90s. As a starter, he has a 4.20 ERA with 7.9 K/9 and 5.3 BB/9 in AA this year, but could become a future closer. Tejada is owed $2M for the remainder of the season.

– The Blue Jays have traded INF Brett Wallace to the Astros for OF Anthony Gose. Wallace, originally a utility infielder, appears to be stuck at first base for now. Gose, 19, is a potential Gold Glove-winning outfielder with tremendous speed and defensive skills. His career potential has been compared to that of Rays’ OF Carl Crawford. Gose stole 76 bases two seasons ago.

– Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Astros are now fielding offers for 1B Lance Berkman. The Astros acquired a replacement for Berkman when they flipped OF Anthony Gose to Toronto on Thursday for 1B Brett Wallace. The 34-year-old Berkman is sure to draw interest from multiple contending teams. He’s batting .245/.372/.436 with 13 homers and 49 RBI in 298 at-bats this year. Berkman has a NTC and can veto any deal. About $5.4M remains on Berkman’s $14.5M salary this season. The Astros hold a $15M option for next year, but they can buy it out for $2M.

– Buster Olney of ESPN.com hears that the White Sox and Yankees are “out of the mix” for Nationals’ 1B Adam Dunn. The Nats’ demands are known to be sky-high and, though interest has been strong, no team yet has been able to find a match. Maybe GM Mike Rizzo is still hoping to sign Dunn to a contract extension, or perhaps he will be satisfied with draft picks if the the big man heads elsewhere this offseason. Dunn is batting .275 this year with a .916 OPS and 23 homers. The Rays are considered the frontrunners, while the Giants remain in the running.

– The Orioles have hired Buck Showalter to be their next manager. He’ll officially take over next Tuesday, when the Orioles kick off a seven-game homestand against the Angels. Showalter has been the favourite all along, so it was really just a matter of when. Showalter, 54, is 882-833 over 11 seasons as a manager in the big leagues. Showalter had been working as a baseball analyst for ESPN.

NHL

– The Thrashers have signed F Andrew Ladd to a 1-year/$2.35M deal. The 24-year-old native of Maple Ridge, B.C. had 17 goals and 21 assists for the Hawks last season, putting up three goals and three assists in the post-season en route to the championship. Ladd had filed for salary arbitration after earning $1.65M last season. Ladd scored 17 goals and 38 points in 82 games in 2009-10.

– The Sens have re-signed F Peter Regan to a 2-year deal. The 24-year-old played his first full NHL season with the Senators in 2009-10, tallying 13 goals and 29 points in 75 games.

NBA

– The Knicks have reportedly extended an offer to G Shannon Brown, who is still considering a return to the Lakers. The Lakers are well over the luxury tax, so moving Vujacic’s $5.4M salary would ease the tax hit associated with keeping Brown.

NFL

– The Steelers have signed OT Flozell Adams on a multi-year deal. Great news for the ground attack. The Steelers had no realistic option to step in for injured RT Willie Colon, so the 35-year-old Adams fills a major vacancy up front.

– The Falcons have signed No. 19 overall pick OLB Sean Weatherspoon to a 5-year/ $17.5M contract with $10.5M in guarantees. Last year’s 19th pick, Jeremy Maclin, signed for 5-years/$15.5M. The Falcons love the athletic Weatherspoon’s potential as a cover linebacker, but he’s expected to be eased in on special teams and nickel packages as a rookie.

– The Dolphins have signed 1st-round pick DL Jared Odrick to a 5-year contract with a maximum value of just over $13M with $7.133M guaranteed. Odrick is the reigning 2009 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.

TNA

– Hulk Hogan was apparently the subject of false internet rumors today. TNA Wrestling president Dixie Carter issued the following statement this afternoon regarding “The Hulkster”:

“HULK HOGAN IS ALIVE AND WELL. He did not drown. Not sure how these rumors get started. Awful.”

VoV

Marc Valeri – captaincharisma@hotmail.com
VoV – www.voiceofvaleri.com
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VoV

– Barring unforseen circumstances, VoV.com will be holding a live MLB TradeCentre. Joel Sherman of the NY Post reports that this year’s trade deadline could be quiet, as prospects are being overvalued, many teams are up against their budget and teams are still uncertain on whether they’re buyers or sellers. In addition, the market for relievers is extremely expensive this season, so many names that are rumoured to be dealt may have to wait until August.

MLB

– A source tells Jayson Stark of ESPN.com that Astros’ RHP Roy Oswalt has waived his no-trade clause to complete a trade to the Phillies in exchange for LHP J.A. Happ and two minor leaguers (possibly OF Anthony Gose and RHP Vance Worsley, not 1B Jonathan Singleton). The Phillies will also receive $11M. Oswalt’s $16M option for 2012 will not be exercised, but he will be compensated in another way. The deal isn’t official yet and will have to be approved by the commissioner’s office due to the money being exchanged. Oswalt’s contract has $5.46M left from his $15M salary this year, $16M in 2011, and a 2012 option for $16M with a $2M buyout. The Phillies have a ridiculous 1-2-3 punch in Halladay, Oswalt and Hamels.

– The Rangers have placed 2B Ian Kinsler (strained left groin) on the 15-day DL retroactive to July 28. Kinsler has been limited to just 76 of the team’s 101 games this season and just hasn’t been the elite source of power and speed he was last year in large part due to his ankle injury.

– Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times speculates that the Angels may be selling OF Bobby Abreu, LHP Brian Fuentes, OF Hideki Matsui, and 2B Maicer Izturis might interest contenders. Abreu, Fuentes, and Matsui would be tough to move, and could be waiver wire trade candidates. Abreu is signed at $9M for next year and may have another $9M salary vest for 2012. The 36-year-old is hitting just .253/.347/.416. Fuentes’ strikeout rate is back up, but he’s been homer-prone and has over $3M left on his contract. Matsui’s market is limited by his DH profile, though he has tallied 122 innings in left field this year.

– Contrary to rumours, the Indians are not shopping RHP Fausto Carmona. The Indians are listening, they don’t expect to receive a suitable offer. Carmona could potentially be under Tribe control through 2014.

– The Yankees are not expected to pursue a catcher, though they remain interested in Nats’ 1B Adam Dunn. The White Sox and Giants are believed to be the frontrunners.

– The NY Post reports that the Rays, Twins and Phillies are the most motivated buyers, while the Cubs, D’Backs and Blue Jays are the most motivated sellers.

– The St. Louis Post Dispatch reports that there is no substance to the trade rumours involving the Cardinals and 3B Miguel Tejada.

– ESPN reports that the Mets are expected to shop OF Jeff Francoeur after the non-waiver trade deadline.

– According to the NY Post, the Mets are very unlikely to acquire Cubs’ LHP Ted Lilly as they do not want to take on most to all of the $4.37M left on his contract, in addition to losing a package of prospects. In addition, the Mets are “almost completely unwilling to engage in serious discussions” for Astros’ RHP Brett Myers. Joel Sherman suggets the Mets might wait until August to acquire a pitcher.

– According to the Boston Globe, the Red Sox have inquired about Rafael Perez, Will Ohman, Mike Gonzalez, Matt Capps, Michael Wuertz, Craig Breslow, Sean Marshall, Kerry Wood, David Aardsma, and Kyle Farnsworth, reports Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. Cafardo says Jays’ LHP Scott Downs looks unlikely unless the Blue Jays back down from their top prospect requests.

– The Braves acquired 2B Michael Noboa from the D’Backs for a PTBNL.

NFL

– The Jets are expected to sign FA WR Laveranues Coles after a workout on Friday, according to ESPNNewYork.com’s Rich Cimini. The Jets need another receiver to compensate for Santonio Holmes’ suspension for the first month of the season. Coles showed last season that he has little left in the tank, but he’s familiar with Brian Schottenheimer’s offense and should be fine in the slot for four games.

VoV

Marc Valeri – captaincharisma@hotmail.com
VoV – www.voiceofvaleri.com
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MLB

– Cubs’ 1B Derrek Lee has vetoed a potential trade to the Angels by invoking his 10-and-5 rights, a form of a no-trade clause given to players who have played for at least 10 years and the last five with their current team. Lee, who has a full NTC in his contract, is due just under $5M for the remainder of the season and indicated he wanted to finish the year with the Cubs. He will be a free agent at the end of the season. Lee entered Wednesday’s action hitting .248 with 11 home runs and 44 runs batted in.

– Ed Price of AOL Fanhouse hears that a deal that would send Cubs’ LHP Ted Lilly to the Phillies for LHP J.A. Happ may be in the works. Price notes that the rumour is “not confirmed,” but it is worth looking at anyway. Lilly, 34, has posted a 3.69 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 18 starts this season and would give the Phillies a solid middle-of-the-rotation option.

– Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Cardinals are “showing interest” in Orioles’ 3B Miguel Tejada. The Cards also had a mild level of interest in Tejada this offseason, but never pulled the trigger. He’s batting just .271/.309/.364 with nine home runs this year in Baltimore, but the Cardinals are desperate for middle infield and third base help. Tejada is owed about $2M.

– Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that the Rays are in the mix to acquire Nationals’ 1B Adam Dunn. The White Sox and Tigers are also believed to have interest. Dunn is batting .278 with a .925 OPS and 23 home runs through 365 at-bats this season. The Nationals’ asking price remains high but could drop.

– Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle has confirmed that A’s RHP Ben Sheets will require a second flexor tendon surgery. Some believe that the surgery will end Sheets’ career, but he’s only 32 and will likely attempt a comeback. The righty was signed to a 1-year/$10M contract this offseason and posted a 4.53 ERA and 1.39 WHIP over 20 starts for the A’s.

– The Phillies have placed OF Shane Victorino (left abdominal strain) on the 15-day DL. The Phillies made the decision after Victorino underwent an MRI on Wednesday morning. Victorino wasn’t doing much offensively this month, batting just .245/.260/.408 over 98 at-bats.

NBA

– Former F Lorenzen Wright has reportedly been found dead in a wooded area in southeast Memphis. The Memphis Commercial Appeal cites a “law enforcement source” who confirmed the identity of Wright, who had been missing since July 19. The police are still investigating a 911 hangup call from Wright’s cell phone on Monday, leading to some speculation that Wright may have the victim of foul play. Wright, who was 34 years old, last played for Cleveland during the 2008-09 season.

– The Wizards have re-signed G Josh Howard to a 1-year/$4M deal, according to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports. Howard (torn ACL) is out until at least September, but should be in line to play plenty of minutes for the Wiz when healthy.

– The Raptors have acquired F David Andersen from the Rockets for a 2nd-round pick. The 6’11″ Andersen averaged 5.8 points and 3.3 rebounds in 63 games last season.

NFL

– ESPN’s Ed Werder reports that Broncos’ No. 25 overall pick QB Tim Tebow wants a larger contract than Cowboys’ No. 24 overall pick WR Dez Bryant. QBs almost always get more money than non-quarterback rookies, and Werder reports a “high degree of confidence” in Denver that Tebow will sign and report by the weekend. If he does hold out, it shouldn’t be longer than a day or two.

– According to the NY Daily News, Giants’ RB Ahmad Bradshaw was “limping much of the spring and limited in minicamp” after undergoing three offseason surgeries — one to each foot and one to his ankle. Observes beat reporter Ralph Vacchiano, “that’s a lot of surgery for a running back, especially one that makes his living off violent cuts.” Bradshaw promises he feels better than ever, but the signs don’t point toward him being fully healthy. The Giants begin training camp two-a-day practices this Sunday.

WWE

– Rich Ward, the guitarist in Chris Jericho’s metal band Fozzy, was a guest on the Monday Night Mayhem radio show this week and spoke about Jericho’s future after his WWE contract expires later this year. There’s been speculation that Jericho is looking to move on from WWE and focus on his entertainment career (music & acting). Here’s the recap:

The Band Working Around Chris Jericho’s WWE Schedule: “In the early days it was more difficult, because we didn’t have chemistry worked out because Chris was so busy, not just with working in the WWE, but the travel days also, whenever there was a day off here and a day off there. Basically what we had to do was be super organized in how we structured things, and till the last couple of years, it started to fall into place to where when Chris is just sitting in a hotel room or something, he’s writing lyrics. I then take his lyrics and start building songs around it, and then I would send him the demos with me singing his lyrics, and then we start work back and forth through MP3’s. If it wasn’t for the modern age of the Internet, I doubt Fozzy could exist.”

Whether Chris Jericho Will Leave WWE When His Contract Expires This Year: “He has told me that he has no plans on retiring, so as far as Chris stepping away from the ring, I have no idea if he has any plans to do that beyond the contract. I know from talking to him, and Chris’s business is his business, and never would I try to step and make announcements for him, but I think he told me that he’s contract negotiations with the WWE. With that in mind, I have no indications that he’s gonna take time off. I know he got two weeks off to do the UK run, and I know anytime we could get ‘Uncle Vinnie’ to give us a couple of weeks to go and play some rock shows in the UK, I feel like I owe him a steak dinner.”

Fozzy’s Potential: “To answer that honestly, I don’t even think about tomorrow. I’m so focused in the now and what I’m doing instead of looking down the road. I feel like that has worked for me, and maybe other people it helps to plans things, but I find for my music career (in general) if I’m touring with Stuck Mojo, I focus 1,000 percent on that. If I’m with Chris, and we’re on tour with Fozzy, I don’t think about Stuck Mojo, and I don’t think about what I’m gonna have for dinner. I think Fozzy could go on until no one wants to hear another one of our songs, and we will continue to play to out four or five fan club members. We will just continue to rock on at a very high level of proficiency.”

– Monday’s episode of Raw drew a 3.5 cable rating and averaged 5,192,000 viewers. The show did hours of 3.49 and 3.52.

– According to the Wrestling Observer, Melina made her return to WWE programming during Monday’s television taping in San Antonio, Texas. She performed a run-in following a Six-Diva Tag Match pitting Alicia Fox, Jillian and Tamina against Eve, Gail Kim and Natalya, attacking the Divas Champion. Her return will be televised during next Monday’s episode of Raw. It was her first appearance inside a WWE ring since she underwent surgery for a torn ACL suffered last December. She spent the past few weeks at the company’s developmental facility in Tampa, Florida training for her return.

WWE creative brass initially planned on inserting Melina into the ongoing John Morrison vs. Ted DiBiase program as means to feature mixed tag matches, but said plans were nixed last week. Instead, she will going after Fox’s Divas Championship. A three-way feud between Melina, Fox and Eve is tentatively planned, though Maryse may be put in the mix. Meanwhile, Maryse and DiBiase’s “power couple” placement is an offshoot of plans initially tapped for the French beauty and The Miz last year. Plans were changed when Maryse took a hiatus to recover from knee surgery and Miz got over well enough with the audience that she was no longer needed by his side. Maryse was ultimately placed with DiBiase in an effort to get him over.

– WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog at JRsBarBQ.com with some commentary on the following topics:

Monday’s RAW: “Enjoyed Raw Monday night by and large. I do know this….if John Cena’s team doesn’t put their own personal agendas behind them then the Raw 7 has NO chance against The Nexus at Summer Slam. That point was made abundantly clear over the two hour broadcast from San Antonio. No unity=no win for Raw. “No win for you” ala Seinfeld’s ‘Soup Nazi.’ Got it? Good. ”

Scouting Talent at FCW: “It’s back to Tampa for me this weekend to observe the FCW try out camp that likely will have over 50 individuals taking part in the process. Now seems to be a timely opportunity to get noticed and perhaps signing with WWE and assigned to FCW which needs more viable athletes and quality numbers in general.”

John Morrison The Next HBK? “I Tweeted @JRsBBQ that I liked John Morrison’s new beard and that I thought it made him look a little more rugged. Morrison is a gifted athlete who has ’something’ that physically reminds me of a young HBK. One can only hope that Morrison can begin to approach the success that Shawn Michaels earned but that’s some king sized expectations. Nonetheless I think that Morrison can be a major player within WWE once his complete game comes together which simply takes time.”

– According to The National Enquirer, Hulk Hogan’s ex-wife Linda, 50, is engaged to wed boyfriend Charlie Hill, 29 years her junior. She met Hill two years ago following her divorce from the wrestling superstar. It would appear that the former married couple have buried the hatchet as the wrestler added his well wishes regarding Linda’s engagement. “I’m ecstatic for her, I’m very happy for them,” Hogan said in an exclusive statement to RadarOnline.com. “I think they’re perfect for each other. I wish them the best.”

David Houston, Hogan’s attorney, echoed his sentiment, touching on the couple’s contentious split and how they’ve seemed to move on from that dark period: “Obviously, when you go through a divorce, there is a great deal of emotion and you go through your ups and downs. He was married to her for 23 years so there is a certain degree of affection and he does wish her the best.”

Meanwhile, daughter Brooke, who is one year older than Hill, bares a negative stance towards her mother’s beau. “He is a loser,” she was quoted last year as saying. “I don’t have a problem with age; it’s more about character. Her love is not real and not right.” The wedding is reportedly slated to take place next summer aboard Linda’s yacht named ‘Alimoney’. The article also notes that one of the places they’re registered at is Game Spot.

VoV

Marc Valeri – captaincharisma@hotmail.com
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VoV

– VoV has brought in a new TNA Impact writer who will be contributing reviews every week.

NHL

– Bruins’ F Marc Savard (concussion) passed a neuro-pscych test on Tuesday. He continues to skate and practice, although the Bruins will not put a timetable on his return, as he’s yet to take any contact. He’s been doing nothing for six weeks, so he has to get back into game shape. If the Bruins can beat the Sabres in Game 5, he’ll be back for Round 2.

– Sabres’ F Thomas Vanek (ankle) may be able to return to the lineup Friday. Vanek has missed the last two games with an ankle injury. He skated for 40 minutes on Wednesday, but couldn’t play in game four later that night. With the Sabres facing elimination, down three games to one, look for Vanek to return Friday. How effective he’ll be is anyone’s guess, but his presence should give the Sabres an emotional boost at the very least.

– The three nominees for the Lady Byng Trophy (most gentlemanly player) are Red Wings’ F Pavel Datsyuk, Lightning’ F Martin St. Louis and Stars’ F Brad Richards. Voting was conducted by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association at the end of the regular season. Datsyuk has won the Lady Byng four straight times, edging St. Louis the past three seasons.

Datsyuk is bidding to become the first player ever to win the award in five consecutive years. Datsyuk led Detroit in scoring with 70 points while racking up just 18 penalty minutes. St. Louis had a strong season, posting 94 points for the Lightning. His 12 penalty minutes were the fewest among the League’s top-50 scorers and the fewest among the 88 players who appeared in all 82 games. Richards won the Lady Byng Trophy in 2004 and was a runner-up to Datsyuk in 2006. He finished seventh in league scoring with 91 points and was assessed only 14 penalty minutes while averaging more than 20 minutes of ice time per game.

– The three finalists for the Calder Trophy (rookie of the year) are Sabres’ D Tyler Myers, Avalanche’ F Matt Duchene and Red Wings’ G Jimmy Howard. Most experts think that Myers will win the award, but Howard has been more valuable, both in reality and statistically. All three are worthy of being named the Calder Trophy winner

– Finnish free agent G Jussi Rynnas has agreed to sign a two-year, two-way contract with the Leafs. The Buds are waiting to hear back from Rynnas’ agent, Allain Roy, to finalize the deal, which is reportedly a two-year, two-way contract. The 22-year-old Rynnas is slated to play for the Marlies next season. The Stars, Flyers, Canadiens, Coyotes and Leafs were all thought to be pursuing the young netminder.

– Wild’ F Mikko Koivu (knee, shoulder) will spend his entire off-season rehabbing as he will undergo two operations; his right knee (three-four weeks), and a torn labrum in his right shoulder (four months). He should be fine though, barring any setbacks, for training camp.

– Capitals’ coach Bruce Boudreau said Wednesday that the Caps will not be distracted by a police investigation into a suspected steroid supplier who reportedly had dealings with the team.

Police in Polk County, Florida interviewed the coach and some players a month ago after the arrest of Douglas Nagel, a chiropractor whose office is adjacent to the team’s practice facility in Virginia and who has treated some of their players, Sports Illustrated reported in its April 26 issue.

The report said Nagel is a client of former bodybuilder Richard Thomas, from whose Florida home police seized $200K worth of pills, bottles and syringes — some containing steroids. Thomas told police he supplied performance-enhancing drugs to several pro athletes, including members of the Capitals and the Washington Nationals baseball team. Boudreau said some members of the team were interviewed by police.

“I know the police investigated, they interviewed a lot of our players, including me. It was pretty in-depth. So I didn’t think at any time they were worried about us. They were trying to find out about trying to find out stuff on the guy who was supposed to be dealing with these things. I don’t know anything else about the story. I’d love to tell you, but I have no clue.”

Sports Illustrated said police talked to forwards Matt Bradley and Eric Fehr and defenceman Shaone Morrisonn, who had all been treated by Nagel.

Alternate captain Mike Knuble said police arrived after practice one day, talked to some players and left.

“They talked to a few guys who were in for chiropractic service. I don’t even know the extent. We didn’t talk about it that much, but I think the authorities asked their questions and they seemed to be satisfied at the time.”

“It’s not affecting any of us. I don’t know what to say about it, whether the timing is that they meant to do, or it’s just the time when the story was broken.”

A statement from NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said a “thorough investigation” was conducted by the league and there was no evidence that Nagel ever supplied PEDs to any player.

Sports Illustrated, however, quoting an email obtained from police, said NHL security chief Dennis Cunningham admitted that, contrary to Daly’s statement, no league investigation was ever made. The report also called into question the NHL’s anti-doping program, which has testing during the regular season, but none in the playoffs or the off-season. It said eight of the 10 shipments from Thomas to Nagel were made during the playoffs and another just after the end of the 2008-09 season.

WWE

– Next Monday night on RAW, WWE presents the 2010 Superstar Draft. Here’s what we know so far:

– WWE has released of WWE Divas Mickie James and Katie Lea Burchill as well as Superstars Shelton Benjamin, Kung Fu Naki, Slam Master J and Jimmy Wang Yang as of April 22, 2010.

James had been with the company since 2005, when she made her debut as a stalker of Trish Stratus. She’s had heat on her at various times throughout her WWE career and some people backstage in WWE felt that she had a a cocky attitude. She also rubbed people the wrong way after making it clear she wasn’t happy to be drafted to SmackDown last year. Most recently, she was said to be partying pretty hard during WWE’s European tour and overslept on morning – holding up several of WWE’s tour buses.

The fact that she’s been working on a country music album outside of the auspices of WWE did not help her case either. It’s interesting to note that she made several radio appearances this afternoon, the day of her release, to promote Monday’s WWE draft. James posted the following message on Twitter regarding her release from WWE this afternoon:

Thank you James Gang! I just want to say its been a beautiful journey… Wwe has been a childhood dream come true & I have loved every step… There is not a moment I would change for the world… It breaks my heart but the world doesn’t stop turning.. I’m grateful for all my friends, family, loved ones, and fans who have supported me along this wonderful ride. To all the guys and gals I’ve had the pleasure of sharing the ring with… We made some magic! History… Memories to last a lifetime… Thank you… I love you all with all my heart! Every chapter has its close… The next one Is only gonna get better… I promise you that! =) One truly never knows what tomorrow may hold… That’s why we embrace every moment… In love & joy! The James Gang Rides! Even stronger than before…. To Victory! Haha…. On ward & upward! Much Love…. Muah! JG4L…… MJ

NBA

– According to the Miami Herald, the chances of the Heat re-signing G Dwyane Wade are “as certain as a layup, but not necessarily a slam dunk.” Addressing his free agency before Game 2 of the Heat/Celtics playoff game, Wade reiterated his preference would be to remain with the Heat for the rest of his career, but also said there are a couple of teams that could make him reconsider his options. “It’s not a huge window at all. It’s a small gap. You have to always keep your book open for your options and look at different things. But no, I’m not that open where I would go anywhere and would want to be almost anywhere.”

– According to the Salt Lake Tribune, Jazz’ F Andrei Kirilenko (calf) is attempting to return before series’ end. Kirilenko, who traveled to Los Angeles to receive platelet-rich plasma therapy for his calf on Monday, called it “probably highly unlikely, but it’s a good goal” as far as trying to return before the end of the first round. If not, Kirilenko will look to be back for the Western Conference semifinals, should the Jazz advance past the Nuggets. Kirilenko was upbeat after having blood drained from his injured calf, in addition to the PRP therapy, which involved injecting Kirilenko’s calf with the concentrated platelets from his blood. The therapy is believed to help accelerate healing. Kirilenko said he thought the build up of blood offered an explanation for the repeated calf strains he has battled in the last month-plus.

– According to the Detroit Free Press, the Pistons are likely bringing back F Ben Wallace next season. Wallace turns 36 in September and could retire, although it sounds like he intends to play another season. The Pistons valued the veteran’s leadership and defensive presence last year, and probably wouldn’t have to offer him too much more than the $1.3M he earned this season. But unless Detroit makes some big changes this summer, Wallace may not have much interest in playing for such a bad team.

– Jazz’ F Mehmet Okur (torn Achilles) will begin active rehabilitation in two weeks after undergoing surgery Tuesday to repair his ruptured left Achilles tendon. Okur ruptured the tendon during the Jazz’s loss at Denver on Saturday. The injury will force Okur to miss the remainder of the playoffs.

– According to the NY Daily News,  former Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy isn’t interested in coaching the Nets, or any other team, according to his brother, Magic’ coach Stan Van Gundy. Before the Magic/Bobcats playoff game Wednesday, Stan told Fanhouse.com that it is clear to him that his TV brother is unlikely to be pacing any sideline in the near future. Jeff is a television analyst and has not coached in the NBA since the end of the 2006-07 season, when he was fired as head coach of the Rockets.

MLB

– A CT scan on Red Sox’ OF Jacoby Ellsbury’s ribs Thursday revealed four non-displaced hairline fractures. The Red Sox aren’t sure yet if the fractures will slow his recovery timetable, but it doesn’t sound good. Ellsbury was placed on the 15-day DL earlier this week and is unlikely to return in the month of April.

– The Nationals have placed RHP Jason Marquis (right elbow) on the 15-day DL, retroactive to March 19. Marquis woke up with pain in his throwing elbow Wednesday morning, hours after allowing four runs in a one-inning start Tuesday against the Brewers. An MRI later revealed “loose bodies” in the elbow and he’s expected to meet with a specialist at some point this week. If the injury is as bad as it sounds, he’ll be out a while.

– The Jays have placed 3B Edwin Encarnacion (sore right shoulder) on the 15-day DL retroactive to April 15, and LHP Brian Tallet (left forearm) on the 15-day DL.

– The Phillies have placed LHP J.A. Happ (left forearm) on the 15-day DL, retroactive to April 16. Happ first complained of the soreness after his April 16 start against the Nationals. He tried throwing on Thursday afternoon, but made it through just a couple of pitches before calling it quits. The Phillies have not yet said how long they think he will be out.

– The Dodgers have placed RHP Jeff Weaver (lower back tightness) on the 15-day DL. Weaver left Wednesday’s game in the eighth inning after suffering the injury. He’s allowed three earned runs in 5 1/3 innings of relief this season and should return from the DL soon after he’s eligible.

– The A’s have placed OF Travis Buck (strained right oblique) on the 15-day DL. Buck suffered the injury while taking batting practice in the indoor cage on Wednesday. He was batting .219 (7-for-32) with one home run and two RBI to begin the season.

– Former 1B Kevin Millar will join MLB Network as a studio analyst. The 38-year-old Millar was given an invite to spring training by the Cubs, but was cut just prior to the start of the regular season. A native of Los Angeles, Millar batted .223 with seven homers and 29 RBI in 78 games with the Jays in 2009. Over his 12-year career, which has included stints with Florida, Boston, Baltimore and Toronto he has played in 1,427 games and has batted .274 with 170 homers and 699 RBI. He was an integral part of the 2004 World Series champion Red Sox.

– The Mets have placed RHP Ryota Igarashi (left hamstring) on the 15-day DL.

– The Astros have placed 3B Chris Johnson (strained right intercostal muscle) on the 15-day DL retroactive to April 18.

NFL

– NFL Network analyst and longtime QB  Brett Favre confidant Steve Mariucci said on WFAN radio Thursday that Favre is still undecided about his playing status for 2010. Mariucci says Favre is “still bothered” by the ankle injury he suffered in the Vikings’ playoff loss. “He’s trying to heal up. His body is recovered except for that ankle. It’s an ankle that he had surgery on twice before and it’s still pretty puffy…he’s trying to determine: is his body telling him something here?” It’s not surprising that Favre is healing somewhat slowly at age 40. He’ll be with the Vikes on Week 1.

– ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Raiders have formally dropped out of the running for Steelers’ QB Ben Roethlisberger. They’re reportedly the only team the Steelers had talked seriously with. Schefter reports that the Jaguars are also out of the “sweepstakes,” and the Rams and Bills both dropped out Wednesday. The most likely scenario remains Big Ben staying put and serving his 4-to-6 game suspension on the Steelers’ suspended list. Pittsburgh has a Week 5 bye, so we won’t see him play before Week 6.

Schefter believes that Big Ben will likely stay with the team for the 2010-11 season. The Steelers may be hoping that the trade rumors scare Roethlisberger straight, and get him to comply fully with the NFL’s behavioral policies, which Roethlisberger’s agent indicated Thursday morning that he would. Ben’s ban from all pre-training camp activities would’ve made him an undesirable trade target in the first place.

– A league source tells PFT that the Vikings are in “hot pursuit” of Redskins’ DE Albert Haynesworth. The Vikes are prepared to strike while in Super Bowl contention. The Titans and Lions are also expected to make a push for Haynesworth.

– The Vikings have signed CB Lito Sheppard to a one-year/$2M contract. Sheppard, 29, finished last season with 31 tackles, one interception, and eight pass breakups. He’s not the same player he was years ago.

– The Raiders have acquired DE Quentin Groves from the Jaguars in exchange for a 5th-round pick in 2010. A steal for Jacksonville. Groves, a 2008 2nd-round pick, has flopped in his first two seasons, managing just 2.5 sacks in 31 games. In Oakland, he’ll compete in the nickel package behind Richard Seymour and Matt Shaughnessy.

– The Titans have re-signed DT Tony Brown to a three-year contract. A 2009 Pro Bowl alternate, Brown has racked up 13 sacks, 142 tackles, and four forced fumbles over the last three seasons. He also led the Titans last year with 33 quarterback hurries. Brown’s re-signing won’t stop Tennessee from making a move for DE Albert Haynesworth, but the 29-year-old was worth locking up as a relentless, productive interior rusher.

TNA

– Talk continues within TNA that Vince Russo will be scaling back his role as TNA’s head writer. While many will be glad to see somebody new take over, Russo is known for writing long, detailed scripts – and whoever gets that position will have a lot of segments to write each week. Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff have been editing Russo’s scripts each week, but neither one of them wants to write a full script from scratch each week.

– TMZ is reporting that Hulk Hogan has sued his insurance company Wells Fargo South East, claiming it put his $30M fortune at risk for only paying out $250K to John Graziano, who was severely injured as a passenger in Nick Hogan’s 2007 car wreck. Hogan claims the $250K policy limit exposed him to personal liability in settling his case with the Graziano family and claims Wells Fargo never advised him to seek greater coverage, being that his teenage son was a high-risk driver. No word on how much Hogan is seeking from Wells Fargo East.

– Daffney was also injured at Tuesday’s tapings during a dark match with a wrestler named Miss Betsy, who was receiving a tryout with the company. Dixie Carter wrote on Twitter that Daffney had to visit the hospital following the match and suffered “deeply bruised sternum & a severe stinger (temp spinal trauma) but no nerve damage.”

– Homicide has been told that LAX will be put back together when Hernandez returns in around two months. Homicide is said to be skeptical about the news. Both he and Hernandez did not like being broke up in the first place. Regarding Hernandez, it was Dixie Carter’s decision to send him to Mexico full-time while he’s recovering from the storyline injury. Several TNA officials including Terry Taylor were against sending him to Mexico.

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