Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 908 of 1503)

      Julius Peppers unlikely to become a Patriot

      March 17, 2009 /

      Despite a report yesterday by NFL.com’s Vic Carucci, the NFL Network’s Adam Schefter and NBCSports’ Tom Curran says that the Panthers are unlikely to trade Julius Peppers to the Patriots.

      Julius PeppersCommunicating with two sources close to the “Peppers to Patriots” sandstorm that blew up suddenly Monday afternoon, I’ve learned…

      1. Julius Peppers would indeed be interested in playing for the Patriots.
      2. It’s a virtual certainty that he will not.

      The sources, obviously coming from different sides of the issue, didn’t go into greater detail beyond what I’ve shared .. no talk about contracts, salary cap, compensation back to Carolina or fits in the Patriots defensive scheme. That is, as they say, what it is.

      While the unlikelihood of the pieces falling together was something I looked at last night, Adam Schefter of NFL.com and the NFL Network was a morning guest on Boston’s WEEI and poured the first bucket of ice water on the notion.

      Turns out – as it often does – Schefter was pretty accurate.

      I wrote yesterday that since NFL.com was reporting the rumor, that the deal would likely get done. But I guess if it doesn’t come out of Schefter’s mouth, it probably isn’t true. Carucci doesn’t come off looking to good here.

      NFL, Rumors & Gossip

      2009 MLB Preview: #29 Washington Nationals

      March 17, 2009 /

      Click Here to see Previews of all 30 MLB Teams

      Offseason Movement: Perhaps the Nats’ biggest addition was 1B/OF Adam Dunn, who will add some pop to the lineup, as well as a fair amount of strikeouts. Washington also acquired OF Josh Willingham and LHP Scott Olsen in a trade with the Marlins and signed free agents Daniel Cabrera, Alex Cintron and Javier Valentin. In the deal to land Willingham and Olsen, the Nationals agreed to send 2B Emilio Bonifaci, INF Jake Smolinski and RHP P.J. Dean to Florida.

      Top Prospect: Jordan Zimmerman, RHP
      Zimmermann is a serious Rookie of the Year candidate and is turning in a fantastic spring. As of this writing, he has allowed only six hits, two walks and has struck out 16 batters over 12 1/3 scoreless innings. He seems to be over shadowed on a national level, but that’s mostly because the Nationals have yet to officially hand him a spot in the starting rotation. But that should change soon and as long as he doesn’t let the bright lights of the Big Leagues eat him alive, the 22-year old could be a future star.

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      MLB

      Julian Tavarez’s Baseball Quote of the Year

      March 17, 2009 /

      It’s only March, but pitcher Julian Tavrez already has baseball’s quote of the year all locked up.

      Julian TavarezJulian Tavarez, the combustible 35-year old pitcher showing his less-than-perfect-punching-form above, recently signed a non-guaranteed minor league contract with the Washington Nationals following a good performance for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. This deal comes months after the Nationals had originally offered Tavarez a contract. So why say yes now, after saying no thanks in November? Beer goggles, obviously.

      “Why did I sign with the Nationals?” Tavarez said told a group of reporters. “When you go to a club at 4 in the morning, and you’re just waiting, waiting, a 600-pounder looks like J. Lo. And to me this is Jennifer Lopez right here. It’s 4 in the morning. Too much to drink. So, Nationals: Jennifer Lopez to me.”

      His J-Lo metaphor continued when asked if he’d like be to a starter or come out of the bullpen (he’s played both roles during his 16-year career).

      “I would like to be a starter, but it’s like my father said: ‘You want Jennifer Lopez, but does she want you? No.’ You just take whatever she is giving to you. So I just take whatever they give to me.”

      If you’re the Nationals, what do you say to that? “Gee, thanks Julian – we’re glad that we could be the fat girl that you take home after having too much to drink and can’t land anyone better. We’re real honored.”

      If this was Randy Johnson that said this, the Nationals could probably laugh it off knowing that they’d still get 10-12 wins out of the Big Unit. But this is Julian Tavarez! Julian…Tavarez…!

      MLB

      2009 MLB Preview: #30 Pittsburgh Pirates

      March 17, 2009 /

      Click Here to see Previews of all 30 MLB Teams

      Offseason Movement: In typical Pittsburgh fashion, the Bucs didn’t make much of a splash in free agency this year. They did sign infielder Ramon Vazquez, who is coming off a career year with the Rangers, but he’s more of a utility man than a regular. The Pirates also signed outfielder Eric Hinske, who could wind up starting in left field as long as his bruised left ribcage heals in time for Opening Day, but will more likely be the club’s fourth outfielder.

      Top Prospect: Pedro Alvarez, 3B
      The Pirates finally drafted the best player available in 2008 and bucked the trend of staying away from prospects that command big signing bonuses. Contract negotiations between the club and Alvarez didn’t go smoothly, but all of that can be put in the rearview mirror if breezes through the minors. He was a 2007 Baseball America First Team All-American and was also a Golden Spikes Award Finalist in ’07, as well. He has outstanding hitting ability and rarely chases pitches out of the strike zone. If he stays healthy, Alvarez could be a young superstar in the making.

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      MLB

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