Category: Rumors & Gossip (Page 203 of 225)

      Did the Packers try to bribe Brett Favre to stay retired?

      July 31, 2008 /

      WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee is reporting that the Packers are willing to bribe Brett Favre to stay retired.

      WTMJ-TV Channel 4 in Milwaukee, citing two sources, reported Wednesday that Packers president Mark Murphy at least floated the idea to Favre of paying him a package in the neighborhood of $20 million over 10 years to remain retired. Murphy met most of Wednesday with Favre and his agent, Bus Cook, in Hattiesburg, Miss.

      A source subsequently confirmed that the Packers have discussed monetary compensation with Favre and Cook.

      Murphy arrived back in Green Bay at approximately 9 p.m. and did not stop to talk to reporters as he was driven from the airport. A few minutes later, the Packers released this statement from Murphy:

      “I was in Hattiesburg today and had a nice visit with Brett Favre. We discussed a number of topics not related to football, including Brett’s long-term relationship with the Packers. I consider our conversation to be confidential and am going to be respectful of Brett and his family and keep the details private.”

      When asked if the Packers had a specific comment on WTMJ’s report, Murphy’s spokesman, Aaron Popkey, said no further comment would be coming from the Packers this evening.

      Obviously, this doesn’t look good for the Packers. It appears to be a desperate attempt to keep the Favre circus from making a stop in Green Bay. Given their obvious (yet bizarre) distaste for bringing Favre back as the starter, coupled with their inability to agree on the appropriate compensation for a potential trade package, the Packers have grossly mishandled the situation.

      If this report is true, the leak clearly came from Favre’s camp. I highly doubt that anyone loyal to the Green Bay Packers would reveal that the team president tried to buy off the franchise’s most beloved player (of the modern era, anyway). This news will only serve to poison a difficult situation even further. For that, Favre (or his camp) is to blame.

      I still believe that Favre gives the Packers the best chance to win a title this season. Pundits across the country continue to debate about which team is the “best fit” for Favre. They talk about how he should go to a team that would be a contender if only it didn’t have an unsettled quarterback situation. Isn’t the “best fit” the Green Bay Packers?

      But if the team is 100% committed to moving on with Aaron Rodgers, then they should trade Favre for whatever they can get, whether it be a second- or a third-round pick.

      This ordeal needs to end, and not with a bribe.

      NFL, Rumors & Gossip

      Ron Artest headed to Houston

      July 30, 2008 /

      First, he decided not to opt out.

      Then he regretted not opting out.

      Now Ron Artest is heading to Houston.

      NBA front-office sources confirmed to ESPN.com that Artest will be dealt to the Rockets in exchange for Houston’s first-round draft pick in 2009, ex-King Bobby Jackson (who arrives with a $6.1 million expiring contract) and the draft rights to Donte Greene. The Kings will also receive more than $1 million in cash, according to The Houston Chronicle, but the deal can’t be announced before Aug. 14 because Greene is not eligible to be traded before then.

      If Artest had opted out, the Kings wouldn’t have received anything for him, so his mistake was their good fortune. Now they’ll get a nice prospect in Greene along with a 2009 first round draft pick as compensation. That’s the way to rebuild.

      On the flip side, Houston seems like an odd fit for Artest. Two of their best players – Tracy McGrady and Shane Battier – are really small forwards, and now the team is adding a third. The Rockets can play McGrady at off guard, Artest at small forward and Battier at power forward. Defensively, Artest and Battier will provide a formidable 1-2 punch at forward.

      Fantasy Basketball, NBA, NBA Draft, Rumors & Gossip

      Report: Dodgers, Red Sox talking Manny Ramirez trade

      July 29, 2008 /

      The New York Post is reporting that the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox are talking about a trade that would send Manny Ramirez and cash to L.A. in exchange for either Matt Kemp or Andre Ethier. The Post also believes that if Boston unloads Ramirez, the club would likely make a move for Mark Teixeria of the Braves.

      The Mets have continued to talk to the Red Sox without much possibility of finding a deal for Ramirez. The main track now involves the Dodgers. An executive who has spoken with officials from an involved team said it is his understanding that Boston would eat most, if not all, of the roughly $7 million left on Ramirez’s 2008 contract and in exchange would receive a top youngster such as Matt Kemp or Andre Ethier.

      The Red Sox would then have another deal in place to obtain Teixeira, who like Ramirez is a Scott Boras client who can be a free agent at the end of the season. The Red Sox would view the overall switch-hitting offense/Gold Glove defense package of Teixeira combined with the removal of the Manny being Manny soap opera as a plus for this season. In addition, they would get an insider two-month look at Teixeira to determine if they want to make a strong, long-term bid on him or simply offset what they give up now to get him by getting two draft picks when he signs elsewhere this winter.

      While it seems foolish that the Red Sox would trade one of the best players and eat most of his salary, landing Kemp would be huge. He’s 13 years younger than Manny, hits for average and can run exceptionally well for a guy that is 6-2 and 230 pounds. Kemp might not develop into the power hitter Ramirez is, but he’s an exceptional player and surely the Sox are hoping to land him over Ethier.

      MLB, Rumors & Gossip

      MLB Trade Market Report

      July 29, 2008 /

      SI.com’s Jon Heyman breaks down the latest rumblings in MLB as the July 31st trade deadline rapidly approaches.

      1. Mark Teixeira, Braves 1B. With the Braves fading and most of their other stars hobbled, they appear all but certain to find a new home for the switch-hitting star on the cusp of free agency. It appears that the offensively-challenged Diamondbacks could be the leaders, with the Rays waiting to pounce if Arizona can’t cut a deal. The smart money’s on the D’backs, who have already offered Chad Tracy as part of a package. The Angels, Dodgers and Red Sox appear to be the other main players.

      2.Manny Ramirez, Red Sox, OF. Boston is now talking to the Dodgers and a couple other teams. However, most believe it will be nearly impossible for the Red Sox to trade Ramirez without hindering their World Series chances.

      Am I on the only one the least bit shocked that the Braves have fared so poorly this year? It’s amazing to think that they gave up their best hitting prospect in Jared Saltalamacchia to acquire Teixeira at the deadline last year, only to turn around and trade Teixeira this season.

      And it’s going to be fun to watch the chess match continue between Ramirez and the Red Sox. As Heyman points out, you don’t trade away one of your best power hitters and expect not to take a step back. But still, the situation continues to escalade and it’s time for Boston to either crap or get off the pot with Manny.

      MLB, Rumors & Gossip

      Warriors lock up Andris Biedrins for six years, $63 million

      July 28, 2008 /

      The Warriors followed up the Monta Ellis signing by locking up their center, Andris Biedrins, for six years at the tune of $63 million.

      Biedrins’ agent, Bill Duffy, confirmed the player’s verbal agreement with the Warriors on Sunday night, saying: “I am so ecstatic for this young man, who came to a new country as an 18-year-old and has worked diligently to improve his game and assimilate to the NBA. He is committed to the Warriors and will continue to improve and help stabilize this team for the next six years.”

      At first glance, this might seem like a lot for Biedrins, who averaged just 10.5 points and 9.8 rebounds last season. I estimated his value at $8-$9 million per season, but I had a feeling he’s sign for over $10 million per season. On a minute by minute basis, he is the seventh most productive center according to John Hollinger’s PER. The other great thing about him is his age. At 22, he still has a lot of room for growth. He has improved his numbers each season, and if he can develop some sort of offensive game in the post, this will turn out to be a good signing for the Warriors.

      Fantasy Basketball, NBA, Rumors & Gossip

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