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      Hot Stove League: Lots of little movement

      January 24, 2009 /

      You know it’s a slow week in MLB again when the big news is that Jeff Kent has announced his retirement. And just like Kent does with ease himself, the news stirred up controversy. This volatile player has never quite been a media darling, and has often gotten into it with teammates. But there is now debate about the guy’s Hall of Fame credentials. Okay, he may have the most homers for a second baseman in history, but you can’t tell me this guy is in the same class as a guy like Joe Morgan. He’s just not. And while a .290 career batting average is nothing to sneeze at, 377 homers over 20 years is not exactly Babe Ruth-esque.

      Anyway, as Manny Ramirez remains unemployed, there were a few other smaller signings and moves this past week….

      Okay, this isn’t small but just announced on Friday, Prince Fielder has agreed to a 2-year, $18 million deal with the Brewers that will keep him firmly entrenched (and who could move the guy?) on first base in Milwaukee through 2010. I’m glad for the Brew Crew since they lost out to the mighty Yankees in the CC sweepstakes.

      Catcher Gregg Zaun re-signed with the Orioles, the team that drafted him back in 1989. The journeyman player signed a deal worth $1.5 million with a $2 million option for 2010.

      The Phillies signed outfielder Jayson Werth to a two-year, $10 million contract and also inked reliever Chad Durbin to a one-year deal worth $1.635 million.

      Young right fielder Nick Markakis of the Orioles came to terms on a six-year, $66.1 million deal, covering his first three arbitration-eligible years as well as his first three free agency eligible seasons. Clearly the O’s believe in this kid and want to keep him away from the Yankees and Red Sox.

      Two other catchers signed this week—Brad Ausmus reached agreement with the Dodgers on a 1-year, $1 million deal; and Henry Blanco signed a $750,000 deal for one year to back up Padres’ catcher Nick Hundley.

      Shortstop Omar Vizquel, who at 41 still looks like he’s 25, has been invited to spring training by the Texas Rangers. Vizquel signed a minor league deal that will allow him to mentor 20-year old Elvis Andrus, and to possibly become the team’s utility infielder. In order to make room for Andrus on the field, the Rangers are planning to move all-star shortstop Michael Young to third base. In addition, the Rangers are said to be casually wooing free agent pitcher Ben Sheets, who lives in Dallas.

      Meanwhile, Tom Covill of Yahoo Sports posted this great summary of the remaining big name free agents still looking for work. It’s really kind of mind-boggling, but looking at these tiny deals being signed this past week, it’s clearly about economics and nothing more.

      Bullz-Eye Sports Channel, Fantasy Baseball, MLB, Rumors & Gossip

      Chiefs fire Herm Edwards

      January 23, 2009 /

      ESPN.com is reporting that the Chiefs have fired head coach Herman Edwards.

      Edwards was 15-33 in three seasons with the Chiefs, including 2-14 this season.

      Edwards’ status has been in doubt since the Chiefs hired Scott Pioli as their general manager on Jan. 13. Asked at his introductory news conference about Edwards’ status, Pioli declined to say.

      He was 41-44 in five seasons as head coach of the New York Jets, including three trips to the playoffs.

      Not a total shock, obviously. New general manager Scott Pioli probably wanted the organization to start fresh, although it’s not clear that this point which way he’ll go in terms of a new head coach. Several rumors have Pioli reaching out to Cardinals’ offensive coordinator Todd Haley after the Super Bowl concludes, but there isn’t any hard evidence yet to support that.

      NFL

      Why Allen Iverson shouldn’t be starting in the All-Star Game

      January 23, 2009 /

      The starters for the NBA All-Star Game have been announced, and Allen Iverson is amongst the starters in the East. In my picks, I didn’t even have him on the roster, much less in the starting lineup. The Pistons are a mediocre team and AI is having one of the worst seasons of his career. Maybe that’s not his fault, but it doesn’t mean that he should get a golden ticket into the All-Star Game every season. More importantly, there are at least five guards — Joe Johnson, Devin Harris, Jameer Nelson, Ray Allen and Vince Carter — that are more deserving. With AI’s inclusion, there won’t be room for at least two of them in Phoenix.

      Here’s a look at their stats…

      AI: 16.15 PER, 17.9 ppg, 5.4 apg, 3.3 rpg, 1.6 spg, 42% FG, 28% 3PT
      JJ: 18.85 PER, 22.0 ppg, 6.0 apg, 4.5 rpg, 1.0 spg, 43% FG, 35% 3PT
      DH: 23.16 PER, 21.8 ppg, 6.4 apg, 3.0 rpg, 1.6 spg, 45% FG, 32% 3PT
      JN: 20.87 PER, 17.1 ppg, 5.3 apg, 3.4 rpg, 1.2 spg, 51% FG, 44% 3PT
      RA: 17.96 PER, 18.0 ppg, 2.7 apg, 4.5 rpg, 0.9 spg, 50% FG, 41% 3PT
      VC: 20.6 PER, 21.5 ppg, 4.7 apg, 5.0 rpg, 1.0 spg, 44% FG, 40% 3PT

      And here’s an argument for each guy…

      Joe Johnson: The Hawks are a game ahead of the Pistons and JJ’s stats are better in every category except for steals. I think Johnson deserves to start.

      Devin Harris: The Nets are only 5 1/2 games behind the Pistons — let’s face it, both teams are mediocre — and Harris’ numbers are vastly better than Iverson’s.

      Jameer Nelson: He’s having the second-best season of anyone on the Magic, and they are 8 1/2 games ahead of the Pistons. Iverson’s scoring is a bit better, but Nelson is a far better shooter and is as good or better than AI in every other category.

      Ray Allen: They have the best record in the East, 10 games better than the Pistons. Allen is a far better shooter, and while his assist and steal numbers are lower than AI’s, he’s a better rebounder.

      Vince Carter: See Devin Harris. Seriously, I prefer all these other guys to Carter, but I prefer Carter to Iverson. His numbers are better pretty much across the board and the Pistons and Nets aren’t too far apart in the standings. Carter and Harris are carrying the Nets while AI has more help — Rasheed Wallace, Rip Hamilton, Rodney Stuckey and Tayshaun Prince (who is more deserving of an All-Star nod due to his terrific defense and good stats).

      Since AI is in, that means we have to cross two players off that list of five (as there is likely to be just three additional guards on the roster). I would go with Johnson, Harris and Nelson. The Magic deserve two All-Star nods and Nelson’s numbers are a bit better than Ray Ray’s. As for Carter, the Nets probably don’t deserve two spots.

      NBA

      Dan Reeves returning to NFL as offensive coordinator for 49ers?

      January 23, 2009 /

      Adam Schefter of the NFL Network is reporting that the 49ers will interview former Broncos and Falcons head coach Dan Reeves to possibly become their offensive coordinator. Schefter notes that Reeves could be hired as soon as this weekend.

      Dan ReevesReversing the league-wide trend of relying on coaching youth, the San Francisco 49ers are bringing in former Broncos, Giants and Falcons head coach Dan Reeves on Friday afternoon to interview for their vacant offensive coordinator job, league sources said.

      Reeves last coached in the NFL with Atlanta in 2003 and since has tried on numerous occassions to return to the league. Now he has what might be his best chance.

      49ers coach Mike Singletary is looking for a veteran presence to run his offense, someone who relies on running the football, and after Scott Linehan turned down the job, thoughts turned to Reeves. Singletary has had a difficult time finding someone he trusts enough to call the 49ers’ plays, and the feeling is that he would be able to trust Reeves.

      Reeves, who turned 65 on Monday, is scheduled to arrive in San Francisco today and could become the team’s offensive coordinator this weekend. Word began to leak out Thursday night that Reeves was flying to San Francisco, and there were questions as to whether it was for an executive job, a consultant job or the offensive coordinator job.

      But every indication now is that it’s for the offensive coordinator job. The 49ers could get the type of coach they want, and Reeves could be back in the game.

      Wow. There’s no doubt that Reeves was a great coach (he coached in four Super Bowls), but his play calling in Atlanta was as vanilla as they came. I used to joke around with my college roommate that Reeves’ offensive game plan was to run the ball up the middle three times and then get the punt team out there. Everything is predicated on running the ball and play action fakes, which is great, but imagination and in-game adjustments were never Reeves’ strong suits. And at 65 years old, I doubt he’ll change his ways. (He struggled as a GM, too, so it’ll be interesting to see how much input he has on draft day if he is hired.)

      Still, he deserves a chance and he’s well respected around the league. And in terms of fantasy, Frank Gore’s value just went up sky high because there’s no doubt Reeves loves to pound the rock.

      Fantasy Football, NFL

      MMA Review for Friday, January 23

      January 23, 2009 /

      BJ PennHere’s a weekly rundown of MMA content from Ben Goldstein of CagePotato.com:

      – In the aftermath of UFC 93, it was announced that Dan Henderson will coach opposite Michael Bisping on the next season of The Ultimate Fighter, Quinton Jackson will fight Keith Jardine in March, and Chuck Liddell will take on Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in April.

      – Remember Jeff Monson, the former UFC fighter who was busted last week for anarchist graffiti? Well, he was arrested again for destroying his girlfriend’s grandfather clock when she discovered he had two wives. The good news is, one lucky prison will be getting a new grappling champion.

      – UFC ring girls Arianny Celeste and Ali Sonoma were photographed in very little clothing. (Photos possibly NSFW, and absolutely AMAZING.)

      – The battle to legalize MMA in New York is being stalled by one idiot assemblyman.

      – BJ Penn may have gone AWOL from the UFC’s new multi-million-dollar reality show.

      – Brock Lesnar has a Facebook page, apparently. And according to a recent status update, he’ll be having his heavyweight championship rematch with Frank Mir at UFC 98 (May 23rd, Las Vegas). Great profile pic, bro.

      – “Affliction: Day of Reckoning” goes down tomorrow in Anaheim, California. CagePotato.com will be liveblogging the pay-per-view broadcast beginning at 9 p.m. ET. For a preview of the action, check out this documentary on headliner Fedor Emelianenko, this in-depth discussion of the event and the promotion’s future, and some sound betting advice.

      – Or, you could spend your Saturday night watching Danny Bonaduce vs. Jose Conseco instead.

      Mixed Martial Arts, Women

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