Overnight at the Winter Baseball Meetings

The Central Maine Sports Blog is reporting that Francisco Rodriguez is not as close to signing with the Mets as widely reported. The CMSB sources tell us that K-Rod came out of meetings disappointed to the point that reps told other teams K-Rod was available to talk to them at any time. It looks like the Mets offered only 2 years, far from the 5 years K-Rod is looking for. Our source also stated opinions have surfaced in Las Vegas to not be surprised if K-Rod stays put in Anaheim(or Los Angeles, wherever the are).

Our source also states things are very slow otherwise.

Does This Make the Red Sox the Decepticons?

Me John Lackey, me no like the Red Sox.

This was suppose to be their year. They had a lights out closer who destroyed the single season saves record. They added pop to what had been an anemic line up in the off season and at the trade dead line. They won 100 games and their division by 21 games. So how is John Lackey taking his team’s early exit form the playoffs? Uh, not well.

Lackey, who won a World Series his rookie year with the Angles but has had to watch the Boston Red Sox celebrate a trip to the ALCS three times in the last 5 years, made these comments in a Grimlock-like tone while hopping up and down so much that Torii Hunter was embarassed:

“We lost to a team that’s not better than us. We are a better team than they are. The last two days, we shouldn’t have given up anything”
This was followed by:
“[Sunday] night they scored three runs on a pop fly that was called a hit, which was a joke,”
And then:
“[Monday] night they scored on a broken-bat ground ball and a fly ball that anywhere else in America is an out, and he’s fist-pumping on second base like he did something great.”

Lackey has had his own personal struggles with the Sox. He is 0-2 with a 3.67 ERA in the playoffs, but has struggled mightily when he has gone to Fenway over the past 3 seasons; 2-2, 5.11, 24.2 IP, 31 H, 14 ER while the Sox were hitting .295 off of him. This only adds to the frustration that the Angels lost to a Sox team that was, this time, without Manny, Lowell, a healthy Beckett and had numerous first and second year players make key contributions.

However, for Lackey to say anything about another team, or division for that matter, being a joke is far off base. The Angels played in the weakest division in baseball. While the AL East sported 4 teams that won 86 games or more, the Angels were the only team in the AL West to reach 80 wins. Further, excluding their 4 game series with the Twins, the Angels played a whopping 9 games against playoff teams in the second half of the season, none after September 7th. So perhaps the joke was the Angels 100 wins being legit. Perhaps the Angels coasted into the playoffs on the strength of an Ohio State like schedule. Perhaps the Sox, in the midst of a pennant race with the Rays while fending off the Yankees for the better part of the season, were ready to play.

Anyways, I always find it funny when someone from a losing team declares that they were the better team. Really? Does it matter who is the perceived “better team”? Is John Lackey going to grab Dr. Martha Jones and the TARDIS and time travel back to the start of the series to prove that his team was the better team? (Editor’s Note:I cried reading that last line, tears of joy)

Fact is, the Angels got outplayed, and all the rattle-shaking and bed wetting by John Lackey is not going to change the fact that he and his Angels will now be able to work on their putting and short games.

John Lackey’s last hope….where are you Tom Baker and your 13 foot scarf??

Sorry No Links This Morning

I want to apologize for this post being the first of the day, but I do want to let you know why. Jeff and I were doing interviews all day (and by all day I really mean all day). It started at 8:45 am this morning when we talked with Buster Olney from ESPN.com. At 11:30 we spoke with Dr Mike Marshall, the 1974 NL Cy Young Award winner. At 3:30 we spoke with former Montreal Expo and current Toronto Blue Jay Brad Wilkerson, and 15 minutes after that interview we spoke with former Maine Guides and Cleveland Indians manager Doc Edwards. The Doc Edwards interview will be up by Sunday, the other ones will be posted on Tuesday, which is officially “Montreal Expos Appreciation Day”. We will also be having two more Expos guests on early next week, former Expos GM Jim Beattie and former Expos pitcher and Angels GM Bill Stoneman. You are going to like these interviews, they were all fantastic (sorry Christopher Eccleston). Also, pay close attention to Buster Olney’s blog on ESPN.com early next week….

Normal links tomorrow for a CFB weekend. Enjoy the rain everyone!

Wednesday Morning Quick Hitters

MLB

John Lackey nearly no hit the Red Sox on a night when The California Angels acquired Mark Teixeira. Lil Dusty Pedroia broke up the no hit bid with 1 out in the 9th and YOOOUK followed that up with a 2 run shot over the monster to ruin the complete game shut out bid. The Sox lost 6 – 2, leaving them 2 games behind Tampa Bay.

Speaking of Tampa Bay, they extended their lead on the Sox by shutting out the Toronto Blue Jays 3 – 0. Matt Garza threw his 1st career shutout allowing only 5 hits while striking out 5.

Kevin Millar played Yankee killer again hitting his 2nd home run in as many nights helping the Orioles to a 7 – 6 win. Daniel Cabrera pitched into the 8th inning before getting tossed for intentionally hitting A-Rod after an A Bomb…nope can’t finish it…The loss put the Yankees 4 games back of Tampa Bay.

Game 2 of the NLCS goes to the Cubs. Carlos Zambrano pitched flawlessly for 8 innings and Fukudome and Mark Derosa contributed 2 RBIs a piece to put the Cubs 3 full games up on The Brew Crew. Cubs Win, Cubs Win 7 – 1.

The Minnesota Twins moved to within a 1/2 game of the White Sox, coming back from a 4 -0 deficit to beat Pale Hose 6 -5. Justin Morneau finished off the 5 run 5th inning with a bases clearing double. Clayton Richard took the loss in his 2nd career start.

The New York Mets offense kept going as they put down the Florida Marlins 4 -1, keeping a 1/2 game lead on Philadelphia. Carlos Delgado kept up his HR hitting prowess, smacking another 2 run job in the 8th inning to seal the deal against the Marlins.

The Philadelphia Phillies kept pace with the Mets by beating the Washington Nationals 2 – 1. Brett “Boom…Outta Here” Myers pitched 7 strong innings to help outlast the Nats. The “allegedly” hurt Chase Utley hit a 2 run homer to give Philly all they needed.

Doug Davis pitched 6 2/3 innings of perfect baseball. Brian Giles broke up the perfect game bid with a blazing single in the 7th. Arizona survived a scare in the 8th when the Padres loaded the bases with 2 outs and Jody Gerut blasted a shot to deep centerfield, but rookie cneterfielder Alex Romero made an amazing catch to save the game for Davis. The DBacks won 3 – 0.

Jason Johnson returned to the majors and helped pitch the Los Angeles to a 2 – 0 win over the San Francisco Giants. The LA area had a scare earlier when a 5.3 earthquake rattled Southern California, but the game went on and the Dodgers kept pace with the Arizona DBacks. The Dodgers are 1 game back of Arizona.

NFL

So. Cal’s Sedrick Ellis signed a 5 year $49 Million contract with the New Orleans Saints late Tuesday afternoon. Ellis ends his holdout as $19 million of the contract is guaranteed. Ellis was in camp for the afternoon session

Tried to stay away…Brett Favre signed reinstatement papers and faxed them to the league offices. The Packers try to figure out what comes next.

As previously reported, Terrence Newman is out for 3 to 4 weeks. Goodbye, Newman….

NBA

ESPN’s Marc Stein is reporting that Chicago’s Luol Deng is staying put.

Remember, we will do our best today to keep an eye on any trades in MLB before the deadline, and make sure to join us tonight at 9pm for a live edition of “The Sports Vortex”. If you need to catch up, all Vortex shows are archived on the left hand side, you can listen while you read….

The Angels Put the Bill Stoneman Era Behind Them

Welcome to the top of the heap, Angels fans. Ken Rosenthal is reporting that Mark Teixeira is heading to Orange County for Casey Kotchman and Stephen Marek. This is a great move by the Angels, and I want to thank them for proving me wrong when I said earlier on this very blog that they wouldn’t pull the trigger. In the era of former GM Bill Stoneman, they never traded for anyone. They finally got some lineup protection for Vlad Guerrero, and if they lose Teixeira, oh well, they get two first round picks next year. For the Braves, they get a proven commodity in Kotchman to play first base, something they need, and he will be under their control for 3 years. Beers all around….

Tuesday Morning Quick Hitters

MLB

The California Angels take game 1 of the 3 games series against the Boston Red Sox 7 – 5. Dice K had set down 8 Angels in a row until the wheels came off in the 6th inning. Casey Kotchman and Torii Hunter both homered in the 6th to blow the game open. The Sox attempted a comeback but MLB saves leader Francisco Rodriguez closed it out after allowing a Manny HR. The latest Red Sox Trade Blog is here

Another day, another monster loss by the Atlanta Braves. The St Louis Cardinals gained a game on Milwaukee by beating the Braves 12 – 3. The Braves are taking bids , the leading contender for Mark Teixeira is Arizona.

Speaking of the Brewers, the Brewers lost a hard fought game with NL Central Division Leading Chicago Cubs 6 – 4. CC Sabathia and Ted Lilly both gave up 3 earned runs and didn’t factor in the decision. This game went back and forth until Salomon Torres set the stage for the Cubbies win by walking 2 batters in the 9th. The Brew Crew is now 2 games back of the Cubs.

The NY Yankees train came to a screeching halt again, losing to Orioles Magic crooner Kevin Millar ( 3 – 5, 3 RBIs) 13 – 4. Mike Mussina lasted just 5 innings giving up 6 earned runs as the Orioles rolled.

The AL Central showdown Part 1 was won by the Minnesota Twins. Kevin Slowey pitched a complete game 6 hitter, shutting out the White Sox 7 – 0. Justin Morneau and Denard Span both hit 2 run HRs in the 3rd inning. Span’s HR was his 1st career HR. Minnesota is now 1 1/2 games back of the Pale Hose. Late news that the Twins might still be in hot pursuit to bring back LaTroy Hawkins.

The Florida Marlins continued their trek to 1st place in the NL East, and beat the Mets 7 – 3. The Marlins got good news off the field as well, as former Red Sox farmhand Anibal Sanchez will start on Thursday

The Philadelphia Phillies had the night off, but Pat Gillick reveals Chase Utley injury, which Utley denies. If he played for the Patriots, they would list him as questionable, then just start him every game.

The NL West keeps the status quo, Arizona over the Dodgers by 1 game, as the Giants beat the Dodgers 7-6 and the DBacks lose to the Padres 8 – 5.

The Toronto Blue Jays kept the Tampa Bay Rays at bay for the Red Sox another night. Former Portland Sea Dog pitcher, AJ Burnett, matched his career high in wins with 12, beating Tampa 3 -1. Former Red Sox player and Bangor, Maine hockey coach Matt Stairs hit a 2 run HR in the 6th inning to put Toronto up for good. JP Ricciardi addressed rumors that AJ might be moved at the trade deadline. Tampa designates Gary Glover for assignment. His brother Danny had no comment.

Ken Rosenthal’s early morning wrap-ups including Miguel Tejada is off the table. Apparently the Red Sox had interest.

NBA

Former UConn standout Emeka Okafor reached agreement on a 6 year deal.

Another UConn star, Ben Gordon, and the Bulls are getting nowhere fast.

Delonte West’s agent doesn’t like how the Cavs are negotiating. There is word within that article that both Miami and Boston approached Cleveland about a sign and trade but were rebuffed.

Toronto Raptors add another guard to the mix.

Sasha Vujacic, I have a name for him that I won’t use here…just go download any old Sports Vortex from the NBA Finals and you will hear it over and over and over again (it rhymes with Moo-Ya-Witch), signed his deal with the Lakers.

Kwame Brown has a new home, I assume it’s nowhere near 8 Mile or Rick Mahorn.

The Pistons feel that the asking price for Josh Smith is too steep.

The Tim Donaghy Saga should come to some kind of an end today as he is sentenced for his crimes.

Ricky Davis goes to yet another team, signing with the LA Clippers.

The NY Knicks traded away one fan favorite Renaldo Balkman to the Denver Nuggets basically for draft picks and cap space.

NFL

Mike Reiss has observations from Patriots Camp .

Ryan Grant is not pleased with the Packers latest offer.

NY Daily News hypothesizes that Eric Mangini gave the NYJ the day off from camp yesterday to secretly talk to Brett Favre. The Jets deny that statement, saying they needed a break after 5 days. In related news, Patriots Fans laugh their asses off.

Joe Horn still wants out of Atlanta. The Falcons have yet to comply.

Terence Newman is injured in The Cowboys AM session yesterday. The Cowboys are taking cues from the New England Patriots and not saying a freaking thing.

Steven Jackson still holding out of Rams camp.

Shawn Andrews is still MIA for the Eagles, and DeSean Jackson and Asante Samuel have something in common.

The Titans are trying to figure out who their returner is going to be.

Monday Morning Quick Hitters

Vlad Guerrero, who by the way is the best bad-ball hitter ever, and Casey Kotchman helped the California Angels…sorry…just how I roll…sweep the Red Sox out of town. Sox got great pitching from Tim Wakefield again, but as usual, the bullpen gave the game away.

The Yanks continue their resurgence, beating Oakland 2 – 1 in the Bronx yesterday. Andy Pettitte pitched 8 strong innings, out-dueling Justin Duchscherer, to shut down the A’s. A sac fly by A-Rod and a HR by The Stache…aka Jason Giambi scored all the runs the Yankees needed.

The Toronto Blue Jays avoided a sweep at the hands of the Tampa Rays yesterday 9-4. Marco Scutaro and Alex Rios drove the offense as 7 Blue Jays pitchers shut down the Rays. The Rays are still 1 1/2 games up on the Red Sox in the AL East.

The Brewers continued their surge back to contention in the NL Central race, beating the Giants 7 – 4. Ryan Braun’s 5 RBIs (a 2 run double and a 3 run HR) allowed the Brewers to bury the Giants. Right after the game, the Brewers bolstered their league worst batting average for 2nd Baseman (.222) by acquiring Ray Durham from the other locker room.

Oh those former Red Sox untouchables. Brandon Lyon blew a save for the ages, allowing the Los Angeles Dodgers to score 5 runs in the top of the 9th to come all the way back and steal a win in Arizona, 6 -5. Matt Kemp doubled home the tying run and Andre Ethier tripled home the go ahead run. The win ties the Dodgers with the DBacks for the NL West lead. I’ll keep reminding people, the Dpdgers were my sleeper pick for the World Series.

Cleveland knocked off the hapless Mariners 6-2.
Florida beat Philly in 11, 3 – 2.
The Mets beat Cincy 7 – 5 in 10. and The Nationals finish off a sweep of the Braves 15 – 6.

Other News

Greg Norman chokes again allowing Padraig Harrington to defend his Open title and win the 137th British Open.

Jason Taylor finally gets a new home. With Washington Redskin DE Phillip Daniels going down to season ending knee surgery, the Dolphins had what another team needed, a monster at DE. Washington traded a 2nd round draft pick in 2009 and a 6th round pick in 2010 for the perennial All-Pro end. This should end the biggest issue hanging over the Dolphins heads prior to the opening of training camp.

According to Marc Spears, the Celtics have reached agreement with Eddie House and Tony Allen to return to the world champs. Interesting tidbits here are that the Celtics did not have to use any of their mid-level exception to re-sign Tony Allen, and managed to snag Eddie House for a little over 2 mill, leaving about 3.5 million left over for the MLE in case someone else decides to hop on boar for another ring.

Finally…..

The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the FCC “acted arbitrarily and capriciously” in fining CBS for the “Incident” during the Super Bowl 38 (Won by the Patriots, by the way) Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction incident. The court ruled that the FCC wavered from previous application of standards by not holding the incident up to “pervasive as to amount to ‘shock treatment’ for the audience” levels. The court overturned the half million dollar fine levied against CBS and its affiliates. Peter Griffin had this to say when reached for comment.