Matt Cassel Going to Kansas City

Well the quarterback woes are over in Kansas City, or so we think.

In another blockbuster move, the Patriots unload their "season saviour" of last year and ship Matt Cassel to the Chiefs in exchange for their 2nd round draft pick this year.

They already sent Mike Vrabel to Kansas City yesterday and now give them a quarterback because they assume Tom Brady will be 100% at the start of the season.

All Kansas City needs to do is give Cassel some more offensive weapons and have Larry Johnson and Tony Gonzalez want to play and this team could do some damage.

NFL Signings and Trades

Well NFL is back and the free agents are finding new teams quickly.

- Albert Hayensworth was signed by the Washington Redskins, 7 years 100 M.

- Deangelo Hall was also signed with the Redskins 5 years 54 M.

- Kellen Winslow was traded from the Browns to the Bucs for draft picks

- Lito Sheppard was traded to the New York Jets from the Eagles.

- Bart Scott was signed by the New York Jets 6 years 48 M.

- Kerry Collins re-signed with the Titans 2 years 15 M.

- There is a rumor that Brian Dawkins is going to the Broncos for a 2 year deal.

- Fred Taylor signed with the Patriots 2 years 5 M.

- Patriots trade Mike Vrabel for an undiscoled draft pick.

- Jason Brown goes to the Rams

Recent Baseball Signings

- Tom Glavine signed a one year $1 million deal with the Atlanta Braves

- Garrett Anderson signed a one year $2 million deal with the Atlanta Braves

- Ken Griffey Jr. returns to Seattle, signing a one year $2.5 million deal

- Orlando Hudson signed a one year $3.5 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers

MLB - Money, Money, and More Money

On this date 46 years ago, Willie Mays signed a new contract for $100,000, becoming the highest paid player in baseball.

In the day and age that we live in today, with baseball salaries being through the roof, we have to reflect on where we have come from. In 1963 when Mays received that contract from the San Francisco Giants, $100,000 was like $1,000,000 today.

Have the salaries gotten too high? Are these players over paid?
Major League Baseball has seen salaries rise astronomically since the mid 90’s. Kevin Brown signed the biggest contract in MLB history in 1998, when the Los Angeles Dodgers gave him a modest seven year deal worth $105 million. Since then $100+ million contracts have been quite common.

Most notably Alex Rodriguez received a $252 million deal from the Texas Rangers in 2001, he then received a new deal with the New York Yankees in 2008 where he was awarded a 10 year $275 million contract which with incentives could go up to $305 million.

New York Yankees short stop, Derek Jeter was given a 10 year $189 million contract in 2001. In 2006 Barry Zito was given the largest contract for a pitcher by the San Francisco Giants. A whopping seven year $126 million deal, which thus far has been the largest over-payment for a player since the Dodgers gave relief pitcher Darren Dreifort a five year $55 million contract in 2001. In the same year the Colorado Rockies gave Mike Hampton a stellar eight year $121 million contract, which the Rockies paid the Braves to take him off their hands after just two years.

2007-2008 winter meetings brought the next enormous deal for a pitcher in baseball, when the New York Mets inked up a $137.5 million contract for six years.

Then in the 2008-2009 offseason the New York Yankees struck it rich when they gave C.C Sabathia the newest largest contract for a pitcher in baseball history. $161 million deal over seven years, and then proceeded to give first baseman Mark Teixeira a hefty eight year $180 million contract.

But now comes the economic stand point from the whole situation and big question is thrown out there, are these players over paid. Well it all depends on what that player will end up making for the team he plays for. If Alex Rodriguez makes the Yankees $30 million in a season, he technically is under paid because he makes $28 million a season. That is how baseball contracts are measured, merchandise sales, luxury box and season ticket sales and other endorsements all play into the idea of the cost for a player. As long as you see thousands of number 13 jerseys at Yankee Stadium and all across the world at a cool $154.99 a piece, the Yankees and other teams with their player contracts will be doing just fine.

It just goes to show you where these contracts have gone. Just think, four decades ago a games pay for Alex Rodriguez was the largest contract in the game, now there are players in baseball making more money then some countries.

Manny = Kobe

Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp did a bit of campaigning today for Manny:

"I compare him to Kobe Bryant," said Kemp. "He makes everybody around him better. Manny's the Kobe Bryant of baseball. Of course we want him back and of course we need him. He's a freak."

A Legacy Forever Ruined

Cheater, steroid user, fake, no respect, LIAR.

These words will forever be linked to the name Alex Rodriguez, from February 7th 2009 till infinity.

Once praised as the air apparent to be the greatest of all time, is now a mere asterisk in the minds of millions of baseball fans. When Selena Roberts out-ed the 12 time all-star and three time most valuable player, the name Alex Rodriguez would never be the same again.

In America there are certain things that tick people off, rapist, murderer, and it seems like cheater is in the same category. Not to put Alex Rodriguez in the same vein as a murderer but in the minds of baseball purists that is just where his name falls. He no longer will be looked at as the clean player to finally absolve baseball of the steroid era, nor would he now be the “REAL” homerun king. Instead Barry Bonds is still sullied and Hank Aaron still holds the long ball crown, and if A-ROD gets there which barring injury he more than likely will, the number will mean nothing in the eyes of the fans.

In my previous article I mentioned what players said and how I believe that there must have been an agenda behind just Rodriguez’s name being leaked, and there was, Roberts is releasing a book chronicling A-ROD’s celebrity status and his downfall. Now it seems like this list will not be released and Rodriguez will be the only man named off this infamous list. He is the only one scorn by the wrath of four sources that breached the trust and faith of every single player in Major League baseball today.

Let’s look at the situation this way. The four sources that leaked the information to Roberts knowingly broke the law. They threw away the notion of confidentiality, which in the case of these tests and what the players were being tested for would have never complied with should they have known that one day names would be mentioned and careers would be tarnished. And that is exactly what happened here. Rodriguez’s career has been tarnished like a metal bike left out in a monsoon.

On Tuesday February 17th 2009, Alex Rodriguez is scheduled to appear in Tampa for Yankees spring training where he will face the media publicly for the first time since his interview with ESPN’s Peter Gammons on the 9th of February. He, just like Andy Pettitte last year and Jason Giambi the year prior to Pettitte will face the media and try to answer the steroid filled questions thrown at him and try to clear the air. The press conference is another step in Alex Rodriguez’s road to recovery, much like a person in AA sessions, this is just another step.

It is here where the world expects Rodriguez to be truthful once again and try to put back together the reputation and legacy that right now is in shambles like a disco ball that fell to the dance floor. With him will be sitting Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte, Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada according to Yankee sources who have said they want to be there to support their team mate, just like they did for Andy Pettitte last spring training.

Veteran Yankees closer Mariano Rivera has come out and said “To me, he doesn’t have to say anything, he has my support regardless.”

Longtime catcher Jorge Posada made his feelings known to the media as well, “Alex is my teammate and Alex is going to be my friend forever. I’m going to support him any way I can.”

Familiar with the situation surrounding Rodriguez, Pettitte has supported his fellow colleague. “Alex is my teammate; he’s like family to me,” Pettitte said. “I’m going to try to help him and pull for him in any way possible. Anything negative toward him isn’t going to come from me. I want to try to encourage him and pick him up at this time, not kick him down.”

On the bright side for A-ROD this is a good thing, seeing the marquee names supporting him like this, yet there is one name that hasn’t come out and said something to help matters, the one that matters most in New York, number two, Derek Jeter. Jeter publicly said he would not speak on the matter until spring training, so tomorrow everyone is expecting the captain to speak, and for Alex’s sake, he better support him 100 percent.

But I must go back to the issue at hand and that is the name, Alex Rodriguez. There will be no excuses from fans and A-ROD alike; he has admitted to doing the steroids to live up to his hefty contract given to him by the Texas Rangers, but what he did was wrong. Fans will boo him unmercifully at home and especially on the road. Signs on asterisks and needles and catch phrases with “A-ROID” will be staples in every game Rodriguez plays in. And there is nothing he can do about it. He brought this upon himself and he will have to live with the fact that his legacy, reputation and name will forever be etched into the minds of fans as a cheater.

A-ROD GATE

Like Richard Nixon in the early 70’s, Alex Rodriguez has orchestrated a scandal to rock the very core of the baseball world.

On February 7th 2009 Sports Illustrated reported that Alex Rodriguez tested positive for 2 types of steroids in 2003, Testosterone and Primobolin. The story was broken by Selena Roberts who confirmed the positive tests through four sources.
Now here is where the controversy starts to bubble.

Roberts has been doing the media circuit and has publicly stated that she knows the person who leaked this information is committing a crime. This source had access to PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL information that must have had ulterior motives to release these names. Out of the total 104 names on this “tested positive for steroids list” only Alex Rodriguez was out-ed.

Rodriguez sat down with Peter Gammons of ESPN on February 9th 2009 where he admitted to using banned substances in an interview that lasted over 30 minutes. A-ROD clearly emotional and distraught through out the interview did answer all the questions and in my opinion took the proper first step to diffuse this C-4 type of situation.
Much like Nixon and his “Dirty Tricks” A-ROD apparently was using his own “magic” from 2001 to 2003 as he told Gammons in the sit down. Feeling the need to live up to his massive 10 year – 252 million dollar contract, with exorbitant amount of pressure building upon his shoulders, Rodriguez decided to take steroids.

Much like the Watergate scandal there was a leak of information, which too was classified. But I once again bring up the fact that the agenda this source had when only releasing Rodriguez’s name, is absolutely preposterous. Either leak each and every of the 104 names or none at all. How could anyone be content with just one name, however much weight that name holds. Equality and fairness, this era no doubt will be labeled the “steroid era” and a tainted period in baseball, but withholding names and putting a blanket over the entire league as potential users will be a crime in and of itself.

Now retired Sean Casey has come out and said he felt betrayed by the Players Association for the leakage of Alex Rodriguez’s name from “the list.” Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling has come out and said in his blog that he wanted every name out there if A-ROD’s name was to be released. And Houston Astros first baseman Lance Berkman has said that he wants the names of everyone on “the list” exposed because those who have never touched any type of human growth hormone or steroid would like to clear their name.

Everyone wanted Alex Rodriguez to just come out and admit what he did and dish out all the “good stuff.” He went further than the actual Sports Illustrated report by admitting to doing the roids for not just one year, but three. He gave us the why, the where, the how, the when just not the who. You must give him credit for taking the whole steroid fiasco further than anyone else who was put in his situation.

Barry Bonds has denied his steroid use all though there are positive tests, lied to a grand jury and is now fighting for his freedom in a court room.

Roger Clemens has taken the “deny till I die” policy and is tossing and turning at night wondering if the three needles Brian McNamee had stuffed in his basement in a old Coke can will be tossed as evidence. He too is facing jail time for his steroid use.

Rafael Palmero wagged his finger then three days later was tested positive for steroids. Mark McGwire showed the world his Androstendione in his locker, a steroid precursor, as well as Jose Canseco coming out and saying he personally injected Big Mac with roids.

The other 103 names on “the scarlet letter forever on your forehead” list for now should consider themselves lucky. I’m sure there are big names on that list, maybe not as big of fish like A-ROD but I’m positive a shocking name or two will be on there.

This dark cloud in baseball history that is upon us will forever stain the culture of the sport, and encyclopedias will chronicle this cycle of madness forever. Alex Rodriguez will have to do a lot to get back in good graces with the fans of baseball, but it all starts now.

Unlike President Nixon, A-ROD will not pick up and leave office, he will continue to be the greatest baseball player in the game today, and prolong his journey to becoming legendary.

Bears Looking at Matt Casell?

A lot of people believe that the Patriots will trade Matt Cassel, and the Bears have admitted that solving their quarterback situation is tops on their offseason list.

"At some point, the Bears will have to address their quarterback situation. There were times last season when Kyle Orton appeared to have a good handle on things, but after sustaining an ankle injury, he was not the same productive player," Mike Lombardi of the National Football Post wrote.

"The Bears need a marquee player on offense, someone they can build around and make all the other pieces fit. They need someone they do not have to manage but who can run a complete offense. The need is there, but I doubt the Bears will be serious players. They have the 18th pick in the first round, but they hate to part with picks.

Giants Preparing 3 Year Offer for Manny

According to Peter Gammons, the San Francisco Giants are putting together a massive 3-Year deal for Manny Ramirez.

This coming after Ramirez agent Scott Boras has told the LA Dodgers to hurry up with an offer.

Ramirez recently spoke with Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times, and the slugger described his situation this way:

"We're in the seventh inning and I'm waiting for my pitch."

Curt Schilling and Derek Jeter Respond To A-ROD Situation

For the first time ever, I can actually say I agree with Curt Schilling.

Schilling has come out and said that all the names, not just Alex Rodriguez should be released off the 104 name list of steroid users.

"I'd be all for the 104 positives being named, and the game moving on if that is at all possible," former Boston ace Curt Schilling wrote on his blog Sunday, referring to the number of players who were tested but assured confidentiality.
"In my opinion, if you don't do that, then the other 600-700 players are going to be guilty by association, forever," he wrote. "It appears that not only was it 104, but three of the greatest of our, or any, generation appear to be on top of this list."
Mike & Mike in the Morning

Yankees teammate Derek Jeter, speaking from the club's spring training site in Tampa, Fla., on Monday, said Rodriguez should be given "the benefit of the doubt."
"My intitial reaction is let him respond" to the report, Jeter said, according to Newsday. "Give him the respect to respond to it before you pass judgment."

Sean Casey Violated By A-ROD Report

Sean Casey, who spent last season with the Red Sox before opting to retire this offseason, has admitted that he feels violated by the recent leak of drug test results.

"A little bit, because it was supposed to be a survey test and those results were supposed to be confidential," Casey said. "The only reason we opened up the collective bargaining agreement was on those terms."

Casey expects more names to be released, "especially because of the witch hunt with Bonds and Clemens."

Amare Says He Would Say Yes To Detroit

Amar'e Stoudemire told Don Shane of WXYZ that being traded to Detroit is something he would welcome and that Phoenix's interest in trading him has to do with financial issues.

"It would be phenomenal," said Stoudemire about joining the Pistons. "I think the fans here have been probably the top fans in the world since I’ve been in the NBA. They’re always cheering their team on and every time we come here, their always loud and rowdy, so it would be fun to play here."

Warriors Pursuing Amare

The Warriors are intent on pursuing Suns forward Amare Stoudemire, who appears likely to change addresses before the Feb. 19 trade deadline passes.

"They've gotten very active with the Stoudemire stuff," said one NBA source of Golden State.

If the Warriors aren't able to land Stoudemire, sources also claim that they'll try to get involved with another young big man.

Ray Lewis Thinking Jets?

Ray Lewis talked with the NFL Network while in Hawaii for the Pro Bowl, and said the Jets are an "attractive" option with Rex Ryan, his defensive coordinator in Baltimore, now Jets head coach.

"That's a great opportunity, reason being we've been together for years," Lewis said. "We won a Super Bowl together and the mentality that we both need to sit down and understand each other and understand what's best for our defense and what's best for our team.

"That relationship by itself is a match, because of the relationship me and Rex have always had. That opportunity by itself looks attractive, seems attractive."

Houshmandzadeh Wants to be an Eagle

During an interview with Mike Missanelli on ESPN 950 in Philadelphia, T.J. Houshmandzadeh said he could potentially be interested in playing in Philadelphia.

"If the Eagles are interested in me, let's put it like this. If they'll be interested in me, I'll be interested in them," he said when asked if the Eagles would be his top choice.

"I think McNabb is a fine quarterback," he said. "He's one of the best quarterbacks in the league, probably, I can't even think of another quarterback that has performed throughout his career the way he has and would be put in a situation like he was put in in Baltimore, but he bounced back very well."

Jeter to Play Against His Own Team

Derek Jeter will play for the United States against his Yankees in a warmup for the World Baseball Classic.

"Hopefully, I won't see any pitches inside," Jeter joked Thursday. "It will be funny. It will be fun."

Jeter played for the U.S. team in the initial WBC three years ago.

"I had a good time," Jeter said. "I enjoyed myself. I think the first time around we really didn't know what to expect. Once you got there and you started to play, you realized how special it was."

3-Point Shootout Contestants Revealed

The Toronto Raptors' Jason Kapono will seek to become the third player to capture three consecutive titles in this year's Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout, which will be held on Saturday, Feb. 14, at US Airways Center, as part of NBA All-Star Saturday Night.

Kapono will be joined by Eastern Conference All-Star reserves Danny Granger of the Indiana Pacers and Rashard Lewis of the Orlando Magic, Mike Bibby of the Atlanta Hawks, Roger Mason of the San Antonio Spurs and Daequan Cook of the Miami Heat.

My money is on Kapono to repeat with Roger Mason as a sleeper and Danny Granger being a big big sleeper.

Today's Baseball News

- Manny Ramirez has declined the Los Angeles Dodgers 1 Year - 25 Million Dollar offer. There are talks that the Giants are now the favorite.

- The Dodgers missing out on Manny, will now focus their sights on Adam Dunn, Randy Wolf and Orlando Hudson.

- The Chicago White Sox have made a 1 year - 8 Million Dollar offer to Bobby Abreu.

- There are still no offers for pitcher Ben Sheets.

- Reports from the Wall Street Journal are saying that Citigroup might be pulling their name from the New York Mets new stadium. Citi Field might become blank Field for opening day. If Citigroup pulls out the Mets are losing out on 400 Million Dollars.

- The Baltimore Orioles have signed Ty Wiggington

- The Nationals have offered Adam Dunn a contract

Dodger Offer Manny 1 Year Deal

A two-year, $45 million offer three months ago didn't get it done. So on Monday, the Los Angeles Dodgers made a new offer to Manny Ramirez -- for one year and $25 million, according to a major league source.

Dodgers GM Ned Colletti confirmed to ESPN.com that he met with Ramirez's agent, Scott Boras, on Monday and presented the new offer in person.

Colletti declined to confirm any details of the offer. But the offer was confirmed by another source with knowledge of the discussions. It's believed that Ramirez and Boras were given a 48-hour deadline to accept the offer.

Boras and the Dodgers have haggled since November over Ramirez's worth, but they have been hung up mostly by the four to six years Boras has been looking for. So clearly, the Dodgers decided it was time to change tactics.

By offering Ramirez $25 million, they apparently believe they're sending a clear message that they want him back -- since that would make him the second-highest paid player in baseball this year, behind only Alex Rodriguez. It would also give Ramirez a chance to go back into the free-agent market next winter, when, presumably, the economy will have improved.

Matt Cassel Peed On

New England quarterback Matt Cassel was in line for the bathroom at ESPN's Super Bowl party on Friday night and reportedly got peed on.

A drunken man tried to cut Cassel in line, but he wasn't ready to concede his spot. "Matt told him to wait his turn and headed into the urinals," a source told the New York Daily News.

Soon after, the man barged in and peed directly on Cassel's leg.

After security tossed out the man, Cassel headed back out into the crowd.

Matt Cassel Drawing Strong Interest

Rising star Matt Cassel has been the hot topic ever since Tom Brady went down after week 1.

Cassel lead the New England Patriots to a winning record but falling just short of the playoffs due to tie breakers. He now will most likely need to find a new home, because Tom Brady is scheduled to make a full recovery and be ready for the start of next season.

Scott Pioli new general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs, who was with the Patriots last season, seems that Cassel can fill the QB void that has plagued the Chiefs for decades.

Tyler Thigpen and Quinn Gray are just not cutting it for me.

Other teams looking to maybe lure Cassel include the Jets, Lions, Vikings, 49ers, Panthers, Buccaneers and Bears.