Today we start off with baseball and a true blockbuster trade, which could have far-reaching implications. I LOVE THE HOT STOVE!!
The Detroit Tigers traded first baseman Prince Fielder to the Texas Rangers for second baseman Ian Kinsler. The Tigers also sent $30 million to the Rangers to cover the long term obligation with Fielder, 7 years and $168 million. The Tigers save $72 million overall by making this deal and there are long-term implications for both teams:
Detroit can take the savings and use the money to keep Cy Young winner Max Scherzer. Getting rid of Fielder could possibly impact Miguel Cabrera, who could move back to first base to keep him healthier and open up a slot for Tigers minor league prospect Nick Castellanos at third base.
The ramifications for the Rangers are also interesting. They immediately add power in the middle of the lineup, and open up a spot for their hotshot prospect Jurickson Profar at second base. Here’s another interesting possibility: Texas could move Profar, a natural shortstop, or Elvis Andrus to a team desperate for a SS, such as the Cardinals, for outfield prospect Oscar Taveras or quality pitching, or work out a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays for former Cy Young winner David Price. It then gets better for Texas: The Rangers would possibly then be in a position to pursue free agent 2B Robinson Cano. Keep your eyes on this developing situation.
In something I definitely hate to cover, the MLB vs A-Roid circus is stranger by the minute. Yesterday, A-Roid stormed out of the hearing because the impartial arbitrator refused to compel MLB commissioner Bud Selig to testify. Here’s more from the New York Post
MY TAKE: Like I said in this blog the other day, A-Roid is trying not to have to lie again under oath and possibly face additional consequences. A-Roid showed up on New York talk radio after he stormed out of yesterday’s hearing, specifically the Mike Francesa program on WFAN. and denied that he used PED’s. Let us not forget that we’ve seen this A-Roid performance before. Remember that A-Roid denied using PED’s before he later admitted using them in 2009. His continued denials are telling everyone that he lied before, but he is telling the truth now. PLEASE! This is nothing more than a smokescreen for A-Roid to abandon the sinking ship that his attorneys and advisors are piloting.
If MLB used “shady methods” to obtain documents that prove that A-Roid and other players were guilty, so be it. That does not change the fact that these players are guilty. These documents and other allegations also may show that A-Roid leaked information incriminating other players. How do you think that is going to look for a cheater turning snitch?
The American public is quick to forgive and forget when athletes admit their wrongdoings and accept responsibility for their actions, and apologize, whether sincere or not. Lance Armstrong denied, denied, and denied some more before finally having to disappear from public view. Where is Rafael Palmeiro after pointing his finger at a congressional panel denying he ever used steroids, only to be busted by a drug test later?
Alex Rodriguez is a good guy, and is one of the best baseball players ever to grace the diamond. A-Roid, however, is just another loser, full of himself and another example of a professional athlete who forgot where he came from and who he was after surrounding themselves with the never-ending collection of leaches and parasites that want to live off the successful athletes by humoring their behavior and always telling them just what they want to hear, not what they need to be told.
More rumors:
The Dolphins are back to work this week as they prepare to take on the Carolina Panthers at the Seven Names Stadium on Sunday. Game time is 1:00 pm, and it will be televised by CBS, Channel 4 in South Florida.
Here’s more on the Dolphins:
Pouncey watched last week’s game at home with an interesting friend:
More on the Dolphins from Armando Salguero:
Here are this week’s NFL game, along with the early lines, that continue to move around. I finished 4-3 last week, and still under the .500 mark. I’ll try and take care of that this coming week. Record this season on my picks is 36-37-4 against the spread, and 44-33 straight up.
Tonight, we have the New Orleans Saints taking on the Falcons in Atlanta. You can watch it on the NFL Network, and kickoff is at 8:25 pm.
THURSDAY
New Orleans @ Atlanta +9 8:25 pm NFL NETWORK
This has been a great turnaround for the Saints so far this season, while the Falcons have been a huge disappointment in 2013. Atlanta has gone from a conference-best 13-3 record last year, to being tied for the worst record in the NFC this season at 2-8. I look for the Falcons to break out of their season-long slump with at least a couple of good performances, however, I don’t see that happening this week. Giving nine points on the road is never easy, especially in this divisional battle. I gotta go with the Saints to win the game but will not cover the nine points.
I’ll have the rest of my picks in tomorrow’s edition of the blog.
SUNDAY
Carolina @ Miami +5 1:00 pm CBS
Pittsburgh @ Cleveland -1 1:00 pm CBS
San Diego @ Kansas City -4 1:00 pm CBS
NY Jets @ Baltimore -3 1:00 pm CBS
Jacksonville @ Houston -8 1:00 pm CBS
Tampa @ Detroit -10 1:00 pm FOX
Minnesota @ Green Bay -4 1:00 pm FOX
Chicago @ St. Louis -1 1:00 pm FOX
Tennessee @ Oakland -1 4:05 pm CBS
Indianapolis @ Arizona -1 4:05 pm CBS
Dallas @ NY Giants -3 4:25 pm FOX
Denver @ New England +3 8:30 pm NBC
MONDAY NIGHT
San Francisco @ Washington +5 8:30 pm ESPN
Here’s ESPN’s NFL Nation Blog, with more news from all around the league:
Of course, we can all continue to sleep at night, knowing full well that Aaron Hernandez remains in jail, where he belongs.
TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION: We’ll stay in the NFL today. The top three RB’s in NFL history in yards gained are Emmitt Smith (18,355), Walter Payton (16,726), and Barry Sanders (15,269). Who are the next three ACTIVE RB’s in career yardage? The answer comes later, alligator.
In college football, the University of Miami Hurricanes take on Virginia this Saturday, at 12 noon, at the Seven Names Stadium. Virginia is 2-8 this season, and 0-6 in the ACC. The Cavaliers could be exactly what the doctor ordered for the Canes, or could be the nail in the coffin for this season. Virginia is 109th in the country in points scored this season. You can watch the game on ESPN-U. The Canes have lost three in a row, and in those three losses, their non-existent defense has given up 1,609 yards and 131 points.
The Canes will close out their season on Friday, November 29th, in Pittsburgh, against the Pitt Panthers.
Manny Navarro and Susan Miller Degnan have more from Coral Gables:
The FIU Panthers are now 1-9 this season, and will take on the Thundering Herd of Marshall at FIU Stadium this Saturday, at 6:00 pm. No TV or radio.
The Panthers mercifully close out their season in Boca Raton on Friday, the 29th, in their annual crosstown battle against Florida Atlantic. That game will be televised on Fox Sports 1 on your cable or satellite system.
Here’s all the latest from FIU, courtesy of David J. Neal:
Here’s the latest from Tallahassee and #2-ranked FSU:
From Gainesville and the University of Florida:
Here are the NCAA Football rankings for this week:
Here is the complete schedule in College Football for week 12, including TV listings:
Moving to the hardwood,
The Heat defeated the Orlando Magic last night, 120-92. LeBron James led the way with 21 points, James Jones scored 17. Jones started for Dwyane Wade, who sat out again due to knee pain and discomfort. The Heat and Magic will square off again Saturday night, at 7:30 pm at the AAA. You can watch the game on Sun Sports on your cable or satellite system.
More Heat coverage:
Here is the Heat’s complete regular season schedule:
On the NHL ice, George Richards has all the latest on the Panthers, as they continue on the road to take on the Edmonton Oilers tonight, and the Calgary Flames on Friday night. The team returns home to take on the Philadelphia Flyers next Monday.
Here is Santos Perez’ weekly boxing spotlight column from the Miami Herald:
PERSONAL QUESTION: Can someone please explain to me why the Miami Herald Sports Department has a “PRO WRESTLING EDITOR” (Jim Varsallone)? Hasn’t the Herald figured out that Pro Wrestling is only entertainment, and not a real competition sport? Do they also have “SANTA CLAUS, EASTER BUNNY, AND TOOTH FAIRY EDITORS?
I enjoy watching professional wrestling, and I agree that wrestlers are tremendous athletes, but the fights are staged and the results are preplanned. The Herald needs to step it up when it comes to their boxing coverage. They’re boxing coverage is pathetic, and they are totally underutilizing one of the most talented boxing writers in the industry in Santos Perez. C’mon, Herald! Get with the program!
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I’m selling three lots totaling a little over five acres in the beautiful North Carolina mountains, overlooking the New River, a quick 35-minute drive from Boone and Blowing Rock. Click here to see some photos and feel free to contact me if you have any questions:
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THE ANSWER TO TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION: We’ll stay in the NFL today. The top three RB’s in NFL history in yards gained are Emmitt Smith (18,355), Walter Payton (16,726), and Barry Sanders (15,269). Who are the next three ACTIVE RB’s in career yardage?
Steven Jackson (10,237) is 25th on the all-time list and the only active running back with more than 10,000 yards. Next among the active RB’s are Adrian Peterson (30th with 9,700), Frank Gore (31st with 9,587), and Maurice Jones-Drew (48th all-time with 7,723 yards).
Behave yourselves, and always remember that tomorrow will bring us a brand new day.
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