My Sportsman of the Year

What do you consider to be an athlete? A guy that can hit a ball far? Throw a ball hard or far? The ability to kick a ball? Have the ability to showcase his athleticism? Or do they just have to be showcased on ESPN?

What about sitting?

Wait, what was that? Sitting?

Yes, as in sitting in a car and driving a car in an oval.

Could the “athlete” of the year be the reigning five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series winner, Jimmy Johnson?

Now maybe you don’t consider driver’s athletes, or NASCAR even a sport (personally I go back and forth myself on whether it’s a sport). That is fine if you believe that. Shoot even I had a hard time believing who I was picking.

I had full intentions of picking a player like New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees after he led the Saints to their first ever Super Bowl Championship. Maybe the Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant after his second straight title and fifth overall. There was the possibility of Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto, New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano or the St. Louis Cardinals 1B Albert Pujols in baseball.

And don’t forget the ladies. I considered Seattle Storm forward Lauren Jackson, Phoenix Mercury Diana Taurasi, University of Connecticut Maya Moore, fellow driver Danica Patrick and many more other female athletes.

No matter what I did, I just kept coming back to Jimmy Johnson.

The NASCAR season is by far the longest season in any sport, it is grueling and it is dangerous. Johnson continues to prove that he is the best, year in, year out.

If you want to call it a career award, I disagree.

Yes Johnson has won five in a row, but this one might be considered the best. The four other Johnson had the title wrapped up long before the last race. This year, Johnson went into the last race of the year, 14 points out of first. Shoot, Johnson’s pit crew chief, Chad Knaus, decided to switch pit crews with Jeff Gordon’s “team” with two races to go.

You had the feeling he would pull through, but with racing there are so many factors that you can’t completely rely on anything.

He came back and won. He accomplished the feat with a newborn baby. Parents only know how this can affect you.

I am not going to say I am a NASCAR fan, because I'm not. Or that I even know a lot about the sport, because I definitely don’t. But the guy is a machine. All he does is win. He

I would have been more comfortable talking about a guy that could zip a pass into a small window for a receiver; or a guy that could crush a ball out of the bark; even someone with the great athletic abilities of a basketball player. The typical sports are the easiest to talk about and most notable.

But this isn’t about what I am comfortable with. This is about who was the best in the sports world. Now if you can’t bring yourself to say a guy that came from behind to win it all again isn’t the best in sports, that’s up to you. But it sure is hard to argue that Jimmy Johnson doesn’t at least belong in the conversation.

The U after ESPN commentator?

After producing a record of only 7–5 in 2010, Miami(Fl.) fired head coach Randy Shannon after four years at the helm.

Only a couple of years ago, the recruiting classes that Shannon had brought to the program were being hailed as one of the best in the nation. They were expected to be in the national championship hunt this year.

Expectations were even higher after the team went 9–3 last year. They were even ranked as high as No. 10 in the nation at the beginning of this season. Then it all fell apart.

The first two loses were deemed okay due to them being against Ohio State and Florida State; both were ranked high and are considered to be two of the best in the nation.

Even the next two loses could be considered okay. Their lose to Virginia was devastating, but their starting QB was injured and were forced to play a true freshman in his place. Their fourth lose was to the extremely hot Virginia Tech Hokies, who eventually won the conference title.

What finally took the cake was the season finale lose on senior day to South Florida. This wasn’t the USF of the past few years who has been ranked as high as No. 2 in the nation. This was the USF who no longer had Jim Leavitt as their head coach and no longer had his talented recruits. USF even has a walk on freshman starting at QB.

This was the final straw. Shannon had to be fired.

Immediately.

On Sunday, Shannon was told that he was let go.

Hurricanes fans rejoice.

Shannon was a decent recruiter but he just didn’t seem to be the typical “Canes” coach. He wasn’t fiery and at times seemed like a fish out of water on the sideline.

So what is next for the Hurricanes?

Miami has said they want a coach that “we will focus on bringing in an individual who will lead us back to national relevance.” The tradition of the ‘Canes as a national powerhouse also makes the statement obvious, “Simply stated: winning is important at the University of Miami. Always has been, always will be.”

This means that Miami wants a high profile coach that can bring them back to national prominence. The supposed top five options are very interesting.

There are rumors of possibly stealing Miami alum Mark Richt from the University of Georgia. He denies the rumors, but we have seen people back out of the denial and jump on the opportunity. It might even be a smart move with talk of the Bulldogs moronically firing Richt.

There is also some speculation that Miami could lure TCU head coach Gary Patterson away from the horned Frogs. He has brought that program back from the depths of college jokes, and into the light of nation.

Supposedly had Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano known that Butch Davis was going to leave Miami a decade ago, he would have stayed and gotten the job back then. Schiano’s improvement of the Scarlet Knights cannot be understated. Before Schiano, Rutgers made the Duke Blue Devils look like powerhouses.

Interesting enough, Boise State’s Chris Peterson could be sought out as the ‘Canes next coach. He has a record of 59–5 in his time with the Broncos. He took over a program that was already really good, but he has taken them to a whole other level. Imagine what Peterson could do with a true national title contender.

Possibly the most intriguing rumor of coach is former Super Bowl winning and current ESPN Monday Night Football commentator Jon Gruden. He obviously might prefer an actual National Football League job, but just imagine the three coaches in Florida consisting of Gruden, Urban Meyer and Jimbo Fisher. The recruiting wars alone would be epic.

There were even reports of Gruden agreeing to a deal that would pay him more than $3 million a year. The reports were false, as of right now at least, but this could be extremely interesting.

No matter who the Hurricanes chose, we know a couple of things: the coach will be high profile, will be expected to win right away, and a new era in “The U” will begin.

NFL Headlines for week 11

This week the NFL had more surprises than typical and that didn’t even include the typical Turkey Day festivities.

The Long Awaited Return

San Diego Chargers Wide Receiver Vincent Jackson played in his first game of the season. Well if you can call it that. Jackson played The Bolts first series against the Colts (three plays), then hurt is calf and was out of the game. So much for the Prodigal Son returning.

Jackson has been out all season due to a contract dispute and then a league mandated suspension due to a DUI from earlier in the year. All week there were reports about how he looked like he hadn’t missed a beat and looked great. Then he hurt his calf.

This proves that you actually need to do the work before you play the game, Jackson.

Childress Out

The long awaited firing of Minnesota Vikings head coach finally happened when owner Zygi Wolf announced he had let the coach go. Childress had lost the locker room a long time ago, while appearing to be incompetent of the job.

In his place, Wolf promoted Defensive Coordinator Leslie Frazier to interim head coach. It could be thought that Frazier deserved the head coaching job in the first place over Childress. But Frazier waited his turn, and waited, and waited. Finally his loyalty earned him the promotion to head honcho.

In his debut game, Frazier led the Vikings to a victory over the Washington Redskins. Maybe, just maybe, Frazier has a little Jason Garrett in him. If Frazier can pull out a couple wins, he might get the interim tag removed and actually be head coach next year, as he so truly deserves.

Spygate 2.0

Remember when the New England Patriots were caught taping the New York Jets practicing? The whole “Spygate” incident a few years back. We all thought we were passed the ridiculous situation until “New England West,” I mean the Denver Broncos, were caught doing the same exact thing against the San Francisco 49ers.

The head coach, Josh McDaniels, was a coordinator on the Patriots when it happened, and the sad thing? Steve Scarnecchia, the video operations director, was the person who did it for the Broncos was the same exact guy that did it for the Pats!

McDaniels is denying seeing it. The club and McDaniels were both fined $50,000. But how does Scarnecchia still keep getting jobs?

The Emergence of Bowe

Among the elite receivers, you typically say names like Calvin Johnson, Andre Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald and Brandon Marshall. Now you can add another name to that list.

Dwayne Bowe.

Bowe this season already has 58 receptions (14th most in the league) for 885 yards (fifth most in the league) and an NFL leading 14 touchdowns.

Bowe is leading in the touchdown category by three. Behind him is the aforementioned Calvin Johnson with 11 TDs and the next closest is five others with nine. To put that even more into context, Bowe has 13 of those in the last seven weeks.

In the past three weeks (currently on a two game win streak) Bowe has 32 receptions for 465 yards and seven TDs.

Bowe joined Jerry Rice and Jimmy Smith as the only three receivers since 1990 to have at least 13 catches, 170 yards and 3 TDs in a single game with his performance on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.

What is possibly one of the reasons for Bowe’s breakout season? He actually came to camp in shape this year, for the first time in his four year career.

With all of those numbers we now have to consider Bowe among the league’s best receivers.

Finnegan gets what he had coming to him

Tennessee Titans cornerback Cortland Finnegan is one of the league’s best, while also being known as one of its dirtiest players.

There has been a devious history among Finnegan and Houston Texans WR Andre Johnson. This Sunday, Johnson had enough. Johnson and got into a scrum that can only be called violent. Ironic since it is a violent sport, but this was truly insane.

The fight lasted only 10 to 15 seconds, but both players’ helmets were ripped off, punches were thrown, and both sidelines came onto the field. Both players were ejected from the game.

In the end, I pronounce Johnson the winner. Finnegan got what he deserved and Johnson finally had had enough of Finnegan’s nonsense.

Say what you want about the fight and violence, but this was the second straight week an incident occurred were “punches” were thrown. Last week in the Raiders vs. Steelers game, Raiders veteran defensive lineman Richard Seymour was ejected for “open–hand” punching Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

I hope it doesn’t become a trend.

Do the Heat suck?

Are the Miami Heat even good?

Coming into the 2010–2011 season for the National Basketball Association, the most hyped team was not one of the two teams that had reached the NBA Finals the year before.

Nope, not the two most complete teams in the entire league.

Not the two time defending champion, who had been there the past three years. Not the team that has been to two of the last three and won it all three years ago.

The two teams I am talking about are obviously the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics.

They are by far the best in the league, yet they were overshadowed in the offseason by one team that had been blown up and rebuilt within a few weeks.

That team would be the Miami Heat. At one point in the offseason, the Heat only had two players on their roster, Point Guard Mario Chalmers and Forward Michael Beasley. And even Beasley was soon shipped out of town.

So with technically one player left on the roster (Beasley was going to be shipped out regardless of who the Heat signed), Pat Riley and the Miami Heat re-signed Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. That was already the beginning of a team that was believed that could compete for a title.

Then there was the decision.

The most ridiculous one hour special where former Cleveland Cavalier Small Forward LeBron James announced on national television he was going to “take my talents to South Beach.” He proved that he is one of the most egotistical athletes ever.

Nonetheless, it wasn’t that he did it for the Boys and Girls Club (what a joke of an excuse); the main problem with the situation was the fact that James did not let the Cavs know ahead of time. They had to find out with the rest of the world. His “hometown team” and employer for the past seven years, weren’t given the courtesy of a simple heads up and thanks for the opportunity.

I digress.

With three superstars, this team was hyped up to such proportions, that former NBA head coach Jeff Van Gundy said that the Heat could beat the 72–10 record of the 1995–1996 Chicago Bulls (though it has been thought to be a jab at the Heat for forcing his brother Stan to resign as head coach back in 2007).

So far this season, the Miami Heat are 9–8 and third in the Southeast division and fifth in the Eastern conference. Looks like expectations were a little high.

Despite having obvious reason to believe they aren’t that good, to this day it is breaking news on ESPN that the Heat have lost another game. Like its some big surprise.

Unbelievable.

So what is wrong with the Heat?

Could it be the trio of James, Wade and Bosh killed the team’s chances?

Yes I said it. Did the new big three of the NBA in fact kill the Heat’s chances of being good for at least the next near future? Also, has their enormous egos prevented them from playing up to their own abilities?

Yes they have three of the best players in the NBA (or so be thought about Bosh), but their salaries are so exuberant that they were only able to sign one other player that could be in the rotation among the Celtics and Lakers. That player would be Mike Miller.

And the interesting thing about Miller, where is he going to play when he comes back from an injury? He is a SF or Shooting Guard. Those are the positions James and Wade play. So where does Miller exactly fit in? Maybe that signing wasn’t exactly thought out very well.

So after the acquisitions of James, Miller and Bosh and the re–signing of Wade, what else did the Heat do? They signed a bunch of nobody’s, has–been’s and never–were’s.

The lack of a point guard and a C that is big and willing to do the “dirty work” for Bosh has crushed the Heat.

They have experimented with LeBron playing the PG or Point Forward; roles like Scottie Pippen or even the Magic Johnson, a big tall player who feed the ball to teammates and could score on his own. He has frowned upon the idea, and his play has shown it.

The Heat recently signed Eric Dampier after weeks of speculation that he was going join, but he has injury concerns and now has a guaranteed contract. Will he be good enough that their only lacking piece would be a point guard?

The best case scenario for the Heat is for LeBron to embrace the Point, Wade at SG, Miller at SF, Bosh at PF and Dampier healthy at the C.

It might not what be what they have planned, but until they can get better bench players a new PG and C, this is their best chance to win. Sure Miller starting would take away from bench scoring, but who else is going to start at PG or SF?

Carlos Arroyo or James Jones? That has obviously proved to be the losing combination.

Some people have started to blame the head coach (most prominently the ego named LeBron), Erik Spoelstra. This is a hilarious insight. Sure he is young, and might not be able to handle the egos.

But who is going to save the day? Pat Riley? Maybe he even believes the Heat are too far past gone. And if they were to fail, who is his scapegoat?

It appears for now that the Heat might just be stuck. They don’t have the assets to acquire another all-star, and there are no viable free agents out there that could truly upgrade their roster.

But this much is for sure, it appears that we got too far ahead of ourselves, well at least ESPN did.

Just look on their bottom line when the Heat lose, again.

NFL Power Rankings Week 10

Been a while since did an NFL power ranking, but since then Michael Vick is apparently unstoppable, the Colts can’t keep anyone healthy, and we have some ridiculous new rules. Let’s get to it shall we?

1. Atlanta Falcons – Record (8–2)

Falcons? No. 1? No way, you say? Well look at their two loses, the Steelers and the Eagles. Either team is being argued as the best team in the league, that’s good enough reason for me.

They still can’t cover anyone (244.1 pass yards allowed a game), but thankfully their rush defense and their offense are among the league best.

Quarterback Matt Ryan is in the top 10 in passing yards and that’s because all of his weapons are finally healthy. And maybe now running back Michael Turner is finally back to his 2008 form. Turner is sixth in the league in rushing, which further helps the third year QB.

2. New York Jets – Record (8–2)

Talk about cardiac team. In the past three weeks they have come back from deficit and ended winning the game. In fact, they had to win two of those games in overtime.

The worst thing about those near heartbreaking games? The three teams weren’t good; all three have records under .500. Yes they are 8–2, but I don’t know if I trust them to win a big game. They will be put to the test in two weeks when they go to New England

3. New England Patriots – Record (8–2)

The rivalry games between the Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts are always must see games. Every time they play, you know it is going to be special.

Well Tom Brady and Co. didn’t disappoint this Sunday. Brady didn’t have a monster numbers day, but he did throw two touchdowns. The defense did one better, when Peyton Manning and the Colts look like they might win for the fifth time out of the last six, the defense picks Manning off to stop the rally.

I don’t know if I trust this young defense, but with Brady and head coach Bill Belichick at the helm, I feel a little better.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers – Record (7–3)

Their three loses have been to three Super Bowl contenders, so even though they have three loses, I was really tempted to have them on top.

Since his return, Ben Roethlisberger is averaging over 300 yards a game. If he keeps this up, he has to be mentioned in the most valuable player talk right, Mike Vick is?

Two big reasons why Roethlisberger is succeeding has been the emergence of wide receiver Mike Wallace and RB Rashard Mendenhall. Wallace is in the top 10 in receiving yards while Mendenhall is in the top 10 in rushing. The offensive future is bright in Pittsburgh, now only if their line could get healthy.

On a side note, do the refs and NFL front offices have it out for the Steelers? They are constantly fined for supposedly illegal hits when in fact they are not illegal. The helmet to helmet hits on a “defenseless” receiver penalties I don’t have a problem with, but when they are not “defenseless,” then don’t call a penalty. Also QBs can’t be hit anywhere apparently. Might as well give the QBs the practice red jerseys and not let them be hit at all. Poor James Harrison is constantly flagged on plays that are ridiculous. NFL now stands for the No Fun League.

5. Philadelphia Eagles – Record (7–3)

QB Michael Vick is the talk of the league. Two years after being incarcerated he is back to being the most dangerous weapon in the league. And now that he has learned how to be a better QB than RB, he is even more dangerous than he was before he went to jail.

My one problem with the Mike Vick MVP talk, he has only started six games, and one of those he was knocked out for three weeks. If Roethlisberger isn’t being mentioned for MVP in a couple weeks, then why is Vick?

Their offense obviously is one of the most potent in the league, but their defense is still sketchy. Their numbers are okay, but their secondary isn’t as good as they are playing. That could be fall of the Eagles.

6. Baltimore Ravens – Record (7–3)

Their offense has not been what everyone was expecting at the beginning of the year. Luckily for the Ravens, their defense appears to be healthy and back to dominating the league. In 11 seconds, the defense scored two “pick sixes.” That is good even though that was against the Panthers and Brian St. Pierre.

Their biggest piece was the return of safety Ed Reed. He hasn’t been a tackling machine at safety like LaRon Landry of the Redskins, but he does have four picks in four games. They are 3–1 in those four games, and could have been four wins and they not lost to No. 1 Atlanta.

7. Green Bay Packers – Record (7–3)

They have three loses by a combined nine points, and two of them were in overtime. So how are they 7–3? They might be the most decimated team in the NFL. They have S Morgan Burnett, MLB Nick Barnett, and TE JerMichael Finley on the Injured Reserve to go with a seemingly endless list of injuries to other players that are constantly out.

You can also count on them if you want your head coach fired. After their past two games, more like maulings, their opponents fired their head coach. Yes that would be you Wade Phillips (former Dallas Cowboys head coach) and Brad Childress (former Minnesota Vikings HC). They Packers outscored the Cowboys and Vikings by a combined 66 points. Vikings and Cowboys fans rejoice despite losing.

8. New Orleans Saints – Record (7–3)

They have two ugly loses to Arizona and to Cleveland, but their other was to Atlanta. They could easily be 9–1.

Their offense was much improved this weekend but they still don’t look as good as they did last year. Maybe now they are finally getting over their Super Bowl hangover. Their remaining schedule isn’t too bad, so maybe they might have another deep playoff run left in them.

9. Indianapolis Colts – Record (6–4)

If the Packers aren’t the most injury plagued team in the league, then it has to be the Colts. They have several of their own players on IR to go along with an injury report every week that looks like half of their starters.

And yet despite their injury bug, QB Peyton Manning continues to play at a high level. Is there any other QB that is better at winning with what he has? Any given week, Manning could be without two or three running backs, a tight end or two, a couple offensive lineman, and three or four wide receivers. Manning is truly incredible.

10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Record (7–3)

We all laughed at head coach Raheem Morris when he said the Bucs were one of the League best. I even chuckled a bit. But with another win, it looks like he was right.

I always talk about the young talent roster and how they should be a team to contend with in a year or two, but what if they have arrived now? They have a decent offensive line, a star in the making in QB Josh Freeman, a bruising yet back in LeGarrette Blount, three young receivers that could be very good in Mike Williams, Arrelious Benn and Sammie Stroughter, and now a reliable tight end in Kellen Winslow.

Now their defense just needs to get better.

11. Chicago Bears – Record (7–3)

They are 7–3, yet I have absolutely no faith in the Bears. No it isn’t QB Jay Cutler. I don’t trust anyone around him, except maybe RB Matt Forte. His offensive coordinator is insane, the line is Swiss cheese, and the receivers are nowhere near where they should be.

The defense is excellent, especially the run defense, but I don’t trust their secondary. We will see if my concerns are right rest of the way, they still face the Eagles, Patriots, Jets, and Packers again in their season finale. I think they will lose all four of those.

12. New York Giants – Record (6–4)

Remember when everyone was asking if the Giants were the best team in the NFL? Two ugly loses later, not so much.

They are healthy everywhere except the receiver position. The one position they were absolutely loaded at. They have lost Ramses Barden for the year, Steve Smith until at least mid–December, and Hakeem Nicks is out for at least three weeks. They have to throw out a bust in Derek Hagan and an undrafted rookie in Duke Calhoun. Hopefully Smith and Nicks get healthy sooner rather than later.

13. Kansas City Chiefs – Record (6–4)

They too lost two games in a row in ugly fashion. But then they had a nice bounce back victory over the Arizona Cardinals. They always seem to be the cure.

They have the league’s most potent running attack with 164.7 yards a game. It might be even better if head coach Todd Haley would give the ball to Jamal Charles some more. Ironically, Charles has fewer carries than fellow back Thomas Jones, yet Charles is seventh in the league in rushing yards. Jones is still having a really good season himself, he is 17th in the league in rushing.

WR Dwayne Bowe is 12th in the league in receiving yards and leads the league in TDs. So to say he is having a really good year, is kind of an understatement.

Despite some of the numbers QB Matt Cassel has put up in recent weeks, I would still try to draft a legit QB in April. He is a good game manager, but he has a noodle arm and isn’t much of a threat. That means KC will give Cassel a year or two more when they could get a QB in the draft like Washington’s Jake Locker or even a project like Cam Newton.

14. San Diego Chargers – Record (5–5)

They seem to be back on their typical end of the year role. I don’t know how they do it every year, but it seems natural and like clockwork.

QB Philip Rivers is on an MVP pace without most of his weapons all year. We can easily mention Rivers among the candidates for the award. He has been like Peyton Manning, who also just goes out there and puts up big numbers without his normal weapons.

15. Jacksonville Jaguars – Record (6–4)

They are technically in the lead in the AFC South, but do you think they finish better than 9–7, and beat the Colts? If you said yes, you need to come back down to earth Jaguars fans.

They almost lost to the Browns, needing to score with less than two minutes to win the game. This after they won last week on that crazy game ending Hail Mary, that the defense batted into the trailers arm for the game winning TD.

Maurice Jones–Drew had a big yardage day, but he continues to lack in the TD department. If they want to win the division, MJD needs to score a lot more.

16. Tennessee Titans – Record (5–5)

They might have the most interesting situation in football right now. Vince Young was said to be benched after the game after his poor play and storming out of the stadium. Young went out with an injury but he says wanted to come back in. Head coach Jeff Fisher said Young said no such thing to him or his staff. Young also reportedly threw his helmet and shoulder pads into the stands and didn’t even stick around to hear Fisher’s comments on the game.

This is an unbelievable development.

17. Washington Redskins – Record (5–5)

They pulled out the win over Tennessee in overtime, yet Donovan McNabb’s job still doesn’t seem solid. I don’t know what else this guy has to do to convince his overrated coach into believing he is the right guy for the job. If I was Daniel Snyder, I would stick with the QB and get rid of the coach.

18. Miami Dolphins – Record (5–5)

They have become incredibly disappointing. The offense isn’t anywhere near what rest of the league was expecting. Chad Henne might not even be the QB of the future. The upcoming draft is going to be very interesting for Henne and a couple other Dolphins, not to mention the coach who might be on the hot seat.

19. Oakland Raiders – Record (5–5)

The talk about them was the old rivalry between the Raiders and the Steelers. Didn’t look much like the 70’s. The Steelers whooped up on the Raiders. So much for they might be able to win the division ESPN. They are still a couple of years away. Leave the division to the Chiefs and Chargers.

20. Seattle Seahawks – Record (5–5)

The highest rated team in the NFC West. That says it all. The best team in the division is the highest rated team is 20th in the league, that is embarrassing. And the worse thing about it? One of these teams has to host a game in the playoffs!

21. Dallas Cowboys – Record (3–7)

I am sick and tired of writing how this team has an incredible amount of talent and just can’t win. Well apparently they did have the talent all along. Looks like Jason Garrett was keeping the real plays away from Wade Phillips. With Garrett, Dallas is 2–0. It may not be a conspiracy, but it sure is interesting how much better big D looks now.

22. St. Louis Rams – Record (4–6)

Thankfully the Falcons didn’t play down to the lowly Rams. My nightmare would be for these Rams to end up in the playoffs hosting a playoff game.

23. Houston Texans – Record (4–6)

What did I say? I said they were fakes. We have been proclaiming them ready for the playoffs for at least the past three years. At this pace, they will be ready for the playoffs sometime around 2020.

24. Arizona Cardinals – Record (3–7)

They slightly out gained the Chiefs but held onto the ball for five more minutes. Yet they still lost by 18, and it would have been more had it not been for the last second TD for no reason. What is that saying about this team? They miss Kurt Warner, and they need to draft a QB in April.

25. Denver Broncos – Record (3–7)

They are embarrassing. Josh McDaniels seems over his head.

Is there a possibility that it might be time for Tim Tebow to start at QB and try and get some value out of Kyle Orton? This team has a long way to go.

26. San Francisco 49ers – Record (3–7)

They were shutout for the first time at home since 1977. And the sad thing about them? There is still a chance they could win the division! That is how incredibly pathetic the NFC West is.

They were some people’s Super Bowl pick to go to the Super Bowl. That is most likely out of the question now, but they are technically only two games out of first place.

27. Cleveland Browns – Record (3–7)

Could of, should of, would of. That explains the Browns against the Jags. They had the game wrapped up with a little over 2 minutes to go, yet they couldn’t pull it out.

Most surprising about this game? The Jaguars held the Brown’s Peyton Hillis to less than 50 yards rushing. Thankfully for Hillis’ fantasy owners, he had six receptions for 95 yards. Hillis and QB Colt McCoy and a few others are the keys to the Browns future.

28. Minnesota Vikings – Record (3–7)

Good news Vikings fans. Head coach Brad Childress was finally fired. I'm not a fan of firing coaches’ mid-season, but he had to go. He had completely lost the locker room, and apparently didn’t ask for the owner’s permission when he released WR Randy Moss. Owner Zygi Wilf even contemplated firing Childress and keeping Moss.

Now defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier is the head coach. Hopefully he can pull a Jason Garrett and start winning some football games. Frazier also confirmed that Brett Favre will remain his starting QB.

I have been a Favre cynic in the past, but Tavaris Jackson is not longer the QB of the future. Best move now is to stick with Favre despite his injuries and draft a QB in April.

29. Cincinnati Bengals – Record (2–8)

Is there any team that is more of a joke than the Bengals?

People are rejoicing Terrell Owens over his good season, but QB Carson Palmer really should be throwing to Chad Ochocinco. The Bengals won the AFC North last year and swept the division.

I know they are dealing with some injuries but their main offseason addition was TO. Bag on me all you want, but how good are teams with TO? His teams always stink or don’t play up to their abilities when he is there. Also he holds back other receivers.

Look at Dallas last year, their first without TO, they won their first playoff game in forever and WR Miles Austin developed into one of the league’s best. And this year, sure the Bills stink but they always do, Steve Johnson is No. 10 in the league in receiving yards. Johnson wasn’t this good last year. And even the Bills “Ole’ Reliable,” Lee Evans was terrible last year. Think what you want about TO, but the facts don’t lie.

30. Detroit Lions – Record (2–8)

I generally don’t feel bad for teams, but I do for the Lions. QB Matt Stafford is out with another shoulder injury. He already saw revered orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews, who says he will not need surgery but just needs rehab.

My personal advice to the young Mr. Stafford? Get the freaking surgery. There have been tons of athletes in recent memory that elected to go with the rehab and ended up needing the surgery anyways. And with an injury like a shoulder, surgery is probably the best option.

31. Buffalo Bills – Record (2–8)

They were down 28–7 at one point to the Bengals, and ended up winning by 18. That’s saying as much about the Bills as the Bengals. They seem to be an inspired bunch despite their lack of personnel.

Also, could Ryan Fitzpatrick be the solution at QB? I know he is already 27, but and the Bills are only 2–6 with him at the helm, but they just as easily could be 4–4; they have lost two nail biters in overtime.

I know you don’t pass on a QB like Andrew Luck but you never know with young QBs, especially on the Bills. That’s a good question for debate.

32. Carolina Panthers – Record (1–9)

I said during the draft that QB Jimmy Clausen was put in a much better situation than top pick Sam Bradford. I won’t admit defeat… yet.

The Panthers are the NFL’s youngest team and is playing in the tough NFC South. They have to play against the reigning Super Bowl Champions Saints, the best team in the league the Atlanta Falcons, and the upstart Tampa Bay Buccaneers. All three have a record of 7–3 or better.

Then they have John Fox as their head coach. Yes he has gone to a Super Bowl but that was way back in 2003. In the seven seasons since, they have two winning seasons. It might be the coach.

Just Got Published!!!

At just around 6P.M. I got mny first story published!

Go check it out at http://www.avnewstodayonline.com/!

It is in the sports section. The story is about Cam Newton possibly going pro.

Go check it out!!!!!

Major League Baseball Offseason

The offseason is here for baseball. The San Francisco Giants winning the World Series is already old news. So what comes up next?

The offseason is now, “Hot Stove season.” In other words, what are teams cooking up and planning to do now that they can reassess their ball clubs. Now we can expect releases, signings, and the always intriguing trades.

Top 20 MLB Free Agents

This is another extremely weak free agent class. The top six can be considered perennial All-Star contenders, but after them, the class falls off. There are players that never reached their full potential, aging stars, and players influx.

1. Cliff Lee – LHP – 28 Games Started – 12 Wins – 9 Loses – 185 Strikeouts – 18 Walks – 3.18 Earned Runs Allowed

Did you expect anyone else in the top spot besides Cliff Lee? He is arguably the best pitcher in baseball and the best pitcher on the Free Agent market since the Yankees LHP CC Sabathia. Lee started the year on the DL with the Mariners, but upon his arrival, he started dominating.

But even with Lee and fellow Mariners starter Felix Hernandez dominating, the team crumbled. Thus, Lee was the subject of much trade speculation. It appeared to be the Yankees that snagged the lefty with their prospect catching stud Jesus Montero plus a few other prospects.

At the last second, the Mariners pulled the rug out from under the Yankees and traded Lee to the Texas Rangers for 1B prospect Justin Smoak and an assortment of other prospects.

The afterthought prospects for both teams weren’t all too impressive, but Smoak and Montero were. Apparently though, the Mariners wanted Smoak more. This was Lee’s fourth team in two years.

Lee started off rough with Texas. His worse stats actually were at the Rangers home ballpark. After getting into his groove, Lee again started making opposing batters look absolutely foolish at the plate.

Proving his worth, Lee led the Rangers all the way to the World Series, the first in Rangers franchise history. He again couldn’t prevail. In his second straight World Series appearance, the Rangers lost the series, 4–1.

Now to where Lee has wanted to be for the past three years, free agency.

Everyone in baseball wants to add Cliff Lee to their pitching staff, but there are only two true contenders, the New York Yankees and the Texas Rangers. There will be rumors of teams such as the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and even possibly a return to the Philadelphia Phillies. Don’t take any of these other rumors seriously.

Why?

The money and other team needs. The three other teams have major needs at other positions, and their payrolls are already at their breaking points.

So why the Rangers and the Yankees?

The Rangers traded their prized 1B prospect and possible future franchise player in Smoak away. They have a loaded system, but he is still a huge hit. If the Rangers don’t re-up the Lee, they will have to trade more prospects, make more radical moves and spend more money to get a viable replacement. Signing Lee alone will cost the team an arm and a leg.

They Yankees have been waiting for three years to get their hands on Lee. Their hope was almost lost when Lee was traded to the Phillies last year, but with the trade to the Mariners, hope was regained. The Yankees need Lee, have the money, and now won’t have to give up any of their top prospects. If they lose out on Lee, they will have to make an insane trade to get another player of Lee’s caliber. With that thought, money will not be an issue in getting him.

Lee could be a slight risk, considering he is 32 years old. But with the way he pitches, more finesse and movement than speed and power, there shouldn’t be much a huge risk in signing him.

Prediction – Yankees, six years for $140 million.

2. Carl Crawford – LF – 154 Games Played – .307 Batting Average – 19 Homeruns – 90 Runs Batted In – 110 Runs – .356 On–Base Percentage

Crawford is by far the longest tenured Tampa Bay Ray in their short history. He is a homegrown talent from the Tampa Bay Rays and they really want to keep him. Problem is the team doesn’t have the money he could be asking for.

It will all come down to dollars with Crawford; he had taken a team friendly deal in the past, now he will be looking for the big pay day.

Crawford is an extraordinary fielder, a great hitter, and one of the fastest players in baseball. All of these abilities will lead to a bidding war for Crawford’s services.

He isn’t the typical power hitter that gets this much money, but all the other things he does make him a great player. But the 19 homeruns he had this year, were a nice surprise.

Before the season there were four teams that would want Crawford, the Rays, Red Sox, Angels, and even the Yankees. Now you can switch out the Yankees and add the Detroit Tigers. With the Yankees out, the price for Crawford might fall slightly, but with an almost auction type setting for him, that might not even happen.

The money will most likely be out of the range for the Rays, leaving the Tigers, Red Sox and Angels left.

At just 29, Crawford is a worthwhile investment for any team. And his speed should stay with him if he goes to a team with real grass instead of turf.

Prediction – Angels, seven years for $115 million.

3. Jayson Werth – RF – 156 GP – .296 AVG – 27 HR – 85 RBI – 106 Runs – .388 OBP

Some could consider Werth a consolation prize for the team(s) that doesn’t get Crawford. But truthfully, Werth was almost my No. 2 free agent. He is a true “five – tool player.” He can hit, field, run, take a walk, or whatever you ask him to do.

He is 31, but he has been healthy for the past few years. It is true that he had health issues in the past (the reason why the Phillies got him in the first place), but since recovering, he hasn’t played less than 134 games since 2008.

The players for Werth are the same for Crawford; Rays, Tigers, Red Sox, but you can add the Phillies in their attempts to re-sign Werth.

It might be difficult for the Phillies to get Werth, with OF prospect Dominic Brown ready now, but they really need him back. He was the right handed power in their lineup. But to get Werth back in Philly, they will need to find a way to get rid of LF Raul Ibanez. If I was in the Phillies front office, I would do anything to get rid of Ibanez to get Werth back.

If the Phillies can’t find a way to get their starting right fielder back, expect him to bolt for the big bucks.

Prediction – Red Sox, six years for $105 million.

4. Adrian Beltre – 3B – 154 GP – .321 AVG – 28 HR – 102 RBI – 84 Runs – .365 OBP

Could he possibly be the smartest player in sports? After years of great defense but a rough time at the plate in Seattle, his market was down last year.

The Oakland A’s made a multiyear offer to Beltre, but the money wasn’t enough for him. Beltre ended agreeing with the Boston Red Sox on a one year $10 million dollar deal.

Beltre had a rough start to his normally excellent defense, but by the end of the year, he considered to be in race for the AL MVP. He showed that his offensive numbers are great. All he needed was to be in a “hitter’s park,” instead of the expansive outfield at Safeco Field.

The Red Sox obviously want the 31 year old back, but he will have other suitors. The Angels and possibly the Athletics could be the Red Sox biggest competition. Problem with re–signing Beltre, the Red Sox are after 1B Adrian Gonzalez. Kevin Youkilis plays 1B now, but with Gonzalez, Youkilis would shift to 3B. It’s seems like a “Catch–22” situation.

Whoever ends up signing Beltre, they will be getting a great hitter who can more than handle the “hot corner.”

Prediction – Angels, five years for $70 million.

5. Adam Dunn – 1B/DH – 158 GP – .260 AVG – 38 HR – 103 RBI – 85 Runs – .356 OBP

He is possibly the most consistent hitter in baseball. He isn’t the best hitter for average, but that’s not what I'm talking about. Since 2004 his homerun numbers are: 46, 40, 40, 40, 40, 38 and 38. He also has had 100+ RBI’s since 2007. Those sound great (even though RBI’s are an overrated stat), but he also has 164+ strikeouts in eight of the nine last seasons.

He is the epitome of all or nothing. He is one of a handful of players in baseball that could hit four homeruns in a game or strikeout four times.

His defense has improved at first base, but his best position is designated hitter. He says he won’t DH, pretty much eliminating any American League in my mind. That takes away half the teams in baseball.

So who in the National League needs a 1B? The Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, and Washington Nationals are the teams in the running for Dunn.

The Giants want to continue their relationship with Aubrey Huff, so take away them.

Dunn obviously doesn’t want to stay in Washington, or else he would have signed an extension already.

That leaves the Cubs. They traded away Derek Lee to the Braves and have no 1B prospect in the farm system ready to step up. That means they have a huge hole there. The Cubs will overpay, they always do, meaning they will have another enormous contract on their hands.

Prediction – Cubs, five years for $70 million.

6. Victor Martinez – C/1B – 127 GP – .302 AVG – 20 HR – 79 RBI – 64 Runs – .351 OBP

Martinez and Dunn are interchangeable spots, meaning you could flip–flop them if you wanted. Personally, Dunn was better despite is below–average defense. Martinez is a terrible catcher so he should be playing 1B.

Some teams view him as an adequate catcher, despite the fact that he couldn’t throw out Betty White trying to steal second. That’s fine, especially since his bat makes him valuable at the position.

There are two teams primarily chasing after Martinez, Detroit and Boston.

Detroit needs more fire power from the catcher position after throwing Gerald Laird and Alex Avila out there every day. Their defense would suffer, but he would make it up in runs.

The Red Sox have a great farm system, but they are lacking a legit catching prospect, unless they believe C Jarrod Saltalamacchia is finally healthy and ready to contribute. That is why they need Martinez back.

Unfortunately for them, he will need to switch to 1B or DH in a few years. This could come back to bite them, especially if they end up trading for San Diego 1B Adrian Gonzalez or even signing him in a year.

Prediction – Tigers, five years for $55 million

7. Jorge De La Rosa – LHP – 20 GS – 8 W – 7 L – 113 K – 66 BB – 4.22 ERA

He is being considered the second best pitcher in free agency after Lee. So you can only imagine how weak this free agent pitching class is.

He is 29 and there is still room to grow. Not to say that he is great and still improving, just that he is okay and hasn’t reached his full potential.

He never can stay healthy and walks a lot of batters, which are two things that are never good for a pitcher. Thankfully for whoever signs De La Rosa, most of his injuries are non–arm related, other than his finger injury this year.

He is considered a power arm, but his best pitch is his changeup according to ESPN’s Keith Law.

The Colorado Rockies really wants him back, but because of the market and other factors, he might be out of their price range. He could easily agree to a four year – $40 million or five year – $50 million deal.

Other than Colorado, the Rangers, Yankees, and possibly a team like the Brewers could sign De La Rosa. Most likely the loser of the Lee sweepstakes picks up De La Rosa.

Prediction – Rangers, four years for $44 million.

8. Carl Pavano – RHP – 32 GS – 17 W – 11 L – 117 K – 37 BB – 3.75 ERA

His problems in New York seem now to be all health related and not mental. In his four years in the spotlight, he went in hurt and left hurt. He finally seemed to be healthy after he was in Cleveland the following year.

Pavano was traded by the Indians last year to Minnesota. He signed a one year extension after last season, meaning he is again a free agent.

He picked a good time to become one. He could be in line for another substantial deal again at the age of 34, but there is definitely one place he isn’t going to, the Yankees.

He did seem to be in a giveaway mood with the long ball, 24 HR’s, but he did throw 221 innings this year. He isn’t going to blow by you with gas, but he gets people out, and that’s what the mold is in the Twins organization.

If you’re the Twins and Pavano, why ruin a good thing?

Prediction – Twins, three years for $27 million.

9. Paul Konerko – 1B – 149 GP – .312 AVG – 39 HR – 111 RBI – 89 Runs – .393 OBP

He is getting a little older, 34, but he arguably had his best season ever. Sadly, if you look at the film, he is starting to “cheat” by starting early on fastballs and other things of the like.

He might have a good year or two left in him, but you will see a rapid decline in production from him.

It seems to be happening to all the “old–time sluggers.”

But because of his great year this season, the market will most likely overpay for Konerko.

There are rumors that Arizona would like to bring Konerko where his home is, but they have little money, so don’t expect that.

Returning to the White Sox is his likely destination, unless crazy deal making General Manager Kenny Williams acquires a guy like Prince Fielder or even signs Adam Dunn.

Prediction – White Sox, three years for $30 million.

10. Andy Pettitte – LHP – 21 GS – 11 W – 3 L – 101 K – 41 BB – 3.28 ERA

Before his midseason injury, there was talk amongst baseball writers that he could possibly win the AL Cy Young. Then he hurt his groin and was eventually placed on the 60 day Disabled List.

He is still a very good pitcher, but there seems to be another Brett Favre in New York. No not with the sexual harassment allegations, but the “I'm retiring, no I’ll come back” talk.

If he was going to retire, the perfect time would have been after winning a fifth World Series. He is 38, but I expect him to stick around at least another year for an attempt at yet another ring.

If there are any other reports of Pettitte going anywhere else but New York, disregard it and laugh at the report.

Prediction – Yankees, one year for $10 million.

11. Aubrey Huff – 1B – 157 GP – .290 AVG – 26 HR – 86 RBI – 100 Runs – .385 OBP

I was an extreme skeptic of the San Francisco Giants signing Huff, but he proved me wrong throughout the year. He had regressed severely and always is a streaky hitter. At the age of 33, he didn’t impress me.

He gave them four months of All–Star type production, but he did regress after the trade deadline. Despite that, he played adequate defense at 1B for most of the year, and was a great guy for San Francisco.

The Giants might want to continue their relationship, but if they can get a guy like Fielder, Dunn or even one of the stellar outfielders, I would let him walk. Then again, I don’t think GM Brian Sabean is that smart.

Prediction – Giants, two years for $15 million

12. Derek Jeter – SS – 157 GP – .270 AVG – 10 HR – 67 RBI – 111 Runs – .340 OBP

The Captain had the worst year of his career, plain and simple. He was 44 points off his career batting average. And most other statistics dropped from last year.

His 2009 numbers were: .334 batting average, 18 homeruns, .406 OBP, .465 SLUG, and 212 hits. This year: .270 batting average, 10 homeruns, .340 OBP, .270 Slug and only 179 hits.

There are a couple rumors saying other teams might lure Jeter away from New York. Read the line in Pettitte’s comments. He is not leaving the Yankees.

That is a drastic decline. Then again, before last season, everyone was saying he was on the decline and then look at his 2009 numbers above.

Had he had a year like 2009, Jeter could be looking at a $100 million deal. He will still get a big deal, but mainly due to respect and because he is a “true Yankee.”

You can say he is on the decline, especially after such a poor year, but do you really want to bet against Jeter, even if he is 36? Yea, me neither.

Prediction – Yankees, five years for $85 million.

13. Jake Westbrook – RHP – 33 GS – 10 W – 11 L – 128 K – 68 BB – 4.22 ERA

He is at best a good No. 3 pitcher. He is a year removed from Tommy John surgery, and he already started opening day for the Cleveland Indians. Not that that’s saying much about the Indians.

He was traded at the deadline to the St. Louis Cardinals when it looked like they would be headed to the postseason. Well that didn’t happen.

He will get a ton of groundballs, but won’t strike many out.

Look for a return to either the Cardinals or the Indians for the 33 year old. A dark horse could be the pitching starved Brewers or even Mets.

Prediction – Cardinals, two years for $16 million.

Update – Westbrook signed a two year $16.5 million deal with the Cardinals.

14. Orlando Hudson – 2B – 126 GP – .268 AVG – 6 HR – 37 RBI – 80 runs – .338 OBP

I really don’t like Hudson here, but this free agent class is so weak that I really didn’t have much of an option.

Hudson has been one of the most overrated players in baseball the past four or five years. He always seems to have a wrist injury and his defense (his best asset besides his speed) has slipped. And even though he has speed, he is a below–average runner on the bases. Yet people still don’t recognize it.

These facts have been obvious for a long time, yet many analysts, writers and especially commentators refuse to acknowledge the facts.

I mean, come on, last year the Dodgers manager Joe Torre benched Hudson late in the season for Ronnie Belliard. Yet everyone still raves about Hudson. It’s sickening.

Despite all the reasoning, I see the Mets being the main team interested in Hudson. The Mets will have to get rid of 2B Luis Castillo somehow, but the Mets have been yearning over Hudson for years. This is their chance.

Prediction – Mets, three years for $20 million.

15. Rafael Soriano – CL – 64 G – 45 Saves – 3 W – 2 L – 57 K – 14 BB – 1.73 ERA

The Tampa Bay Rays solved their closer problem! Well actually just for a year. Soriano made $7.25 million this past year and will be looking for a raise after leading the AL in saves.

Of course Tampa would love to re–sign Soriano, but as mentioned before, they do not have deep pockets.

Soriano and Crawford will only be a couple of the mass exodus from Tampa. They could lose up to five or six player in free agency and then they could trade two or three more players.

Could we have just seen the Rays window close?

Soriano likely is closing somewhere else next year. A big deal is expected, he is electric and still young for a closer, only 30. Angels have a need here. They could be the Yankees of two offseasons ago.

Prediction – Angels, four years for $48 million.

16. Mariano Rivera – CL – 61 G – 33 SV – 3 W – 3 L – 45 K – 11 BB – 1.80 ERA

He would be above Soriano normally but you have to take two factors in consideration. 1. Mariano is not leaving the Yankees. 2. The “Sandman” is 40 years old.

He still dominates baseball with that destructive and bat–shattering cutter.

He is the best postseason closer of all time, and could pitch another four years.

Rivera will be overpaid because of his Yankee status in history.

Prediction – Yankees, three years for $42 million.

17. Juan Uribe – SS/2B/3B – 148 GP – .248 AVG – 24 HR – 85 RBI – 64 Runs – .310 OBP

If you want a guy to compare to Vladimir Guerrero this is the guy. I’m not saying Uribe is going to be a Hall of Famer like Guerrero will be, but in the fact that he crushes fastballs, mistake pitches and has absolutely zero plate discipline.

He doesn’t like taking walks, as evidence by his only 45 walks this year. That’s not likely to change since he isn’t young exactly young, 31.

He is versatile in the field, though doesn’t have great range at any position, and his arm makes up for that.

No one wanted him two years ago and the Giants gave him a chance. Well I don’t think he will get a much better offer than he will from the Giants.

Prediction – Giants, three years for $18 million.

18. Hiroki Kuroda – 31 GS – 11 W – 13 L – 159 K – 48 BB – 3.39 ERA

He could easily be at 11, were Keith Law has him on his list. But his age and the likelihood of him re–signing with the Dodgers drop him a little here for me.

Kuroda strikes out enough guys to not be considered a true groundball pitcher, but not enough to be called a strikeout pitcher. The happy medium and ability to avoid walking a lot of guys, will lead to a few teams looking into him.

He has had some injury scares in the past, but nothing that has been too serious.

He made $15+ million this year, but expect a steep pay cut.

Prediction – Dodgers, two years for $20 million.

Update – Kuroda signed a one year extension with the Dodgers for $12 million,

19. Brad Penny – RHP – 9 GS – 3 W – 4 L – 35 K – 9 BB – 3.23 ERA

Penny was injured shortly into the season. It was a big blow to the Cardinals staff in my opinion. Had he not been injured, there would have been no need to trade for Jake Westbrook.

In the past, Penny had been a guy that tried to intimidate batters. Even though he has good velocity and so–so movement, he wasn’t the most successful pitcher.

Then he joined the Cardinals and pitching guru Dave Duncan. Before he was injured, he had the best groundball ratio of his career and was likely to have a very good season in St. Louis.

I think Penny will want to prove himself in St. Louis, and I'm sure working with Duncan helped. I could see Penny rejoining the Cardinals. A long–term deal isn’t likely, as Penny is 32 and hasn’t always been the healthiest throughout his career.

Prediction – Cardinals, two years for $14 million.

20. Jim Thome – DH – 108 GP – .283 AVG – 25 HR – 59 RBI – 48 Runs – .412 OBP

The 40 year old can still hit. Sure Thome is a DH and has major platoon splits so he has to sit vs. lefthanders, but he can still get on base, and hit the ball out the park.

He says he is willing to continue DHing, take a pay cut and not play every day. Well if you told me that in 108 games Thome would hit 25 homeruns and get on base at a .412 clip, I’d say I would take him.

He is one of baseball’s best endorsers of the game, and a great teammate.

Manny Ramirez and a number of other players could have been here, but Thome was more productive than the others in my opinion.

Look for him having another good season with the Twins.

Prediction – Twins, one year for $2.25 million.

Possible Trades

Last year there was a huge three team trade involving the Tigers, Diamondbacks and Yankees and seven players. There are always talks of “blockbuster” trades like this, but usually nothing materializes besides speculation.

This year, there are a few blockbusters that could actually happen. These eight players are the most speculated movers.

1. Zack Greinke – RHP –Kansas City Royals

The main teams seeking Greinke are the Texas Rangers (if they can’t retain Cliff Lee), New York Yankees (same reason as Texas), and surprisingly the Toronto Blue Jays.

A deal involving Greinke could happen but isn’t necessarily likely. He has a team friendly deal for the next two years, and he says he has no desire in going to a big market.

If there is a deal involving the 2009 AL Cy Young, it will be a heavily prospect laden package.

The Royals are asking for two “can’t–miss” prospects with one or two more really good prospects.

A few years ago that wouldn’t have been a problem, but today with teams hoarding prospects like they are gold bars, it’s difficult to see.

A package from Texas would most certainly involve RHP Neftali Feliz and probably LHP Martin Perez. Other than that, the Rangers are loaded with pitching prospects, but a little lighter on positional prospects. If Kansas City wants pitching exclusively, Texas is a prime choice for a trade.

With Greinke not wanting to go to a big market team, the Yankees might be a long shot to get the talented 27 year old.

If they can work something out with Greinke, a deal would most certainly require prospects like C Jesus Montero, LHP Manny Banuelos and others. That is a lot of talent and certainly tempting, but will Greinke say yes to a deal?

Toronto has been thrown out there as a possible destination. Their package for Greinke would most likely be centered around LF Travis Snider, RHP Kyle Drabek and probably two others.

Snider and Drabek have been hyped to astronomical heights, but are they those “can’t– miss” prospects the Royals yearn for?

2. Prince Fielder – 1B – Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers are in the same position as the Royals. They don’t have to trade Fielder unless they feel like they can benefit more from doing so. Even if the Brewers lose Fielder to free agency next year, they will get two compensation picks in the draft.

The Brewers might want to make a deal in my opinion. Fielder’s agent is Scott Boras, and will seek the most money. The Brewers bring a ton of people to the stadium, over the million annually, but can they pay the Mark Teixeira money that Fielder will be chasing?

And it benefits Fielder that he is only 26 and will only be 27 when he reaches free agency.

Recently Mark Kotsay of the White Sox says the GM Kenny Williams is lusting after a player like Fielder. But the best piece the Chi Sox have is 3B Gordon Beckham. Fielder is good, but I wouldn’t trade Beckham for him.

Say Williams is crazy enough to try and make a deal. Who would he trade for Fielder? They said they are willing to deal LF Carlos Quentin, but he wouldn’t even be asked for.

The package would need Beckham, CF prospect Jared Mitchell and more. The Brewers need pitching so a deal from Chicago would be hard to accomplish since they have no “legit” pitching prospects.

San Francisco Giants have been rumored to be in on Fielder. Problem is, two of the major guys the Brewers would want, C Buster Posey and LHP Madison Bumgarner, have to be untouchable.

That leaves RHP Zack Wheeler and a handful of positional prospects. Wheeler is a potential No. 1 pitcher (an ace), but it would be difficult for a team to built around pitching to trade their best pitching prospect.

There have been a couple people saying Fielder might be a fit in Boston. That is the farthest thing from the truth in my opinion. Besides, they are focused on Adrian Gonzalez.

In the end, a surprise team might end up dealing for Fielder, unless the Brewers are willing to accept positional prospects.

3. Adrian Gonzalez – 1B – San Diego Padres

There has been major speculation around the Padres first baseman for the past two years. He is a hometown hero, and brings in a big Hispanic audience. He is a big time player, by far San Diego’s best player and most importantly, still relatively young at 28.

That is all fine and dandy, but they will not be able to pay him. He will probably be chasing $180 million, and that would be just too much for the Padres.

There are a couple teams after him, but the two main players for him are the two Sox’s. The Red and White ones.

The Chi Sox are in the same predicament that they would be in if they pursued Fielder. The package from above would most likely be required and then some.

It would be less difficult for Boston to make a trade. San Diego GM Jed Hoyer was a disciple under Boston GM Theo Epstein and knows there system in and out.

The Red Sox are notorious under Epstein in not wanting to part with prospects. But to beat the Yankees, they might have to do it now and not wait till after the season when Gonzalez is a free agent.

Gonzalez would net the Padres prospects RHP Casey Kelly and SS Jose Iglesias. Others such as 1B Lars Anderson, RHP Junichi Tazawa (if recovered from Tommy John surgery), and OF Josh Reddick might also be included.

OF Ryan Westmoreland might be involved too if he has fully recovered from brain surgery in March. That might be a stretch, since there was questions about if he would ever play again.

4. Colby Rasmus – CF – St. Louis Cardinals

It was insane how asinine Cardinals manager Tony La Russa handled Rasmus. Rasmus is considered a “can’t miss” player already at the age of 24. He is a true “five–tool” player.

La Russa didn’t play him all the time, took him out against lefthanders and treated the kid like a dog.

Rasmus responded with numbers of .276 batting average, 23 homeruns, 66 RBI, .361 OBP, a .498 slugging percentage and great defense. Rasmus even admitted to wanting to be traded due to La Russa’s idiocy.

If the Cardinals really did trade Rasmus they should have the franchise forcibly taken away from them.

There are countless teams hoping Rasmus is on the block.

The packages can only be imagined for a second year player, who is already putting up those numbers.

5. Dan Uggla – 2B – Florida Marlins

There was hope the two sides could agree on a contract extension, but when Uggla didn’t like the numbers, the contract was leaked (four years for $48 million).

The Marlins blamed Uggla for releasing the negotiations. Uggla then proceeded by going on record that he did not leak the negotiations and that Florida had to be the culprits.

Ever since, Uggla is reportedly on the block. It shouldn’t be unexpected, as Uggla has been on the block for at least the past two years.

Popular destinations include the Giants and Tigers.

Update – Dan Uggla was surprisingly traded to a division rival, Atlanta Braves for infielder/outfielder Omar Infante and relief pitcher Michael Dunn.

6. Carlos Beltran – OF – New York Mets

Beltran stirred this pot himself when he said that he would be willing to accept a trade or a shirt to RF. Beltran was once considered the best CF in the game. But due to injuries the past two years, he has lost favor with the Mets.

If Beltran was healthy, he could bring a couple nice prospects, but due to his salary and injuries, he might not bring all that much.

Some people might prefer to have Beltran stay on the Mets play somewhere in the OF. Then again, others might want to dump his salary and move on, with whatever they get in a trade as an added bonus.

7. Matt Kemp – CF – Los Angeles Dodgers

Two years ago he was a rising star with a ridiculously bright future. Now he is a character concern who is coming off a poor year at the plate and on the field.

He is also going to start costing the Dodgers a ton of money very soon. Everyone should know already about the Dodgers ownership divorce situation. Anyway that Frank McCourt can cut costs, he will.

There might be a replacement for Kemp in OF prospect Trayvon Robinson, so a deal might not be out of the question.

I wouldn’t let Kemp go easily though. The Dodgers should ask for the sky on this one. Kemp is still young, talented, and full of potential.

8. Jonathon Papelbon – CL – Boston Red Sox

Daniel Bard looks like he is ready to take over for Papelbon. That is the reason for the speculation. Bard is a flamethrower who is filthy, while Papelbon is turning into a one pitch closer.

A one pitch closer might have been ok in the past, but that one pitch isn’t as good as it was a few years ago. He has lost some velocity, movement on his pitches and at times, the inability to throw strikes.

It also doesn’t help that Papelbon feels entitled to enormous sums of money.

Closers are always in need and Papelbon should be able to fool some dummy into trading a nice prospect for a year of Papelbon. That is unless the trading team extends him.

A couple possibilities are the Philadelphia Phillies and the division rival Rays. The Phillies have little left in their farm system after three monster trades in the past year and a half. The Rays are division rivals of the Red Sox. Both cases are roadblocks, but get rid of him while he still has some trade value.

Trade in Review

On Dec. 5, 2007, the Detroit Tigers made a “blockbuster” trade for Miguel Cabrera and LHP Dontrelle Willis. The deal has turned out well for the Tigers in the exception that Dontelle Willis is no longer with them.

Cabrera is a perennial AL MVP candidate and possibly the best 1B in the AL.

At the time of the trade Cabrera was a 24 year old that was already putting up huge numbers for Marlins, but they couldn’t afford to keep him. Typical of the Marlins.

In return for Cabrera and Willis, the Marlins got OF Cameron Maybin, LHP Andrew Miller, catcher Mike Rabelo, relief pitcher Burke Badenhop and two “throw–in” minor league pitchers.

Currently there are is only one player from that trade still on the Marlins. Yep, you guessed it, Badenhop. The reliever that was considered a “throw–in.”

Rabelo was considered a catching prospect that might not be an All-Star, but be a solid player. He is now released and a free agent.

The two gems of the deal for the Marlins were Maybin and Miller. Miller was considered to be a potential No. 1 pitching prospect and was the sixth overall pick in 2006. While Maybin was thought to be the next Ken Griffey Jr. or any other top CF and was the 10th overall pick in the 2005 pick.

In his on the mound, Miller was wild, leading to a massive amount of walks, hits. In 54 games started and 25 relief appearances, Miller’s statistics were: 294.1 innings pitched, 337 hits, 191 earned runs, 28 homeruns, 174 walks, 238 strikeouts, a WHIP (walks and hits per inning) of 1.74 and an ERA of 5.84.

Miller was far from the ace that the Marlins envisioned a little less than three years ago.

On Thursday, Nov. 13 2010, Miller, 25, was traded to the Boston Red Sox for Dustin Richardson, their 27th best prospect according to Baseball America. Florida officially gave up on Miller in less than three years.

Maybin, 23, continually teased everyone with flashes of breaking through and becoming a star. He even had a ridiculous run at the end of the 2009 season when he batted over .400 in the last few weeks of the season. He had arrived.

He followed that by striking out 92 times in 82 games. Okay, maybe we jumped on the band wagon too soon.

In Maybin’s 168 career games his stats are: .246 AVG, 13 HR, 45 RBI, 19 stolen bases, 93 runs, .313 OBP, only 135 hits and 172 K’s. So much for the second coming of Griffey Jr.

Two days after Miller was traded, CF Cameron Maybin was traded to the San Diego Padres for relievers Ryan Webb and Edward Mujica. Again, the Marlins gave up on a player in less than three years.

The pair of former top prospects still have a lot of talent and potential, but due to their lack of development, both were had for pennies on the dollar. Hopefully for their current clubs, they can produce any amount of what their potential could have brought the Marlins.

So while the Tigers boast one of the best players in baseball, the Marlins are left with a bunch of relievers. It looks like the Marlins were just trying to forget the trade ever happened.