The A's Sign Yoenis Cespedes?

I put a question mark in the headline because this is by far the biggest stunner of the MLB offseason. The Oakland A's signed Cuban outfield/defector Yoenis Cespedes to a 4-year, $36 million dollar contract this morning.

This move is a stunner because Cespedes was pretty much linked to every team in baseball except the A's. The Florida Miami Marlins especially took a big run at Cespedes and many people were pretty much under the impression that Cespedes would eventually sign with Florida Miami.

The A's take a big risk here. Cespedes claims to be 26-years old, but with all these players from the Caribbean countries we don't know if that's accurate or not. Then there's the money issue. There's not a chance in hell the A's are going to stash away Cespedes in the minors for a year and pay him $9 million dollars. Cespedes will be expected to play right away and perform at a high level.

Then there's the fact the A's basically traded away their entire rotation during the offseason. Grant Brisbee of Baseball Nation takes a look at the project A's rotation this season:

The rotation for the A's:

Brandon McCarthy
Bartolo Colon
Brad Peacock
Tom Milone
Jarrod Parker

McCarthy and Colon are health risks, but they're quality pitchers. Peacock and Parker are top prospects who'll have the kind of safety net that only 48 acres of foul territory can provide. And Milone's superlative command might be the perfect experiment for the A's in the Oakland Coliseum. It's an interesting bunch, and that's leaving off Brett Anderson and Dallas Braden, both of whom are expected back at some point this season.

Yes the A's projected rotation right now features rookies, a pitcher who can't stay healthy, and Bartolo Colon. Plus they're expecting two other injury prone starters to return.

I have no idea what's in store this year for the A's but they have certainly made themselves interesting. Add on the fact they're still looking at bringing in Manny Ramirez and all of a sudden you have a mediocre team that might be worth a follow on MLB.tv.

"The Fulfillment of Ego" Open Thread

Why yes there will be an open thread for LeDecision's press conference. And yes I and others will be mocking James, Cleveland, Miami, and New York in the process. So feel free to join us in this ESPN induced spectacle.

My Pick, Cleveland: LeBron has come off narcissistic lately that pretty much everyone has turned on him. That's why I'm going with Cleveland. He seems like he's lost complete common sense that he would call a press conference to announce he's re-signing with Cleveland. Multiple sources though he will go to Miami to join Wade and Bosh. New York isn't without hope. If LeBron doesn't choose Cleveland it will be more of a stab in the back then the time Hulk Hogan turned heel and started calling himself Hollywood Hogan.

Leave comments, don't be a troll, and be here by 9PM ET/6PM PT.

Update: It's official, LeBron kicks Cleveland in the groin and chooses the Miami Heat over the Cleveland Cavaliers. I expect Cleveland is burning tonight and it's not the river.

NBA Free Agency Update: Bosh/Wade to Miami, LeBron to Announce Decision Tomorrow

I woke up this morning to the news that both Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade will sign with the Miami Heat. According to Woj, both Wade and Bosh believe LeBron has a real chance to join them in Miami. The Heat also have the cap room to trade for a point guard such as Andre Miller from the Portland Trailblazers.

Meanwhile LeBron James has the audacity to call an hour long press conference that of course ESPN will show. LBJ claims it's for charity. Yes, he's calling an hour long press conference for charity. Whatever. This spectacle might be for charity but he's definitely doing it for the publicity. A-Rod declaring himself a free agent before the World Series thinks LeBron is starving for attention.

Jason Whitlock asked an interesting question on Twitter a week ago. "If LeBron went to college and was recruited by multiple teams, would he be going through with this spectacle?" My answer: no. Take Kevin Durant for example. Durant announced today that he signed a five-year extension with Oklahoma City. Durant was recruited out of high school. He doesn't feel the need to go through an whole ordeal like LeBron. Then again Kevin Durant is probably the most humble superstar anyone will ever meet. Let's hope he doesn't change because he is somebody everyone can root for.

Meanwhile like the rest of the American sports fans, I'll be watching LeBron's press conference tomorrow night on ESPN at 6 PM PT.

(Picture courtesy of The Basketball Jones)

NBA Free Agency Links/Open Thread, Day 2

Ashley Greene to finish off the day. Be sure to leave your thoughts here about NBA/NHL free agency.

This could turn ugly in a hurry for the Knicks (NY Post)

Rockets looking for trade options (YahooSports)

Nets meeting went "well" with LeBron. (NJ.com)

LeBron James to Miami is tantalizing--If true (Miami Herald)

Bulls need to set court with Chris Bosh, which could lure LeBron (Chicago Sun-Times)

For LeBron, there is no easy exit strategy out of Cleveland (Cleveland.com)

Rockets GM D Morey pitched the Rockets to Chris Bosh “using a personalized Chris Bosh iPad as part of his presentation.” (NBA.com)

Without LeBron, Cleveland would channel Orlando's pain (Fanhouse)

Report: Paul Pierce re-signs with the Celtics (ESPN Boston)

Rudy Gay better be worth the $80 million Memphis signed him for (Commercial Appeal)

NBA Free Agency, Day 1 Links/Open Thread

Use this thread to discuss NBA free agency or even the NHL free agency. Discuss who your team should pursue in free agency and who they shouldn't pursue. For now here's a picture of Miranda Kerr (That's for you kt1000) and some free agency links to get us by. I'll update the thread with you signs where and other news.

LeBron James decision expected by Monday (Chicago Sun-Times)

Worst NBA Contracts today (Canis Hoops)

Q&A: Where will the top free agents land (ESPN.com)

Knicks' biggest game? Landing LeBron (ESPN New York)

Chicago is ready for a new king (ESPN Chicago)

Pros and cons of free-agent destinations (SI)

New Jersey plans on making a King offer (Yahoo Sports)

Update 1: For some reason the Milwaukee Bucks signed Drew Gooden to a 5-year contract. This move makes little sense because the Bucks drafted two forwards. It makes even less sense because Gooden has been on 8 teams in 8 years and has never been a great player.

Update 2: The Minnesota Timberwolves re-signed Darko Milicic to a 4 year, $20 million dollar contract. Yep, that Darko. No wonder everyone makes fun of Minnesota GM David Kahn. What an idiotic move.

Coach K to the............New Jersey Nets?

I wouldn't laugh at the headline, because that could actually happen. The Nyets new Russian billionaire owner Mikhail Prokhorov wants a big name coaching his team and that big name could be Mike Krzyzewski.

According to Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski, Prokhorov would hire USA basketball director of operations Jerry Colangelo who then would lure coach K to the Nyets. Coach K of course coached team USA and knows Colangelo and the USA team basketball players, many of whom will be free agents after the season ends.

That's why Coach K to the Nyets actually makes sense. The Nyets have a billionaire owner and they have tons of cap space. "With the Nets flushed with as much as $27 million in cap space, with several of Colangelo’s and Krzyzewski’s Team USA stars –LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh- available in free agency this summer, this would be a move that could trigger the most startling overnight transformation a professional sports franchise has ever seen."

Dream scenario for the Nyets would involve hiring Colangelo and Coach K, receiving the number 1 draft choice in the lottery, draft John Wall, and then sign James and Bosh. That would give the Nyets a starting lineup of Wall, LeBron, Bosh, Chris Douglas-Roberts, and Brook Lopez. Not bad for a starting lineup. This team could easily win 60 games and be a major contender for a NBA title.

Of course Coach K would be leaving Duke after almost 30 years at that school and leave for the NBA where college coaches haven't been successful. I think it would be a long shot for Coach K to leave Duke. On the other hand though, Coach K has been out-recruited by Roy Williams and North Carolina. While UNC has had a down year this season, that won't last long and it's all up to Coach K and if he wants to be beat up by UNC and the rest of the ACC.

Either way the summer of 2010 in the NBA is shaping up to be epic. I more interested in the NBA offseason, than I am in the actual season.

From Russia, with Love: Nets eye Coach K (Yahoo Sports)

The Links

Carli Banks to start off your work week.... the future of Joe Mauer.... Bernard Madoff to learn his fate later today.... Michael Jackson's family members turn out to his BET tribute.... 'Transformers 2' made a lot of money this weekend.... Cellphone/video game hybrid.... Congrats to Joey Lagano

Chris Cooley blew up a cow (The Cooley Zone)

Free Agency in hockey is about to start, and today we look at the goaltenders (From the Rink)

A look inside the NFL broadcasting boot camp (Awful Announcing)

Evgeni Malkin's girlfriend is quite the looker (Big League Screw)

William 'The Fridge' Perry's tough road to recovery (Charlotte Observer)

Roger Maris deserves another look at the baseball hall of fame (SF Chronicle)

Trent Green filled in for Peter King's Monday Mourning Quarterback (SI)

Bobby Lashley beat Bob Sapp over the weekend (Camel Clutch Blog) video below

Memorialize Michael Jackson by getting ink (Ugliest Tattoos)

A look at the traditions in baseball stadiums (The Big Picture)

T.O. Signs With The Bills

Well that was quick. T.O. signed a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills worth $6.5 million.

Now the only question remain is, when will T.O. call Tent Edwards gay? Or when will he throw Trent Edwards under the bus? Or think the tight End and Edwards are plotting behind his back?

This could be a perfect situation for T.O. He is going to a team where he would be the top receiver. Also he is going to a small market where the media doesn't have as big of grasp.

Or it could all blow up in their faces like it did for Philadelphia and Dallas.

This should be a great drama. I can't wait to see it. And wait till next year when he is a free agent again.

Bills agree to one-year deal with Owens for $6.5 million (NFL.com)

Warner Used The 49ers

It is being reported that Kurt Warner has signed a two-year deal with the Cardinals worth $23 million and $16 million guaranteed.

Under the terms of the deal, Warner will receive a $15 million signing bonus and $4 million base in each of the two seasons.

"Kurt and I are appreciative of the way the [team GM] Rod Graves and the Cardinals resolved the negotiations," said Warner's agent, Mark Bartelstein.

The negotiations ran all Tuesday evening and early Wednesday morning. One of the big breakthroughs came Tuesday when Warner, who had been asking for $14 million to $16 million a year, reduced his asking price to $11.5 million a year, as long as there were substantial guarantees in 2010.

He was also willing to take $1 million less a season if the team successfully satisfied the contract extension demands of wide receiver Anquan Boldin.

Kurt Warner though visited with the Niners on Monday.

On Monday, Warner flew by private plane to San Francisco to visit the San Francisco 49ers, who outlined the parameters of a contract that would be for more money and more guarantees than the Cardinals were willing to offer. Though the 49ers offer was not firm, Warner knew he could come close to his idea of being paid like a top-five quarterback, which, in his view, is the $14 million to $16 million range.

So in effect, Warner used and abused the 49ers to get what he wanted in Arizona. While I never wanted Warner to begin with, it's not cool to use another team to get what you want.

Look I know athletes use teams to get leverage from other teams. But I don't expect it to come from a bible-thumping, do-gooder, like Warner. I thought he was what is suppose to be good in the league. In the end, though he is just as greedy as every athlete out there.

Warner is going to regret, turning his back on the San Fransisco 49ers.

BREAKING NEWS: Manny Ramirez Has Finally Signed With The Dodgers

(It's fitting that AIG sponsors the Dodgers. Because they will need a bailout once Ramirez goes sour on them)


According to ESPN, Manny Ramirez has finally signed a contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

After multiple failed attempts, Ramirez and the Dodgers agreed to a two-year, $45 million deal on Tuesday.

The Dodgers announced last week that agent Scott Boras had declined the team's fourth offer to the star outfielder -- a one-year, $25 million contract with a $20 million player option for 2010.

All I have to say, it's about time. You talk about a drama that I was tired of, it was this one. Now the crappy Dodger fans have a reason to show up to their crappy stadium.

I am just wondering if Vegas has odds as to when Manny will go Manny and decides he doesn't want to play anymore.

The Links

Albert Haynesworth signed a $100-million deal with the Redskins... Then the skins turned around and gave DeAngelo Hall $54 million.... Fred Taylor signs with the Patriots.... Tim Clarke beat Tiger Woods... The T.V. networks weep... In honor of the Brady-Bundchen marriage, here is Gisele

- Manny Ramirez rejected another offer from the Dodgers (ESPN)

- Cincinnati honored former coach Bob Huggins last night, and then they went out and beat his current team (Fanhouse)

- Redskins fans have seen this before (Kissing Suzy Kolber)

- Manny Ramirez "can go bleep himself" (Stiles Points)

- The federal government will stop raiding California marijuana dispensaries (SF Chronicle)

- Deferred payments are holding up the Ramirez signing (LA Times)

The Top 10 NFL Free Agents

NFL free agency begins at midnight on Friday. So lets take a look at the top ten free agents this season.

1. Albert Haynesworth, Tennessee Titans: Peter King has already reported that Haynesworth will sign with the Washington Redskins. While there hasn't been an official word yet, I wouldn't be surprised if the Redskins picked him up. Big Albert has been the most dominating defensive lineman the past two years. But there are some serious issues you have to consider with Haynesworth. Remember he has been ticketed for speeding and he had that whole face stomping episode.

2. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Cinncinati Bengals: He is one of the best slot receivers in the game with exceptional hands. T.J. will be a sought after because he really the only proven young receiver in free agency. The Eagles, 49ers, Chargers, Vikings, and Bears all need a receiver and T.J. is the most logical choice.

3. Kurt Warner, Arizona Cardinals: Warner's re-emergence this past season will make him a target for any team in need of a quarterback. His age (37) and durability will be a question, his play last season will squash those questions.

4. Bart Scott, Baltimore Ravens: Scott is versatile enough to play both middle-linebacker or weak-side linebacker. His skills and instinct make him one of the best linebackers in the league.

5. Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens: Lewis has not lost one step in his game and because of that he will not take a home town discount from the Ravens. I do expect him to sign with the Dallas Cowboys.

6. Khalif Barnes, Jacksonville Jaguars: He is a left tackle, which automatically makes him a top free agent. He only has four pro years on his body so there is only room to improve.

7. Chris Canty, Dallas Cowboys: Canty is an ideal end for the 3-4 defense. With more teams switching to this style of defense Canty will be a hot prospect. He is great at stopping the run and rushing the quarterback.

8. Antonio Smith, Arizona Cardinals: Smith has the ability to play in both a 3-4/4-3 defense. His stock really rose during the playoffs this year.

9. Jon Stinchcomb, New Orleans Saints: He has started 48 consecutive games which proves his durability. Left tackles will always make a lot of money because teams want to protect their quarterback's blind side.

10. Derrick Ward, New York Giants: He rushed for 1,000 yards while splitting time with Brandon Jacobs. Ward has the rare ability to run inside, or have a burst to the outside.

Remember free agency starts at midnight on Friday.