Silva: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for NFC teams.
SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?
Ryan Callahan scored for the fifth time in four days and defenseman Ryan McDonagh snapped a second-period tie to lift the New York Rangers to a 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals on Sunday.
Kobe Bryant hit a baseline jump shot with 4.2 seconds left and the Los Angeles Lakers wrapped up a six-game road trip by holding on to beat the Raptors 94-92 on Sunday, their eighth victory in nine meetings with Toronto
Arc's five up, five down: After No. 11 Michigan State's 58-48 upset of No. 3 Ohio State, you'd be a fool to discount the Spartans' national title chances now.
Miami coach Al Golden says the worst is behind him, but his headaches figure to continue now that former booster Nevin Shapiro, now in jail, says his involvement with the Hurricanes program will result in stiff penalties.
Eleven shots separated Phil and Tiger Sunday at Pebble Beach as Lefty secured his 40th Tour win. Jason Sobel had hole-by-hole reports.
The United States completed a 5-0 rout of Switzerland in the Davis Cup on Sunday, with 19-year-old Ryan Harrison and John Isner winning closing singles matches.
Zambia has won the African Cup of Nations, beating pre-tournament favorite Ivory Coast 8-7 on penalties in a dramatic final at Stade de l'Amitie.
Tessa Worley of France fought off gusting winds to win a second consecutive World Cup giant slalom Sunday in the Andorran Pyrenees. Overall leader Lindsey Vonn was more than a second behind and finished eighth.
Robins: It’s the Year of the Dragon on the Lunar calendar, and this Chinese influence could extend to it also being the year of the Pekingese on the green carpet at the 136th Westminster Dog Show on Tuesday.
APQ: How do you rate the Dodgers’ moves this offseason? Are they still thinking of getting rid of Brad Penny for a ‘big bat’? If so, who would that ‘big bat’ be?
— Mark Mozilo, Pasadena, Calif.
A: It’s been an up-and-down winter for general manager Ned Colletti, and as you mention, Mark, one big task remains — adding another middle-of-the-order hitter. At present, the lineup looks like this — SS Rafael Furcal, CF Juan Pierre, 1B Nomar Garciaparra, 2B Jeff Kent, LF Luis Gonzalez, RF Andre Ethier, 3B Wilson Betemit, C Russell Martin. Not bad, but there is too much age and injury risk in the No. 3-4-5 spots, as all three are past their primes and can’t be counted on for much more than 20 homers or 90 RBI. The Dodgers looked into a Manny Ramirez deal, but wisely backed off. Now that Vernon Wells is locked up long-term in Toronto, Andruw Jones is the name that pops out for me. He will be a free agent after the 2007 season, when the Braves won’t be able to afford him.
I’m already on record as saying the Juan Pierre signing was a bad one. Forty-four million is way too much for a singles hitter with a low on-base percentage and weak arm — although I was around Pierre during his Colorado days, and everything you hear about his positive clubhouse presence and outstanding work ethic is true.
The big coup was stealing Jason Schmidt from the rival Giants, and they got it done with a three-year deal rather than the insane five-to-seven-year contracts thrown around this winter. They couldn’t keep Greg Maddux, but did capitalize on Randy Wolf’s desire to pitch close to home and got him for one guaranteed year and a vesting option for 2008 — another low-risk commitment from a good pitcher. Penny could be spared from a rotation that currently projects as Schmidt, Derek Lowe, Penny, Wolf and Hong-Chih-Kuo, but if I’m the Dodgers, I try to keep Penny and make a deal with prospects.
I’m also OK with them passing on Eric Gagne’s asking price, as they have Takashi Saito and Jonathan Broxton, and the catching situation is among the best in the game with Mike Lieberthal backing up Martin, an emerging star.
Q: Tony, can you please evaluate the Detroit Tigers for the 2007 season? Any chance they could possibly win it all?
— Steve T. Sobel, Farmington, Mich.
A: It’s always harder to stay on top than to get there, Steve, and the Tigers do face the limitation of being heavily out-spent by both the Yankees and the Red Sox. So those factors will make winning it all a tough proposition. It’s also hard to project the same type of seasons (and good health) from veterans such as Kenny Rogers, Todd Jones, Magglio Ordonez and Ivan Rodriguez.
All that said, I think Gary Sheffield’s presence makes their offense better, I liked the re-signing of Sean Casey and the long-term deals for Brandon Inge and Jeremy Bonderman, and it is reasonable to expect some improvement and maturation from the young core of outstanding arms. The only loss of significance was left-handed setup man Jamie Walker, but they have tradable parts in Marcus Thames, one of the backup infielders and prospects to fill that hole.
The other factor to consider is that top AL Central competitors in Chicago and Minnesota have had poor winters, and appear to be weaker than last season. The Indians, however, have upgraded their bullpen, and could present a challenge. I see the Tigers in the playoff hunt again in 2007, but things will have to break their way.
Q: Aubrey Huff has not signed with anybody. Do you think the Astros will pick him back up?
— Joseph Hernandez, Houston
A: I don’t see Huff going back to the Astros unless his price comes down considerably. The Astros didn’t offer him salary arbitration, and have balked at Huff’s desire for a multi-year deal in the $7-million-per-year range. Instead, they seem intent on going with Mike Lamb and Morgan Ensberg in a third-base platoon, and the combination of Luke Scott and Jason Lane in right field — two spots they used Huff in last season.
Two possible landing places for the 30-year-old Huff are Baltimore and Pittsburgh. Both need an every-day power bat at first base or right field, and the Pirates need a left-handed bat in particular. At a lower price, a handful of more options could open up for him, but likely in situations where he wouldn’t necessarily be an every-day player.
Q: With the near-certainty that Pat Burrell’s days in Philly are over, where do you think he will wind up? If Burrell is traded, are there any ideas as to who Pat Gillick will go after to hit behind Ryan Howard?
— Yariv, New Jersey
A: I’m not so certain about Burrell going anywhere, Yariv. The $27 million remaining on his deal through 2008 has made it all but impossible to move him. Then there is the complete no-trade clause in his contract, and Burrell’s expressed desire to remain in Philly. So it appears as if he will be back in left field next season. The Phillies are hoping that rest will help his injured foot, because as you mention, Ryan Howard needs better protection. Down the stretch last season, manager Charlie Manuel even hit 40-year-old Jeff Conine in the spot behind Howard. One thing that could change Burrell’s mind about staying put in Philly is an escalation of fan dissatisfaction with him. Not that Philly fans are known for that kind of thing.
SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?
DeMarco: Plug in a well-heeled ownership group and negotiate one of those mega-bucks TV deals that are going around, and the Dodgers could become the west coast version of the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox.
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Zambia has won the African Cup of Nations, beating pre-tournament favorite Ivory Coast 8-7 on penalties in a dramatic final at Stade de l'Amitie.
Wesseling: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for AFC teams.
After leading by 18 points in the first half, the Los Angeles Lakers were staring at a four-point deficit with less than two minutes to play.