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.
Golf's dream pairing - Woods and Mickelson - is on the course in the final round at Pebble Beach. Jason Sobel has 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.
Euro Roundup: First-place Manchester City won 1-0 at Aston Villa on Sunday on Joleon Lescott's goal in the 63rd minute, maintaining its two-point lead over Manchester United in the Premier League.
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.
With the All-Star Game behind us and the second half in front of us, an early look at the MLB trade market:
Pitchers
Roy Halladay — SP, Blue Jays
He can have every bit the impact (and maybe more) that CC Sabathia did last season. Halladay is a workhorse and Toronto is ready to make a deal, if the price is right.
Jarrod Washburn — SP, Mariners
Teammate Erik Bedard, a fellow lefty, is more coveted, but his shoulder problems cloud his trade appeal. On the fringe of contention, Seattle faces a tough decision whether to buy or sell.
Doug Davis — SP, Diamondbacks
The veteran lefthander has pitched much better than his 4-9 record indicates, and he is in the last year of his contract for a team going nowhere.
George Sherrill — RP, Orioles
He has been so good (and inexpensive) that Baltimore might try to keep him and instead peddle Danys Baez, who has closer experience.
Cla Meredith — RP, Padres
San Diego is looking to sell, and this steady sidearmer would fill a need many contenders have: bullpen help.
Brad Penny — SP, Red Sox
Penny's recent production (3.79 ERA since May 1) and teammate Daisuke Matsuzaka's injury and inconsistency issues will make Penny tougher to pry away.
Hitters
Aubrey Huff — 1B, Orioles
The veteran carries a solid bat and can also play outfield. A fringe prospect should be enough for Baltimore to unload what remains of Huff's $8 million salary.
Nick Johnson — 1B, Nationals
The slick fielder is hitting .305 with a .413 on-base percentage. Johnson is expendable because of Washington's surplus of corner outfielder-first baseman types.
Mark Teahen — 3B, Royals
Versatility and a decent bat make him a good fit for clubs that once were considering Mark DeRosa.
Freddy Sanchez — 2B, Pirates
Sanchez is a former N.L. batting champion who can play second base, third base and shortstop. He and double-play partner Jack Wilson are in play, as both appear headed for contract buyouts (and free agency) after this season.
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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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.
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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.
