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.
 |
2005 finish: 80-82, 3rd place in AL East
Manager: John Gibbons (3rd season)
Free agents: None
On the block: IF Eric Hinske, 2B Orlando Hudson
Looking for: Starting pitcher, corner outfielder or infielder, reliever, backup catcher
Incoming: IF John McDonald
What’s going on: The Jays could be major players this winter, as the payroll can jump from the mid-$50-million range up to the mid-$80s thanks to a huge cash outlay from owner Ted Rogers. That will put the Jays in the A.J. Burnett hunt – he already has visited the city — as well as any other top free agent they desire. Adding a Burnett or Kevin Millwood to Roy Halladay, Ted Lilly, Josh Towers and Gustavo Chacin would set up a very solid rotation, or they could add a closer such as B.J. Ryan and move Miguel Batista back to the rotation. They also need at least one more power bat — two if possible — either at a corner outfield or infield spot, with a deal for Kevin Mench a possibility. Arbitration-eligible Towers got a two-year, $5.2-million deal. Disappointing Eric Hinske, who never has approached his 2002 Rookie of the Year numbers, could be traded. They also could move defensive whiz Orlando Hudson, clearing the way for the anticipated double-play combination of Aaron Hill and Russ Adams. If J.P. Ricciardi makes all the right moves, this is your most-improved team in the AL.
|
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.
INTERACTIVE |
 |
HardballTalk headlines |
 | Interactive |
 |
 | Slideshow |
 | Unbreakable records in baseball A look at the most unbreakable records in baseball including Nolan Ryan's seven no-hitters. |
| Slideshow |
 | The top tools of baseball You hear a lot about the tools of baseball, but who are the best hitters, fielders and pitchers? We break it down. more photos |
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.
/peacock_7788aa.gif){kind=small}