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.
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.
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
2005 finish: 67-95, 6th place in NL Central
Manager: Jim Tracy (1st season)
Free agents: RHP Jose Mesa, 1B Daryle Ward, RHP Rick White, RHP Brian Meadows
On the block: RHP Kip Wells, RHP Josh Fogg, LHP Mark Redman, OF Craig Wilson, LHP John Grabow, one of the young left-handed starting pitchers
Looking for: Middle-of-the-lineup hitter, likely at third base or right field, right-handed reliever
What’s going on: Few teams have as much young left-handed pitching as the Pirates — Zach Duke, Oliver Perez, Paul Maholm, Dave Williams and Sean Burnett. That could help them bring some much-needed offense, especially at third base and/or right field, which puts Mike Lowell, Kevin Mench and Wily Mo Pena on the radar screen. Kip Wells also could be put into a deal for a power hitter. Jose Mesa’s option wasn’t exercised, and he won’t return. That leaves either Salomon Torres or Mike Gonzalez in the closer role for now. With some concern about Brad Eldred’s high strikeout rate, Daryle Ward could be re-signed, or another bat could be acquired. Mark Redman is expected to exercise his player option, giving the Pirates yet another left-hander, or possibly making him trade bait. Tracy has brought bench coach Jim Lett, first-base coach John Shelby and pitching coach Jim Colborn with him from his Dodgers staff. Tike Redman and Ty Wigginton don’t figure to be in the plans, and could be non-tendered.
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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 |
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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.
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.
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