Truth & Rumors: Nov. 12, 2004

MLB

The Twins are expected to sign their Cy Young winner to a long-term deal. Exra Shaw/Getty Images • Pete McEntegart: The 10 Spot -- Fri., Nov. 12 • Truth & Rumors: Do T'Wolves want Artest? • Jon Wertheim: Russian women rule tennis • Stephen Cannella: Boras needs to alter view • Richard Deitsch: NFL audibles on Monday night • More Blogs: Elliott | Bradley | Markazi | Mannix Click here for Today's Sign of the Apocalypse, Game to Watch, Leading Off gallery and much more!

Cy Young winner Johan Santana, eligible for free agency after the 2006 season, means more to the Twins than any player since Kirby Puckett. GM Terry Ryan will lock him up with a long-term deal before those vultures from New York and Boston swoop in.
 -- St. Paul Pioneer Press

At exactly 12:01 this morning, checkbooks opened around MLB, as teams were officially allowed to start talking dollars with any free agent. And already there are signs of a potential Mets-Yankees bidding war involving the biggest free agent of all -- Carlos Beltran.
 -- New York Post

Agent Scott Boras hopes teams will not assume Beltran is on his way to the Yankees. The Cubs, Dodgers and Angels are among the other teams expected to join the pursuit.
  -- Chicago Tribune

If baseball is lucky, the Yankees will fixate on Beltran, sign him for between $150 and $200 million and find out, too late, that he is exactly the player they don't need -- a flashy five-tool switch-hitting center fielder coming off a spectacular October hot streak who, in cold statistical reality, is as good an offensive player as Boston journeyman Kevin Millar.
 -- Washington Post

The Yankees would be willing to pay the 27-year-old Beltran about $13 million a year, which is short of the $20 million Boras will most likely seek.
 -- New York Times

The Phillies are considering making a proposal to Beltran and discussed two other Boras clients, pitchers Derek Lowe and Ron Villone.
 -- Philadelphia Inquirer

Lowe seems destined to sign elsewhere, with the Orioles, Phillies, and Dodgers among his potential suitors.
 -- Boston Globe

The Mets told Boras they were interested in several of his other players, J.D. Drew and Magglio Ordoņez likely among them.
 -- New York Daily News

The Mets and Cubs held a second meeting as they attempted to overcome the significant monetary obstacles to a trade involving Sammy Sosa for Cliff Floyd. The Mets also spoke with the Rangers about Alfonso Soriano and were expected to continue discussions with the Dodgers regarding a potential trade involving Shawn Green for Mike Piazza.
 -- Newark Star-Ledger

The Mets have no interest in trading young shortstop Jose Reyes for Soriano.
 -- New York Times

Dodgers GM Paul DePodesta said the chances of acquiring Piazza were minimal.
  -- Los Angeles Times

Arizona hadn't yet decided whether it will trade Randy Johnson, so the Yankees will move quickly to make a three-year offer to left-hander Eric Milton for between $21 million and $25 million.
 -- Newark Star-Ledger

These things have a way of changing quickly, though, especially since the Big Unit still wants out of Arizona in a big way.
 -- New York Post

The White Sox were bidding for Johnson before the trade deadline last season. It is not known what they were offering then, but now they're prepared to build a trade around first baseman Paul Konerko.
 -- Chicago Tribune

The Yankees are listening to teams interested in starter Javier Vazquez and catcher Jorge Posada, two of the high-priced veterans whose contracts don't include no-trade clauses.
 -- Newark Star-Ledger

When Braves GM John Schuerholz and Yankees GM Brian Cashman were seen chatting for 20 minutes, the Kevin Brown speculation picked up steam.
 -- Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Yankees and Phillies continued to have discussions about Brown.
 -- New York Times

The market of interested suitors in Pedro Martinez is not that huge, with the Yankees shopping primarily to raise the former Cy Young Award winner's asking price. St. Louis and Anaheim have also shown interest. Martinez had not accepted the Red Sox's two-year offer worth $25.5 million that included a third year at $13 million.
 -- Boston Herald

Carl Pavano was once known as the pitcher the Red Sox traded to get Pedro Martinez. Seven years later, as Pavano prepares to leave the Marlins for bigger free-agent dollars, their names are being linked again. Might the Marlins, as a Boston radio station reported, get Martinez to replace Pavano? "I wouldn't go crazy with that," a high-ranking Marlins official said.
 -- Palm Beach Post

The Dodgers and Angels are certain to aggressively pursue starting pitchers from a group headed by Pavano, Martinez, Matt Clement, Milton, Brad Radke and Jon Lieber.
 -- Los Angeles Times

The Phillies could probably have both Cory Lidle and David Wells for less than the price of one Milton, Pavano, Radke or Russ Ortiz, all of whom the Phils have contacted but all of whom would require deals of at least three years worth at least $10 million a year.
 -- Philadelphia Daily News

The Phils will make an offer to Steve Finley, who prefers to play on the West Coast. The Giants are considering bidding for Finley. That could mean the Giants would deal center fielder Marquis Grissom. The Phillies would definitely have interest in Grissom.
 -- Philadelphia Inquirer

Baltimore has targeted Pavano and Ordoņez. At first base, they hope to lure either Carlos Delgado or Richie Sexson. Baltimore has also discussed Moises Alou.
 -- Washington Post

The Mariners are targeting Delgado, and Sexson also longs to play in Seattle. At third base, Troy Glaus remains a viable candidate.
 -- Seattle Times

The Rangers might be in the mix for Ordonez. Or more likely somebody like Jermaine Dye.
  -- Dallas Morning News

Don't look for the Red Sox to acquiesce with Boras' request for a no-trade clause for free-agent catcher Jason Varitek. If Boston gives that to Varitek, no-trade clauses also kick in for Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz and Trot Nixon.
  -- New York Post

The Red Sox are interested in Glaus, especially if they fail to sign Varitek and have to replace him with a catcher with less offensive punch.
 -- Boston Herald

It's possible Washington GM Jim Bowden could bring in shortstop Barry Larkin as a mentor for rookie Maicer Izturis. But Larkin can't play every day. Bowden could make a run at Alex Gonzalez of San Diego. It's also possible Bowden could look beyond Tony Batista and pursue one of the third basemen on the market -- possibly Minnesota's Corey Koskie -- or make a trade.
 -- Washington Post

Devil Rays GM Chuck LaMar would "love to sign at least one starting pitcher and at least one hitter." Consider free agents such as pitchers Jaret Wright and Esteban Loaiza, outfielder Jeromy Burnitz and infielder Todd Walker. What if the Rays will make a deal with the Rockies for catcher Charles Johnson, or bring in Larkin to help mentor their younger players?
 -- St. Petersburg Times

The White Sox are expected to make a quick strike by signing Indians shortstop Omar Vizquel. The Giants have been showing interest in Vizquel, but won't match the Sox' offer.
  -- Chicago Sun Times

Los Angeles and Arizona are among the teams who could entice Colorado's Vinny Castilla.
 -- Denver Post

Jeff Kent received a contract offer to remain with the Astros.
 -- Houston Chronicle

NFL

Asked directly whether GM Rick Spielman could be let go if the candidate for Dolphins coach or president is uncomfortable with Spielman, outgoing president Eddie Jones said that was the case. The only person who will make the decision on the next president and coach will be (owner Wayne) Huizenga,'' Jones said. On Wednesday, Spielman said he had been given assurances by Huizenga directly that he will be with the team for the 2005 season.
 -- Miami Herald

Speculation about a new head coach has centered around Nick Saban (LSU), Pete Carroll (USC), Bob Stoops (Oklahoma), Kirk Ferentz (Iowa), Jeff Tedford (California), Charlie Weis (Patriots), Brad Childress (Eagles) and Jim Fassel (Ravens).
  -- Palm Beach Post

Saints coach Jim Haslett on his future with the NFL team: "I'm not blind to the fact that things happen in this business. Coaches get fired because they're not winning. Coaches get fired because fans don't come to games. I'm not worried. Whatever happens, happens." Haslett still has $6.7 million owed to him after this season.
 -- Washington Times

The Panthers are considering putting running back Stephen Davis on injured reserve, ending his season.
 -- Charlotte Observer

Bucs safety Jermaine Phillips agreed to a four-year, $9-million contract extension with a $1-million signing bonus. Fellow safety Dwight Smith appears set to enter the free agent market at the end of the season.
 -- St. Petersburg Times

The Bucs also have renegotiated fullback Mike Alstott's contract, extending his deal through the 2008 season, but the deal makes it unlikely the Bucs could afford him beyond next season.
 -- Tampa Tribune

A couple of months from now, the Colts won't have Mike Vanderjagt to kick around anymore, having brought in a new contestant -- Jason Baker -- to do the honors this weekend.
 -- Indianapolis Star

Linebacker Junior Seau says he plans to return for a 16th NFL season next year.
 -- San Diego Union Tribune

Vikings owner Red McCombs has given up trying to get Minnesota state legislators to build him a stadium and has decided to sell the team.
 -- Philadelphia Daily News

Add the Bills to the short list of teams being mentioned as relocation candidates for Los Angeles. They join the Vikings and the Saints. Scratch the Colts, who are close to a deal with the city of Indianapolis for a retractable-roof stadium.
 -- Philadelphia Daily News

NBA

Dennis Rodman will have a news conference Tuesday announcing he will play for the ABA Orange County Crush. His agent Darren Prince also has had preliminary talks about Rodman with Denver and the New York Knicks. "He's definitely ready now (for the NBA)," Prince said.
 -- Denver Post

After talking with Bulls GM John Paxson, center Eddy Curry and his agents have agreed with Paxson that there will be no more requests by Curry to be traded and that the Bulls will not seek to trade him this season.
 -- Chicago Sun-Times

Denver, Phoenix, Minnesota, Memphis, the Lakers and the Knicks called Bulls GM Paxson about Curry. But names like Denver's Nikoloz Tskitishvili, Minnesota's Michael Olowokandi and Wally Szczerbiak, Phoenix's Bo Outlaw and the Knicks' Nazr Mohammed did little to make Paxson's heart race, which means this issue will be an ongoing one.
 -- Chicago Tribune

The chances of getting a rising star in return for Curry are slim, based on the underwhelming offers the Bulls have heard in the past. If a team is willing to take Antonio Davis with Curry in exchange for expiring contracts, however, Paxson will listen.
 -- Daily Herald

Szczerbiak is someone in whom the Bulls long have been interested, though one figures Indiana has to be talking to Minnesota about swapping him for Ron Artest. Perhaps Indiana could be involved in a three-way deal, including New York, with Kurt Thomas going to Minnesota. Regarding Curry, there are teams that need a center desperately, such as Memphis and Phoenix.
 -- Chicago Tribune

The Kings might be more apt to trade Peja Stojakovic for Artest than for Curry. At least Artest, when right, is the best defensive player in the league.
 -- Chicago Sun-Times

Even if Curry wants out, Tyson Chandler is willing to deal with whatever is in store for Year 7 of rebuilding.
 -- Daily Herald

The Bulls have had discussions about signing ex-Knicks forward Shandon Anderson.
 -- Chicago Tribune

According to his agent, 6-9 free agent swingman Eddie Robinson agreed to terms yesterday with the Knicks on a one-year deal, pending his physical this morning. If Robinson excels in practice, Tim Thomas could become expendable in a trade.
 -- New York Post

Knicks president Isiah Thomas' childhood friend and former Pistons teammate Mark Aguirre was asked whether he thought he was the next in line to coach the Knicks if Lenny Wilkens gets fired this season. "I'm not going to be the New York Knicks head coach, not at all," he said.
 -- Newark Star-Ledger

While the Sixers have made it clear Glenn Robinson is on the trading block, they don't seem inclined to simply give him away. GM Billy King sees no reason to release Robinson, meaning the Sixers would still be burdened with his $12 million contract while he would be free to sign elsewhere.
 -- Trenton Times

Injured rookie center/forward Arthur Johnson may be let go if the Nuggets signs guard Troy Bell.
 -- Detroit Free Press

NHL

In locking out their players, NHL owners claimed losses of $224 million for last season. Skeptical about claims of owner poverty, the players offered a 5 percent salary rollback and other concessions that would reduce average team payrolls by $4 million. Teams are indeed losing money but not nearly as much as the owners claim. The 30 teams lost a combined $96 million (before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) on revenue of $2.2 billion during the 2003-04 season, with 17 teams posting a loss. The prior season the NHL lost $123 million on revenue of $2.1 billion.
  -- Forbes Magazine

NHL chief legal officer Bill Daly said, "Forbes is once again pulling numbers out of thin air. I would suggest that they would have been far better advised to read the [NHL-sponsored] Levitt Report, as its author had complete and unfettered access to all 30 of our clubs' financial information."
 -- Minneapolis Star Tribune

Neither the NHL nor former Securities & Exchange Commission Chairman Arthur Levitt Jr., who compiled a report on the league's finances for the owners, would speak with Forbes.
 -- Forbes Magazine

NHL veteran Vincent Damphousse says hockey legend Jean Beliveau was wrong to blame the players for the league's financial woes. "It's not the players who put hockey in trouble. The owners say that themselves. They're the ones who made bad decisions and who lacked discipline."
 -- La Presse

Devils goalie Martin Brodeur said Beliveau "works for the Canadiens, so it's kind of hard for him to side with the players on this."
 -- Montreal Gazette

Pittsburgh's Mark Recchi has agreed to play with TPS Turku of the Finnish League in the event that the NHL season is canceled. The move would reunite Recchi with former Canadiens linemate Saku Koivu.
  -- TSN.ca

Senators winger Marian Hossa left his hometown team in Trencin, Slovakia, to suit up with brother Marcel in Mora, Sweden.
 -- Ottawa Sun

Soccer

Manchester United and Arsenal have been told by the Football Association that they will have to move their proposed "peace summit" forward to before their Carling Cup quarterfinal, to make sure the Dec. 1 match does not suffer any of the angry clashes that blighted last month's infamous battle of the Old Trafford tunnel.
 -- The Daily Telegraph (UK)

United's board plans to hold talks with the club's major shareholders to end speculation about its future. Chairman Sir Roy Gardner made the pledge at the club's Annual General Meeting, admitting that the interest from Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner Michael Glazer had resulted in a challenging time for the board. He added that the club shared the fans' passion but would not condone any criminal actions in protests against the speculation over any possible takeovers.
 -- Manchester Evening News

Former Chelsea and Manchester United goalkeeper Mark Bosnich, whose career was ruined after he tested positive for cocaine, claims, "I know for a fact that there are professional gangs using beautiful women to target footballers (by getting them to use cocaine). These people are hanging round all the time looking for blackmail victims."
 -- The Guardian (UK)