Deal close to bringing Curtis Granderson to Yankees

Ken Rosenthal is currently reporting the three way talks between the D-Backs, Tigers and Yankees are back on and word is that it is now being left up to the Yankees to sign off on the deal.  Earlier reports had Ian Kennedy and Edwin Jackson in Arizona.  Curtis Granderson was coming to the Yankees and Austin Jackson, Michael Dunn and Phil Coke were headed to Detroit. 

The Yankees did not want to give up that much in the deal.  Talk is now the revised deal will not include Phil Coke and Michael Dunn.  Still waiting to hear further detail on this.  An impending deal is 50/50 says Jon Heyman.

Joel Sherman is now saying the deal is close to the goal line.  Dunn being removed from the deal was key for the Yankees.  Currently it is being reported that medical records are being exchanged.

Update:  Per Jon Heyman this is a done deal; pending medicals work out.

Pending all the medical records check out, here is the deal.

Yankees Get:
Curtis Granderson

Tigers Get:
Austin Jackson
Phil Coke
Max Scherzer (from D-Backs)

D-Backs Get:
Edwin Jackson (from Tigers)
Ian Kennedy

BC-mesS

Okay, I'll be the first to say that I am totally opposed to the non-playoff system that we have in what was once known and still to me known as Division I-A College Football.  I've gotten into many debates about the current system with my good friend and fellow blogger, Charlie Ballard.  I was the biggest Nebraska Cornhusker fan outside of Lincoln, Nebraska this past Saturday night.  I wanted BCS Chaos, that was my goal.  If only that kick sailed a little more to the left.  If only the pass by Colt McCoy  hung up in the air a second longer.  Oh well, none of that happened and Texas pulled out the victory over Nebraska 13-12.  The offenses were anemic, but it was a fun game to watch in my eyes.  I was hanging on every play those last few minutes.  The BCS or as I liked to call it the BCMess, has a championship setup of Alabama and Texas, with the current rules I guess you can say they got that much right.  It would be great to see a team like TCU, Boise State and maybe even Cincinnati get a shot, but it is what it is. 

Today, the day after the announcement of the BCS Bowl games, my biggest problem is where Boise State and TCU find themselves, against each other.  A rematch of last years Poinsettia Bowl which saw TCU defeat Boise State 17-16.  To me you create much more interest pitting these Non-BCS Conference schools against BCS/Major Conference schools.  I think it's an absolute disgrace that they find themselves against each other and we've taken what could have been an exciting matchup like TCU against Florida and killed it.  The biggest intrigue of the smaller conference schools getting to these games is seeing them up against the big boys.  The BCS Busters are a lifetime 3-1 in BCS Bowl games.  Boise State and Utah twice have gone into these BCS Bowl games and beaten the big boys.  Now they simply get to beat on each other, and frankly it won't be as fun and intriguing to watch. 

One more gripe I have, looking at the final BCS Standings, Cincinnati actually leap frogged the Horned Frogs of TCU for the #3 spot in the BCS polls.  That is meaningless now but what if that pass by McCoy hung up there a second longer?  We would have had a Cincinnati/Alabama BCS Title game?  Wow, TCU would have been screaming bloody murder, and rightfully so, as they were 3 in both the Harris and Coaches' Poll one spot ahead of Cincinnati.  Oh how I just wish that pass by McCoy hung up a little longer and let the clock expire on Texas.  Then maybe we could have taken the first step to the clock expiring on the BC-mesS.

Stan Van is the Man.

Last year he guided an Orlando Magic team to the NBA Finals one year early, in the minds of many.  This year he has guided the Orlando Magic to a 14-4 start despite injuries and a suspension to one of his best players in Rashard Lewis. The Magic are first in the East and looking to repeat as Eastern Conference Champions.  Stan Van Gundy was named Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for games played in October and November.

It hasn't been easy for the coach so far this year.  The Magic missed Vince Carter for a handful of games with a sprained ankle.  Rashard Lewis was suspended for 10 games due to the fact that he tested positive for a banned substance last year during the playoffs.  Jameer Nelson has been out since November 16th with a knee injury and may not be back for 2-3 more weeks.   Ryan Anderson and Mickael Pietrus have both missed time as well.  Still, as inconsistent as the Magic's roster and play has been, they have the best record in the Eastern Conference at 14-4 and let's give credit to Van Gundy.  Earlier in the year he questioned Dwight Howard as to why the teams energy and body language was looking down.  Dwight gave an honest answer, he said the negative feedback they were constantly getting from him was a factor.  Stan promised to adjust some, but needless to say, he's done a great job through the first 18 games of the season.  Congrats to the Ron Jeremy look a like, and one of the most underrated and under appreciated coach's in the game.  Stan Van Gundy.

A.J. wants Halladay

A.J. Burnett thinks it's time for his friend and former mentor to get a fresh start, as reported by Mark Feinsand of the NY Daily News. "He's paid his dues there, been the face of the organization, done everything they've asked him to do and more. At this point in his career, I think he just wants to win.  I don't think he would let anything distract him. He's not really the type of person that gets intimidated easily. It doesn't matter where he pitches; he's going to be the same. None of the stuff that goes on here would faze him at all." Burnett said of Halladay. 

Halladay has told the Blue Jays that he is willing to waive his no trade clause in a deal to the Yankees.  It is also being reported that Burnett has given the Blue Jays a deadline to trade him by the start of Spring Training.  If he is not traded by that time, he would not approve a trade after that. 

After CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett the Yankees rotation is a question mark.  It's no given that Andy Pettitte will be back.  He could choose to retire or pitch closer to home again, though the latter doesn't seem very likely.  Chien Ming Wang will be coming back from shoulder surgery.  Joba and Hughes have experienced much success out of the pen, but not much in the rotation.  Other options would include Ian Kennedy and Alfredo Aceves.  Some might say it's over kill, but I think Halladay or another starter could be a necessity for this team if they look to repeat in 2010. 

On the Brink of Futility

I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy, well maybe the Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics, New England Patriots and maybe even the New York Mets.  The New Jersey Nets lost again last night in Sacramento, and are now 0-16 and one loss away from tying the worst winless streak to start the season.  The Clippers back in the 1999 lockout shortened season and the expansion Miami Heat of 1988-1989 season both started 0-17. 

There is talent on this squad, problem is some of it has been hurt for much of this streak to start the season.  They have one of the best young centers in the game in Brook Lopez.  They have an All Star point guard in Devin Harris who has missed 10 games this season.  Courtney Lee who they got from the Orlando Magic in the Vince Carter trade has missed a total of 7 games but when he has played it appears he's still sulking over the trade from Orlando to New Jersey. Yi has only played in four games all year.  Youngsters Chris Douglas-Roberts and Terrance Williams flash some bright spots to the future.  Veteran point guard Rafer Alston has given the team a nice veteran presence to help run things on the floor in the absence of Harris earlier in the seaosn.  With all that being said, it's led to nothing.  No wins.  They also have a date Sunday night with the Lakers at the Staples Center which almost assures them of tying the mark at 0-17 and joining the Clippers and Heat in a category they don't want to be join them in.

This all brings me back to some memories from my own team.  The 2003-2004 Orlando Magic.  Coming off three straight playoff appearances, but unfortunately three straight first round exits, they shook things up a little in the offseason.  The Darrell Armstrong era was over, in came Tyronn Lue with his prior claim for fame being doing a good job guarding Allen Iverson in the 2001 NBA Finals.  Juwan Howard was coming in to man Power Forward, a veteran talent but a man who has had a history of playing on bad teams.  Hold overs from the Mike Miller trade the season before, Drew Gooden and Gordon Giricek were over from the Memphis Grizzlies.  The team had a different look, and subsequently there was hope that the Magic could finally end the "Curse of Shaq" and break out of the first round of the playoffs.  Wrong.  They actually won their first game of the year on opening night on October 29th, 2003; in Madison Square Garden against the Knicks.  It was an 85-83 win in Overtime.  You always feel good when your team starts 1-0.  That was about the only good feel you had with that team all year.  They lost their next 19 games before finally winning again on December 8th 2003; at home against the Phoenix Suns, confetti dropped after the buzzer sounded.  Head Coach Doc Rivers was gone by this point, fired 10 games into the 19 game losing streak.

I'm rooting for the Nets, I tune in late in the games to see if they maybe can stop the streak, it hasn't happened yet.  I'm actually shocked Lawrence Frank still has a job.  I'm not saying he's the issue, he's even done a good job with the Nets since taking over for Byron Scott back in the '03-04 season.  Still, you figured he would have taken the fall by now.  I know how it feels New Jersey, hopefully Brooklyn isn't too far away and it can pump a little life into what right now is a lifeless franchise.

Red Sox going hard for Halladay

The Red Sox want Halladay before the start of the winter meetings, that's what is being reported by Mark Feinsand and Bill Madden of the New York Daily News.  New Blue Jays GM, Alex Anthopoulos, is willing to deal Halladay within the division for the right price.  Any package the Red Sox put together will have to include promising young starter Clay Buchholz.

A move like this would certainly change the balance of power in the AL East.  When you can trot out there Josh Beckett, Roy Halladay and Jon Lester as your top 3 starters, you are going to put yourself in position to be one of the best teams in baseball.  It will be interesting to see how the Yankees get involved now.  We remember last year that the Red Sox were the front runners for Teixeira until Brian Cashman and the Yankees came in and made a late push and signed him to an 8 year 180 million dollar deal.  Thanks also in part to Teixeira coming out of a meeting less than feeling good about this future owner/boss John Henry.  The Yankees have the players to make a move for Halladay.  They can offer up Joba Chamberlain or Phil Hughes.  They also have promosing catching prospects in Jesus Montero and Austin Romine; and Center field prospect Austin Jackson.  The other option is they can keep their prospects and make a counter move by courting free agent starting pitcher John Lackey.

It should be interesting to see how this plays out.  It could end up being like last years trade deadline and nothing happens at all and we will re-visit all this Halladay trade talk starting in June of 2010 as we approach the July 31st trade deadline next season. 

Miguel Cabrera adeed to the list of Tigers on the block

So far they haven't taken any action, but it's been rumored that the Tigers are ready to start unloading contracts.  Names that have already put out there are Curtis Granderson, Edwin Jackson and Magglio Ordonez.  Now it's being said that they might even try to deal slugger Miguel Cabrera.  Cabrera broke out on the scene for the Marlins as a 20 year old in 2003.  He hit .265 with 4 HRs and 12 Runs batted in during the 2003 postseason which saw the Marlins win their 2nd World Series as they defeated the New York Yankees in 6 games.  Since that time he has driven in 100 plus runs each year and hit at least 30 HRs in 5 of those 6 seasons, the only year he didn't was 2006 when he hit 26 bombs. 

Now to the bad news, as great of a hitter as he is, there is going to be some baggage coming along with him.  The biggest bag of all is his contract.  He is signed to an 8 year 152.3 Million dollar contract that runs through 2015.  The 6 years left on his contract break down to 20 million due in 2010 and 2011, 21 million due in 2012 and 2013, and 22 million due in 2014 and 2015.  That will be a lot for any team to take on.   He's also best suited as a DH, as he's never been a great fielder and has bounced around from the outfield to third base and last year playing 153 games at first base.  He's also known for his off the field issues and word is he loves to party and drink a bit too much.  On the last weekend of the regular season Cabrera had come home at 6:00am, after a night of drinking at the nearby Townsend Hotel in Detroit, and got in an argument with his wife.  Police responded to a call at their home due to this argument and Cabrera was taken in for questioning.  It was found that his blood alcohol level was at .26, three times the legal limit.  This was just 11 hours before the team was set to play the White Sox, a game which Cabrera went 0 for 4, leaving six runners on base.

Buster Olney of ESPN is currently reporting that possible suitors could be the Red Sox, Angels, Mets, White Sox, Giants, Mariners, and Braves.  When all is said and done I find it hard to believe that any of those teams want to take on the financial responsibility and everything else that comes along with Cabrera.  Bottom line though, the man can hit.  He would be an instant difference maker in anyone's lineup.