"Presenting... your 2009 free agent class. It's fun to look ahead, even if many of these guys will be off the market a year from now. Just to clarify, the players below are eligible for free agency after the 2008 season. I've categorized them by position; the player's 2009 age is in parentheses. If I saw someone as a possibility at more than one position I put them at both." Updated 8-26-08
Starting pitchers Kris Benson (33) A.J. Burnett (32) - can opt out after '08 season Paul Byrd (38) Roger Clemens (46) Matt Clement (33) Bartolo Colon (36) Ryan Dempster (32)
Josh Fogg (32) Jon Garland (29) Tom Glavine (43) Mike Hampton (36) Mark Hendrickson (35) Livan Hernandez (34) Orlando Hernandez (43) Jason Jennings (30) Randy Johnson (45) John Lackey (30) - $9MM club option for '09 with a $0.5MM buyout Jon Lieber (39) Braden Looper (34) Rodrigo Lopez (33) - club option for '09 Derek Lowe (36) Greg Maddux (43) Pedro Martinez (37) Brian Moehler (37) Jamie Moyer (46) Mark Mulder (31) - $11MM club option for '09 with a $1.5MM buyout Mike Mussina (40) Carl Pavano (33) - $13MM club option for '09 with a $1.95MM buyout Brad Penny (31) - $8.75MM club option for '09 with a $2MM buyout Odalis Perez (32) Oliver Perez (27) Andy Pettitte (37) Sidney Ponson (32) Mark Prior (27) Kenny Rogers (44) C.C. Sabathia (28)
Curt Schilling (42) Ben Sheets (30)
John Smoltz (42) - $12MM club option for '09 Tim Wakefield (42) - perpetual $4MM club option Kip Wells (32) Randy Wolf (32)
Closers Brian Fuentes (33) Eric Gagne (33) Eddie Guardado (38) Trevor Hoffman (41) Jason Isringhausen (36) Todd Jones (41) Brandon Lyon (29) Francisco Rodriguez (27) Salomon Torres (37) - $3.75MM club option for '09 with a $0.3MM buyout Kerry Wood (32)
Middle relievers Jeremy Affeldt (30) Luis Ayala (31) Joe Beimel (32) Joe Borowski (38) Doug Brocail (42) - club option for '09 Shawn Chacon (31) Juan Cruz (30) Alan Embree (39) - $3MM club option for '09 Scott Eyre (37) Kyle Farnsworth (33) Keith Foulke (35) Tom Gordon (41) - $4.5MM club option for '09 with a $1MM buyout LaTroy Hawkins (36) Mark Hendrickson (35) Matt Herges (39) - club option for '09 Bob Howry (35) Jon Lieber (39) Damaso Marte (34) - $6MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout Trever Miller (36) - $2MM club option for '09 with a $0.4MM buyout Guillermo Mota (35) Will Ohman (31) Darren Oliver (38) Horacio Ramirez (29) Al Reyes (38) Dennys Reyes (32) Juan Rincon (30) Brian Shouse (40) Russ Springer (40) Mike Timlin (43) David Weathers (39) Kip Wells (32) Matt Wise (33)
Catchers Rod Barajas (33) - $2.5MM club option for '09 with a $0.5MM buyout Michael Barrett (32) Henry Blanco (37) - $3MM mutual option for '09 with a $0.3MM buyout Johnny Estrada (33) Toby Hall (33) - $2.25MM club option for '09 with a $0.15MM buyout Jason LaRue (35) Paul Lo Duca (37) Miguel Olivo (30) - $2.7MM club option for '09 with a $0.1MM buyout Mike Redmond (38) - $0.95MM club option for '09 with a $0.1MM buyout Ivan Rodriguez (37) David Ross (32) Jason Varitek (37) Gregg Zaun (38)
First basemen Rich Aurilia (37) Hank Blalock (28) - $6.2MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout Sean Casey (34) Tony Clark (37) Carlos Delgado (37) - $12MM mutual option for '09 with a $4MM buyout Nomar Garciaparra (35) Jason Giambi (38) - $22MM club option for '09 with a $5MM buyout Wes Helms (33) - $3.75MM club option for '09 with a $0.75MM buyout Eric Hinske (31) Doug Mientkiewicz (35) Kevin Millar (37) Richie Sexson (34) Mark Teixeira (29) Daryle Ward (34)
Second basemen Jamey Carroll (35) - $2.5MM club option for '09 with a $0.15MM buyout Ray Durham (37) Mark Ellis (32) Mark Grudzielanek (39) Orlando Hudson (31) Tadahito Iguchi (34) Jeff Kent (41) Felipe Lopez (29) Mark Loretta (37) Aaron Miles (32) Nick Punto (31)
Shortstops Orlando Cabrera (34) David Eckstein (34) Adam Everett (32) Rafael Furcal (31) Nomar Garciaparra (35) Cesar Izturis (29) Felipe Lopez (29) Edgar Renteria (33) - $12MM club option for '09 with a $3MM buyout Juan Uribe (30) Omar Vizquel (42) - $5.2MM club option for '09 with a $0.3MM buyout
Third basemen Rich Aurilia (37) Casey Blake (35) Hank Blalock (28) - $6.2MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout Joe Crede (31) Nomar Garciaparra (35) Wes Helms (33) - $3.75MM club option for '09 Chipper Jones (37) - $8-11MM vesting option for '09
Left fielders Moises Alou (42) Garret Anderson (37) - $14MM club option for '09 with a $3MM buyout Milton Bradley (31) Emil Brown (34) Pat Burrell (32) Carl Crawford (27) - $8.25MM club option for '09 with a $2.5MM buyout Adam Dunn (29) Cliff Floyd (36) - $2.75MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout Luis Gonzalez (41) Raul Ibanez (37) Kevin Mench (31) Jason Michaels (33) - $2.6MM club option for '09 Craig Monroe (32) Jay Payton (36) Wily Mo Pena (27) - $5MM club option or $2MM player option for '09 Manny Ramirez (37) Juan Rivera (30)
Center fielders Rocco Baldelli (27) Mike Cameron (36) - $10MM club option for '09 with a $750K buyout Jim Edmonds (39) Mark Kotsay (33) Corey Patterson (29)
Right fielders Bobby Abreu (35) Casey Blake (35) Cliff Floyd (36) - $2.75MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout Brian Giles (38) - $9MM club option for '09 with a $3MM buyout Ken Griffey Jr. (39) - $16.5MM club option for '09 with a $4MM buyout Vladimir Guerrero (33) - $15MM club option for '09 with a $3MM buyout Brad Wilkerson (32)
DHs Milton Bradley (31) Pat Burrell (32) Adam Dunn (29) Cliff Floyd (36) - $2.75MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout Jason Giambi (38) - $22MM club option for '09 with $5MM buyout Vladimir Guerrero (33) - $15MM club option for '09 with a $3MM buyout Raul Ibanez (37) Manny Ramirez (37) Juan Rivera (30) Mike Sweeney (35) Frank Thomas (41) Jim Thome (38) - $13MM club option for '09 with $3MM buyout; vests with 564 PAs in '08 Jose Vidro (34)
Team USA and Dallas Mavericks guard Jason Kidd checked out the women's beach volleyball action while representing USA men's basketball in Beijing.
Did Misti -- who's married to Florida Marlins catcher Matt Treanor -- signal J-Kidd to call her after she and Kerry won the gold medal match? Watch the video here, and decide for yourself.
Time for today's smokin' Just Because Girl. Think you know her? Instant message your guesses via the "big red bar" on our home page, and be sure to represent -- tell us from where your e-mailing and listening to the show.
If this doesn't get you fired up, you're dead. Vince, Mario or Reggie: Yup. Time to talk about it; And, no kidding, a nun beauty contest.
Wednesday 08-27-2008 9:58am CT
By John Lopez College football season is upon us. Today, we let the videos tell the story, as Wake Forest-Baylor gets us going on Thursday, Rice-SMU on Friday and a full slate of quality games over the weekend. One of the questions of the day: Not including your school's which college fight song gets you most fired up, or do you enjoy the most, or makes you feel like it's football season? This from the Kansas City Star: You think it's just local media-types and fans who argue over the whole Vince-Mario-Reggie thing? The guts of the Texans' first-round pick two years ago is gaining national exposure. Under, "Five Players To Watch" in 2008, the Star listed only one of the threesome:
"Mario Williams, Houston Texans: Remember the snickering when the Texans surprised everyone by taking Williams with the first overall pick of the 2006 draft instead of Reggie Bush or Vince Young? The Texans might get the last laugh. After a disappointing rookie season, Williams blossomed in 2007 with 14 sacks and two forced fumbles. In a division featuring three playoff teams last year, he can be a difference maker." ...
Football notes From everydayshouldbesaturday:
Texas is down to two backs now that Foswhitt Whittaker, a.k.a. “Fozzy,” has fallen behind due to a “minor knee injury.” (”Minor” in football terms equals “severed below the leg by a shark on South Padre Island. 2-3 weeks.”)
Now starting, your normal freakishly talented man in burnt orange with the outstanding name.
Vondrell McGee and Chris Ogbonnaya will likely run 1-2, with McGee playing the rugged leading man part while Ogbonnaya tugs at the heartstrings with an underplayed third down back crippled by his addiction to pass blocking and a downhearted woman he just can’t let go.
Why I love photoshop The UCLA Bruins took out a full-page ad in a Los Angeles newspaper and took a direct shot at USC's dominance. Here's the fun Trojans fans had with the ad, via photoshop:
The original ad appears below.
Not sports-related, but GEEZ!!!
From the wire services: ROME - An Italian priest, who had planned an online "pageant" for nuns, has suspended the project, saying he was misinterpreted and had no intention of putting sisters on a beauty catwalk.
"My superiors were not happy. The local bishop was not happy, but they did not understand me either ... It was not at all my intention to put nuns on the catwalk," Miss Sister 2008 Yes, that's really what it was going to be called. He hoped there would be dozens of submissions once the Web site started.
His concept for the contest, in which nuns would have a month to vote for themselves on his blog, would include attributes such as their spirituality, social awareness, charity and other qualities, Rungi said. Nuns would fill out a profile including information about their life and vocation as well as a photograph. It would be up to them to choose whether to pose with the traditional veil or with their heads uncovered.
"We are not going to parade nuns in bathing suits," Rungi said. "But being ugly is not a requirement for becoming a nun. External beauty is gift from God, and we mustn't hide it." ...
My goodnes. I CAN'T IMAGINE HOW FATHER RUNGI POSSIBLY COULD HAVE THOUGHT A NUN BEAUTY PAGEANT WOULD NOT HAVE GONE OVER WELL WITH THE BISHOP AND CATHOLIC CHURCH. NOT EVEN WHEN HE USED THE WORD, "SUBMISSION" ... Who wants to go to the Miami-Texas A&M game Sept. 20? Well, Tuxedo Charters Houston is offering the ultimate tailgate for the game. If you already have tickets for the game, get all the tailgating information here. If you'd like to inquire about the ticket and the tailgate with my company, call 713-876-4889. It's going to be an unbelievable experience ... ********************************************************************* Just Because. Identify her. She's quite the star around the world. Let us know who she is via the big, red bar or email link at the top of this blog. Who is she?
NFL QB News And Notes... And A Bevy Of JBG's!
Tuesday 08-26-2008 10:39am CT
By Ted DeLuca
Peyton Manning could be activated by the Indianapolis Colts today, even though the 2-time MVP QB isn't expected to play in the team's pre-season finale.
Manning has been on the physically unable to perform list since undergoing surgery in mid-July to have an infected bursa sac removed from his left knee, but he's expected to be ready for the Colts' September 7th season opener.
Tom Brady expects to be taking the snaps when the New England Patriots open their NFL season against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Pats' quarterback has missed all three of his team's pre-season games while nursing a right foot injury, but says he'll be ready for the season opener.
Miami Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano has named Chad Pennington his starting quarterback for the team's season opener against Pennington's former team, the New York Jets.
The Jets released Pennington shortly after acquiring QB Brett Favre in a trade with the Green Bay Packers.
Here's a sneak peek at Week 1's action in the NFL:
NFL Lines For Week 1 - NFL Football Line Week One NFL Line 9/4 - 9/8, 2008
Date & Time
Favorite
Line
Underdog
Total
9/4 7:00 ET
At NY Giants
-3.5
Washington
40.5
9/7 1:00 ET
Cincinnati
-1
At Baltimore
39.5
9/7 1:00 ET
NY Jets
-3
At Miami
36
9/7 1:00 ET
At New England
-16.5
Kansas City
47
9/7 1:00 ET
At Pittsburgh
-6.5
Houston
43.5
9/7 1:00 ET
Jacksonville
-3
At Tennessee
37
9/7 1:00 ET
Detroit
-3
At Atlanta
41
9/7 1:00 ET
At Buffalo
PK
Seattle
39.5
9/7 1:00 ET
At New Orleans
-3.5
Tampa Bay
43
9/7 1:00 ET
At Philadelphia
-7
St. Louis
44.5
9/7 4:15 ET
Dallas
-4
At Cleveland
49
9/7 4:15 ET
At San Diego
-9
Carolina
42.5
9/7 4:15 ET
Arizona
-3
At San Francisco
41.5
9/7 8:15 ET
At Indianapolis
-9
Chicago
44
Monday Night Football Line
9/8 7:00 ET
At Green Bay
-3
Minnesota
38.5
9/8 10:15 ET
Denver
-3
At Oakland
41.5
For today's Just Because Girl, how about the hottest wives and girlfriends in sports?
Texans fans, time to panic. Academerically speaking, is your college dumbly? And Fantasy Football time begins now.
Monday 08-25-2008 9:55am CT
By John Lopez The Texans' season has not yet begun. But feel free to panic until further notice, Texans fans.
The strength of this team was going to be the defense, particularly the front-four, a smart quarterback and depth at receiver. Well, the scariest thing is the defense. The secondary is poor, the linebackers have looked thin and the vaunted defensive front has looked dismal. The preseason for all intents and purposes, is over. The final game Thursday will be more for cuts and evaluation of youngsters way back on the depth chart. So while the Texans had a chance to win a meaningless preseason game, trusting your eyes would indicate there are big questions that need to be answered fast. Right now, there is no rush end opposite Mario Williams -- and Mario must still turn on the switch. The defensive tackles have been pushed around mercilessly.
The Texans still like him, but Jacques Reeves makes me miss Petey Faggins.
The safeties cannot cover.
Meanwhile, an NFL quarterback in an important preseason game cannot afford to start the way Matt Schaub did. The running game must come around and I'm beginning to think Steve Slaton is the answer. At least there's still depth at receiver. Things must get well soon, or like we're talking about on the message board, it could be a long, long year... If you went to LSU, TCU or Kansas State, you're dumb. OK, maybe not, but you're at the bottom of the rankings of U.S. colleges and universities by U.S. News & World Report. Take a bow: Louisiana State and Kansas State were ranked 130th. Among others in the Bottom 25: Utah (127th), Colorado State and Arkansas tied at 125th, Arizona State (121st). Ohio, Kentucky and Washington State grouped at 116, then Brigham Young and Texas Christian tied at 113.
The season starts Thursday night with 14 games and the marquee matchup takes place at Stanford, where Oregon State is a three-point favorite over the Cardinal. Two other games of note: North Carolina State travels to South Carolina (-12.5) and Wake Forest (-12.5) plays at Baylor.
There are two games Friday. June Jones makes his debut as Southern Methodist coach when the Mustangs travel to Rice (-3.5), and Temple (-7) plays at Army.
Saturday features Rich Rodriguez's debut as Michigan coach. The host Wolverines (-3.5) play Utah. Clemson (-5) gets the nod over Alabama at Atlanta, Oklahoma State (-6.5) is favored over Washington State at Seattle and Missouri (-8.5) is expected to defeat Illinois in the Arch Rivalry in St. Louis. Two other games of note: Michigan State visits California (-4.5) and if you like points, Chattanooga is a 48-point underdog against Oklahoma. Why are they playing that game? Why?
On Sunday, Kentucky plays at Louisville (-3.5) and Colorado State challenges Colorado (-11) at Denver. It's Division I football!
Monday brings Fresno State at Rutgers (-5.5) and Tennessee (-7.5) at UCLA in Rick Neuheisel's debut as Bruin coach. It would help if UCLA had an offensive line. What's your Fantasy Football team name? What, you don't have a team yet? Well, you need to get on-board the 790 The Sports Animal fantasy football league ... you can join on the homepage and the prizes for the ultimate winner (me) are going to be superb ... Get on the bus! The Mojito tour was a smashing success and, well, let's just say the bus was rocking all night long ... we cannot provide much photographic evidence, other than to tell you Berryhill Baja Grill at Post Oak, Hooters at Kirby and The Flat put on quite a show with awesome mojitos. With football season, don't forget to book your corporate or private group's tailgate party with Tuxedo Charters Houston and let them get it done for you. The buses, as always, make for the most memorable experience. Check out my company here ... ************************************************************* Just Because. Hit us through the email link on this page or the big, red bar on the homepage and tell us who this is. She's a doll, alright ... that's a hint.
Why not Texans-Cowboys every year? Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? And are the new Aggies helmets a secret weapon?
Friday 08-22-2008 10:00am CT
By John Lopez Now you know I'm a huge Olympics fan, but it's Texans-Cowboys and, yes, only the preseason. Nevertheless, there are a number of better reasons to watch this than the featured rhthmic gymnastics over in Beijing. From the Cowboys perspective: * Pacman Jones gets his first start. * Marion Barber faces off against his brother, Dominique Barber. * The offense AND defense need to perform better or else serious doubts about the makeup and mettle of this team will creep in, even before the season begins. From the Texans' perspective: * The running game MUST show up. This is the last chance for a number of backfield hopefuls. * Steve Slaton must prove that the first two preseason games were not flukes and he must hold onto the ball -- he just may become the starter. * The defensive front, clearly a strength, must put some pressure on Tony Romo. The outcome may not matter, but this is an important game. Why don't we see Cowboys-Texans every year? Can you imagine just how luscious and heated this rivalry could be if it was played every year? Yes, yes. I know. The NFL has that funky schecduling where you mix it up with each other division on a rotating basis. But this is one area where baseball has it on the NFL. There should be a one-game "regional rivalry" exception. In other words, like this year, the Texans face the NFC Central. Why can't one of those four games be dropped -- randomly -- in favor of the "regional rivalry" game. Everyone wins in that way: Television, fans, owners. The hype would become an annual event, much like Texas-OU in college football. The game could be sponsored and certainly media attention would dwarf that vaunted Texans-Lions hype we should expect. Even in the MLB, where the Rangers have been sorry for so long, there's a bit of extra tension and hype whenever the Astros face the Rangers. Hey, Roger Goodell -- do something smart and give every team a rivalry game ... Oh, one more reason to watch tonight:
Cassie Trammell makes her Dallas national TV debut tonight on CBS [Credit]
Jessica Simpson says she's smart. In other news, Yao Ming declares he's really 5-foot-2.
Come on, now. What was this beer company that no one has heard of thinking? Not surprisingly, it's based in Dallas -- land of it must be good because it's from Dallas. Read the ad and try not to laugh. Below the picture of Jessica "Is this chicken what I have or fish" Simpson -- with her mouth open in a, "huh" kind of stupor, it says: Be smart. Rrrriiiiigggghhhhht. Lost in translation ... uh, just a few decades of history. Yeah, I know everyone wants to get into the Michael Phelps thing and over-dramatize it a little. OK, overdramatize it a lot. But look at this video from Spanish-speaking Olympic network and read the captions. Man, that Phelps was good. And, yes, the translation is accurate.
Remember this guy?
Yup, the "boom goes the dynamite" kid graduated and got a job. In broadcasting. On-camera. Really ... no, really! I kid you not. This from the KXXV website in Waco: Brian Collins
"Brian came from the great state of Ohio and grew up near Cleveland. Although his family now lives in Cincinnati he remains loyal to the Cleveland Browns regardless of how bad they're doing. He loves going out on the lake to fish, relaxing on the bay and watching endless amounts of football. He also loves to spend time with his dog Rocky who he rescued from an animal shelter.
While he has never been to Texas before Brian is becoming a big fan of the area. He hopes to soon visit the Dr. Pepper Museum, Cameron park, and Lake Waco. He also loves to travel. While he was only visited Mexico, Jamaica, and Canada so far, he hopes to add more countries to that list as soon as possible. Ireland is the next stop on his list.
Brian began working at KXXV in August 2008 after graduating from Ball State University in Indiana with a degree in Telecommunications. While in college he interned at WANE in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and at WTHR in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Brian currently lives in Waco and encourages residents to contact him about any story ideas." I can't wait to hear his report the first time the Rockets play the Indiana Pacers ... Aggies' helmets are REALLY cool. Those creative geniuses on the message board of TexAgs.com are at it again. Remember "Fran needs a 'stache" thread and the "Mangino needs a 'stache" thread? Well, someone innocently wondered about the new helmet A&M tailback Michael Goodson is wearing this year. The photoshop fun ensues. Here are a couple of my favorites: This Saturday night -- Mojito Tour ... wow. Yup. There are about six or eight seats remaining on the Tuxedo Charters Houston party bus for Saturday night's Tommy Bahama Mojito Tour (and, no, you don't have to drink just Mojitos). Get your tickets here and don't forget about my company, www.TuxedoChartersHouston.com for all your corporate and private luxury/party bus needs ... ***************************************************** Just Because. Wow describes this lovely lady as well. Tell us who she is via the big, red bar on the homepage or via the email link at the top of this blog page and you could be a winner.
The U.S. Golden Girls Prove To Be Mudders... And How Broke Is Michael Vick?
Thursday 08-21-2008 9:51am CT
By Ted DeLuca
The U.S. women's beach volleyball team of Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor does it again -- winning their 108th consecutive match and defending their gold medal, by defeating a Chinese team this morning by scores of 21-18 and 21-18. The match actually took place in heavy rain.
Meanwhile, the U.S. men's basketball "Redeem Team" advanced to the semifinals by knocking out Australia 116-85, led by Kobe Bryant's 25 points.
LeBron James added 16 points for Team USA, which blew the game open early in the third period. Team USA will face defending gold medalist Argentina Friday morning, and you can hear the game live on 790 the Sports Animal.
Of course, you can stay up to date with everything going on in Beijing with our 790 Summer Olympics page.
Caught this well-written piece over the weekend, and it actually made me feel a little bad for the guy. How broke is Michael Vick? Read this story to find out.
Time for today's Just Because Girl... she may be young, but she's extremely talented. Think you know her? Instant message your guesses via the "big red bar" on our home page, and be sure to represent -- tell us from where your e-mailing and listening to the show.
© 2008