PHILADELPHIA (AP) Right fielder Hunter Pence has agreed to a $10.4 million, one-year contract with the Phillies, avoiding arbitration. The deal was announced Friday,... More...
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Fantrax senior columnist Scott Taylor takes a look at the 2012 NHL all-star game and doesn't like what he sees.
A review of the changes in store for the 2012 Salary Cap Points Challenge and a primer for those who play the points game
The Studs and Duds weekly recap by Gates Imbeau brings you a fresh look at the best and worst of the NHL in a given week. The feature also includes a healthy dose of Quick Hits delivered by Brandon Landry.
Fantasy Columns
A review of the changes in store for the 2012 Salary Cap Points Challenge and a primer for those who play the points game
Besides Edwards and Stewart, there are 41 other drivers in Sunday's season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Rotoworld's Anthony Ballantoni suggests mid-pack drivers to fill your fantasy roster for the 2011 Ford 400.
Michael Finewax reports that there is a big clash on Tuesday as the Blackhawks and Canucks do battle.
There were just two games on Thursday, but fantasy owners want to know the injury status of Andrea Bargnani, Andrew Bogut and Eric Gordon.
Senior writer IJ Schecter lets you know who's going to win what in 2012 - probably.
Josh Norris reviews defensive players who shined and disappointed during this week's Senior Bowl all-star practices.
What if Alabama wins tonight? Who should be ranked #1? Most would suggest it should be Alabama or LSU. Our Michael Emmett thinks a third team should be in the mix.
UConn and Butler have reached the final to this year's March Madness tournament. Fantrax's Matt McCloskey takes a look at the matchups and predicts who will be the national champion.
The CFL free-agent list is out and our senior columnist, Scott Taylor, wonders if the Eastern champions should pay their quarterback big bucks.
Anderson Silva is still the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. One quick left foot will attest to that
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Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that there is "mutual interest" between the Giants and free agent infielder/outfielder Xavier Nady. Schulman says a potential deal would "almost certainly" be of the minor league variety that contains a spring training invite. Nady put together an ugly .248/.287/.359 batting line over 223 plate appearances in an injury-shortened season for the D'Backs in 2011. His career .275/.328/.438 line is much better, though, so he wouldn't be a bad bench bat.
Rays designated INF Russ Canzler for assignment. The move was made in order to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Jeff Keppinger. Canzler had a hit in three at-bats for the Rays last September and had a nice year at Triple-A Durham, batting .314/.401/.530 with 18 homers. There's a good chance the 25-year-old will clear waivers and remain in the organization.
Rays signed INF Jeff Keppinger to a one-year, $1.525 million contract. The deal also includes some incentives. Keppinger, who will turn 32 in April, batted just .277/.300/.377 with six home runs and 35 RBI in 399 plate appearances last season between the Giants and Astros, but he holds an .852 career OPS against left-handed pitchers and offers defensive versatility.
Phillies and OF Hunter Pence avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $10.4 million contract. It's the exact midpoint of the figures the two sides exchanged earlier this month. Pence earned $6.9 million last season while batting .314/.370/.502 with 22 homers, 97 RBI, eight stolen bases and an .871 OPS over 154 games between Houston and Philadelphia. He has one more year of arbitration eligibility before hitting the free agent market.
Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that Hiroki Kuroda's one-year, $10 million contract with the Yankees also contains a full no-trade clause. It's not surprising, as Kuroda likely would have been dealt at last year's deadline but didn't want to waive his no-trade clause. It's very unlikely the Yanks would want to deal him, anyway, as he's been an integral cog in what figures to be another playoff team in 2012. Kuroda, who turns 37 in February, has a 3.45 ERA over his first four seasons stateside.
Mariners signed RHP Brian Sweeney to a minor league contract. He was not given an invite to spring training. Sweeney, 37, spent all of 2011 in the minors, holding a 4.34 ERA over 32 appearances -- eight starts -- for Triple-A Buffalo in the Mets organization. The journeyman is a longshot to crack the Opening Day roster.
Entering its 30th year as a Penske Racing sponsor, Snap-on Tools will enhance its role with the organization to serve as a primary sponsor of the No. 22 Dodge Challenger in the NASCAR Nationwide Series for four races this season. Snap-on's colors and branding will adorn the No. 22 car driven this season by both former Nationwide Series champion Brad Keselowski and rising star Parker Kligerman in races at Darlington (May 11), Dover (June 2), New Hampshire Motor Speedway (July 14) and Richmond (September 7).-Penske Racing
After a five-year absence from competing in a NASCAR race, Ward Burton will drive at Daytona in February in the NextEra Energy 250 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event. Burton and his 19-year-old son, Jeb, have teamed with Hillman Racing in the Truck Series to run the No. 27 Chevy this season. Ward will race at Daytona because Jeb is not yet qualified to run at Daytona. Burton also will make select starts throughout the truck series schedule. The younger Burton will make his debut behind the wheel in the Kroger 250 at Martinsville on March 31.
The WURTH GROUP will sponsor the No. 12 Dodge Challenger driven by Sam Hornish, Jr. in the Nationwide Series. WURTH will be primary sponsor in seven races beginning a multi-year partnership with Penske Racing. WURTH will also be an associate sponsor for the remaining 26 Nationwide Series races and also as an associate sponsor of No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge in the Sprint Cup Series. A leading supplier of high-quality automotive and industrial parts, cabinet supplies and fasteners, WURTH has more than 40,000 customers across the nation.-Penske Racing
BUBBA burgerr has signed on as a primary sponsor for Bobby Labonte's No. 47 Toyota Camry during the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. BUBBA burger is scheduled to have prominent position on Labonte's car during the Pocono 400 at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Penn. June 10 and also during the Geico 400 at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill. on September 16. Additionally, BUBBA burger will be an associate sponsor for the full season.-JTG Daugherty Racing
Road-course specialist Max Papis has been tapped to pilot RCR's No. 33 Rheem/Menards Chevrolet when the NASCAR Nationwide Series visits Road America on June 23. In addition to competing at the 14-turn road course, Papis will serve as a driver coach for fellow RCR teammates, assisting in strengthening their road-course racing skills.Papis, a native of Italy who now resides in North Carolina, has nine road-course races on his Nationwide Series resume with his career best finish of second coming at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in August 2009. The 2004 Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series champion has also competed in six NASCAR Sprint Cup Series road-course events, posting his best finish of eighth at Watkins Glen International in the same year.-Richard Childress Racing
Brendan Gaughan will compete in four Cup series races, driving RCR's No. 33 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet in addition to his previously announced 18-race Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series schedule with the team. His four-race Cup schedule will kick-off at Phoenix in March, followed by a doubleheader weekend where Gaughan will pilot the No. 33 South Point Chevrolet in both the Nationwide and Cup events at his home track of Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Completing his 2012 Sprint Cup Series schedule with RCR is Bristol and Auto Club Speedway (Fontana, Calif.) in March.-Richard Childress Racing
Logan Couture isn't upset over being the last pick overall in the 2012 NHL All-Star Fantasy Player Draft. Couture joked about it on Twitter, tweeting, "Who went last? I missed the end of the draft?" He later joked about pimping his new Honda, which he got for being chosen last. Couture also got $20,000 to donate to charity of his choice. "I had fun with it," Couture said. "You can't take it personally. Being a young guy here for the first time, playing on the west coast, it was something I knew was a possibility. I just wanted to have a good time with it, and I did."
Erik Karlsson and the Ottawa Senators haven't engaged in any serious extension discussions. Karlsson is scheduled to become a restricted free agent this summer. He had 45 points last season and he's already recorded 47 points in 51 games in 2011-12. Karlsson is in for a big payday, the only question is if the Senators try to pursue a long-term deal or settle for a shorter contract for now in the hopes of working something out later.
Daniel Alfredsson, who is signed through 2012-13, wants to honor the final season of his contract. "The way this season is going, if I'm still healthy after this season, I'm hoping I can go one more," said Alfredsson. "This year has been so good. If we can make the playoffs, that would almost be a dream come true." Alfredsson's cap hit would be $4,875,000 next season, but because his contract is front loaded, he will earn $1 million in 2012-13. Alfredsson has 17 goals and 38 points in 46 games this season, so he's certainly playing like he has something left in the tank.
Chad Johnson has been sent to the minors. Johnson was called up prior to Tuesday's game because Martin Biron was dealing with the flu. Johnson didn't get any playing time during his brief NHL stint.
Martin Brodeur isn't completely happy with the way he's played so far, but he thinks he's turned a corner. Martin Brodeur has a 2.77 GAA and .894 save percentage in 31 games, although he has allowed just nine goals in his last five starts. "It took a while for me to be consistent, but I've found that in my game," Brodeur said. "I feel every day I play the same way, regardless of whether we win or lose. That's where I wanted to get. From there, I think I'll be able to really step it up and get wins for this team. It took a while with my (shoulder) injury early on, and not playing as much, too, in back-to-backs. They played (Johan Hedberg), with good reason. He's been really good. I'm real happy with what's going on right now, where I'm at with my game."
With just a month until the deadline and a little over two months until the end of the regular season, the Devils still haven't inked Zach Parise to an extension. Parise will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season if he's not re-signed. It would take a massive contract to re-sign Parise and with each passing day, we become a little less optimistic. This situation will probably lead to Parise's name being brought up in trade rumors, as the Devils could get a fair deal for him at the trade deadline, but New Jersey isn't likely to trade him. "I'm here to win. We're here to win," Devils GM Lou Lamoriello said. "Everybody can do all the speculating they want. But I can assure you, we're here to win and we will do what it takes." The Devils might be able to make the playoffs, but their odds of winning the Stanley Cup this season are slim.
Dwyane Wade (ankle) has been ruled out for Friday night's matchup against the Knicks.
The Heat, Spurs, Clippers, Hawks and Knicks are all pursuing free-agent forward Kenyon Martin, according to league sources. Martin hopes to make his decision next week, however he is prohibited him from joining an NBA team until his current Chinese Basketball Association team's season ends, which could be as soon as Feb. 16. According to a person close to Martin, his priority is to join a contender on which he'll have a sizeable role. The Clippers can offer K-Mart $2.5 million, which is more than any of the other teams on this list. At this stage in his career it is difficult to envision K-Mart having a sizeable role anywhere, but he should make his decision soon.
Andrew Bogut (ankle) is out for a minimum of 8-12 weeks with his fractured left ankle. As we are quickly approaching Week 6 of an 18-week condensed season, if you do the math, the best-case scenario is only getting Bogut back for four weeks. It looks like it is safe to drop Bogut in all leagues for a healthy body that can help your team right now. Drew Gooden will get first crack at the starting center gig in Milwaukee, with Ersan Ilyasova also in line for additional minutes as well.
Vince Carter (foot) has been cleared to play Friday night against the Jazz. Carter has missed five games with the injury and is set to return on the same night Delonte West (hamstring) is being called very iffy. If West misses the game, head coach Rick Carlisle has said he may start Roddy Beaubois or Carter. It would be quite a leap of faith to start VC after missing almost two weeks, however we will have to wait until game time for official word.
Luke Ridnour (knee) has been cleared to return for Minnesota on Friday night against San Antonio. Ridnour should reclaim his starting role in the backcourt and is safe to get back into lineups. Although he had a nice game (16 points, four rebounds, three assists) in a spot start on Wednesday, Wayne Ellington will move back into a reserve role.
Head coach Scott Skiles announced that Drew Gooden will start at center for the Bucks with Andrew Bogut out, but that Ersan Ilyasova will also play as center in certain situations as well. "If (Ilyasova) and Luc (Mbah a Moute) are in there together - for instance, last year they both did a great job on (Roy) Hibbert by just not letting him catch the ball - they both have the quickness to front," Skiles said. "Nothing against Drew, but not really his game." Skiles has been one of the most maddening coaches this season from a fantasy perspective and the latest situation at C seems to be no different. Gooden is definitely the pickup here, but keep in mind Skiles has not been afraid to switch it up early and often.
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Sang-moon Bae is 12-under-par 65-67=132 and holds early possession of the clubhouse lead through 36 holes of the Farmers Insurance Open. Bae took on the more difficult Torrey Pines South today but it didn't matter much in terms of scoring. He buried seven birdies including rolls of 10'8" and 14'5" at the fourth and 18th holes, respectively, but his longest conversion was a par save from 22'1" at the first hole. At the time he signed his card, he led the field with 14 birdies and putting (1.519). While others have cachet in the U.S., the 2012 Rookie of the Year Award is Bae's to lose. He'll play in all of the majors and WGCs on world ranking alone.
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Bubba Watson opened his title defense of the Farmers Insurance Open with a 3-under-par 36-33=69 at Torrey Pines North. Watson thrashed Torrey Pines last year, leading the field in driving distance, greens in regulation and proximity to the hole. At the time he signed his card today, he sat atop the field in distance (342.0 yards) but he has some room for improvement elsewhere. He hit 14 GIR and managed six birdies including on all four par 5s, but he took 33 putts and swallowed three bogeys. He's seven strokes adrift of the overnight co-leaders.
J.B. Holmes signed for a 4-over-par 38-38=76 following his opening round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines South. While he failed to circle a single birdie, the score is good enough to ignore. What's most important is that he's back inside the ropes after having brain surgery on Sept. 1. This was his first live action since. For the record, he split eight (of 14) fairways, hit 12 greens and took 32 putts. His longest two conversions were par saves of 7'5" and 8'10" at his final two holes -- the 17th and 18th. The fourth and fifth holes of the South Course are used to measure driving distance this week. Holmes' drives measured 250 and 295 yards, respectively, for an average of 272.5, which ranked outside the top 140 longest at the time he signed his card. This isn't unexpected as he continues to tighten his game and regain his strength.
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Justin Rose settled for a 1-under-par 36-35=71 at Torrey Pines South in his opening round of the Farmers Insurance Open. Rose has taken several weeks off for the birth of his second child (on New Year's Day). While he started today par-birdie-birdie with a 41'2" conversion at the third hole, he didn't make any noise the rest of the way. Overall, he split just four (of 14) fairways and hit 12 greens, and managed just one birdie on a par 5.
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Vijay Singh carded an 8-under-par 33-31=64 at Torrey Pines North in his opening round of the Farmers Insurance Open. Singh first competed in this event in 1994 but this is just his eighth appearance. He buried nine birdies today, only two of which on par 5s, and finished two strokes off the clubhouse lead.
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Gavin Coles posted a 4-under-par 34-34=68 at Torrey Pines North in his opening round of the Farmers Insurance Open. It's barely noteworthy but Coles withdrew during his suspended third round at last week's Humana. He wasn't going to make the cut anyway but we never take anything for granted when it comes to mid-round WDs. Today he hit 15 greens and rolled in six birdies, three of which on par 5s.
Hakeem Nicks (shoulder) missed Giants practice again on Friday. Nicks confirmed to reporters Friday that he has an AC joint sprain in his shoulder. Look for him to practice next week and start in Super Bowl XLVI.
The Boston Globe reports that Rob Gronkowski will likely need his injured left ankle scoped following the Super Bowl. Beat reporter Shalise Manza Young confirms that Gronk will play in Super Bowl XLVI, but his ankle will need to be "cleaned up" due to apparent ligament damage. While the operation doesn't sound major, it's clear Gronkowski will be at less than full strength against the Giants. An early-game aggravation would certainly have the potential to impact the Super Bowl's outcome.
According to MLive.com's Anwar Richardson, "many within the (Lions') organization" are concerned whether Jahvid Best (concussions) will play football again. The line was a throw-in during a Senior Bowl roundup, so we're not quite sure what to make of it. Richardson does note that the Lions interviewed Boise State's Doug Martin, Ohio State's Dan Herron, and Washington's Chris Polk in Mobile. Lions GM Martin Mayhew recently stated that the team is "very optimistic" about Best's future, but there may be more internal concern than he let on.
The 49ers reportedly reached an "understanding" after the season that free agent S Reggie Smith would be allowed to test the market in 2012. The Niners are expected to either franchise tag FS Dashon Goldson or lock him up long term, which would have left Smith as a third safety for another year behind Goldson and SS Donte Whitner. The 75th overall pick in the 2008 draft, Smith was a college cornerback. He held his own in seven starts two seasons ago, and should draw some interest as a starter in free agency.
CSN Bay Area's Matt Maiocco believes free agent FS Dashon Goldson is "clearly" a more likely 49ers franchise tag candidate than free agent CB Carlos Rogers. Per Maiocco, the 49ers "obviously" would like to lock up both defensive backs for the long term, but the safety tag is $6.2 million compared to $10.6 million for a corner, and San Francisco has no in-house replacement for Goldson. They have Chris Culliver, Tarell Brown, and Tramaine Brock at cornerback. Rogers appears headed for the open market if no deal is reached before March 13.
Former NFL scout Dan Shonka believes free agent Matt Flynn would be a "perfect fit" for the Browns' offense. "Matt Flynn is a perfect fit for their offense," Shonka told the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "... I think he can play, and he is already in a West Coast offense. If they sign Flynn, then they have all those picks to fill other needs." The Browns are currently scheduled to draft fourth and 22nd overall in the first round. Shonka suggests signing Flynn, using No. 4 on LSU CB Morris Claiborne, and picking Baylor WR Kendall Wright at No. 22.
Former USC receiver Brice Butler transferred to San Diego State and will be eligible to play for the Aztecs in 2012. Becasue Butler will graduate prior to the fall, he does not have to sit out next season and wait until 2013 to complete his eligibility. Butler caught 12 passes for 150 yards last season and was 41-554-3 in his three years with the Trojans.
Former Baylor standout receiver Kendall Wright will miss Saturday's Senior Bowl because of an ankle injury. Baylor's all-time leading receiver could be the first receiver taken overall in April's draft. He caught 101 passes for 1,572 yards and 13 TDs last season for the Bears.
Marquis Maze, who pulled a hamstring in the BCS title game, will attempt to play through the injury at the Senior Bowl. Maze originally stated the hamstring would prevent him from playing in Saturday's showcase, but he now will attempt to give it a go. Maze was the Tide's leading receiver last season with 56-627 and was ninth nationally with an average of 13.2 yards on punt returns.
Like Dayne Crist, tight end Mike Ragone could follow Charlie Weis to Kansas. Weis recruited Ragone, who was a freshman with the Irish in 2007 and remained at South Bend through last season. Staying healthy has not come easy, however. The tight end tore an ACL in 2008 and missed the entire season. Last Sept. 10 against Michigan, Ragone again tore an ACL and was sidelined for the duration. Because he missed virtually two full seasons, Ragone has a year of eligibility remaining and, as a graduate, may transfer to Kansas where he could play immediately. Ragone is primarily a blocking tight end with only 11 career receptions.
Michigan dismissed Darryl Stonum after the receiver was in violation of his probation. Stonum has had one too many run-ins with the law, which is unfortunate because coach Brady Hoke planned to use him as a key contributor on offense and special teams next season much like former coach Rich Rodriguez did in 2010. Stonum was redshirted this past season after catching 49 passes for 633 yards and averaging 23.3 yards on 22 kick returns in '10. As a graduate student with one year of eligibility remaining, Stonum is free to transfer anywhere without sitting out a season.
Oregon quarterback Darron Thomas will enter the NFL draft. It's a move that is very surprising. Few if any pundits expected Thomas to declare. In fact, one NFL draft board had him ranked as the 12th-best quarterback -- for the 2013 class. Thomas is Oregon's all-time leader in touchdown passes with 66 and ranks seventh in passing yards with 5,910.
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