Hot Stove Diamond Notes – 1/5

 

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The Kansas City Royals have signed former Red Sox pitcher Hideo Nomo to a one-year minor league deal and have invited him to camp as well. Nomo last pitched in the majors in 2005 with Tampa Bay.

The Royals also signed free agent catcher Miguel Olivo to a 1-year contract with options for 2009.

The Chicago White Sox sent three minor leaguers to Oakland for 1B/OF Nick Swisher. Swisher is expected to be the everyday center fielder for the Sox. Chicago received left-hander Gio Gonzalez and right-hander Fautino De Los Santos, along with OF Ryan Sweeney.

Oakland GM Billy Beane may not be done dealing either. There’s a rumor he’s interested in Boston OF Coco Crisp. I wonder if Joe Blanton is still on the table?

The Cincinnati Reds signed former Yankee 1B Andy Phillips, RHP Jim Brower, LHP Adam Pettyjohn, INF Andy Green and INF Jolbert Cabrera to minor league contracts and invited them to spring training.

Free agent OF Luis Gonzalez is interested in Milwaukee but Milwaukee is unsure if they’re interested in him. Gonzalez played for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2007.

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“Other” Allen Powers Celtics To Win

Tony Allen goes for the dunk against Memphis - Getty PhotoWhen one Allen has a down night, another Allen is there to pick him up. That was the case as Ray Allen was nearly held scoreless but Tony Allen knocked back 20 points off the bench as the Boston Celtics beat the Memphis Grizzlies 100-96 before 18,624 at the TD BankNorth Garden in Boston on Friday night.

Tony Allen had 15 of his points in the second quarter as he helpd Boston get ahead of the Grizz and stay there. The Celtics trailed for most of the 1st quarter and into the 2nd before Allen went on a 13 point run in a seven minute span as his three pointer put the C’s up 39-37 with just under five minutes to play before the half.

In addition to Allen, the Bostonians were led by captain Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett who each had 23 points. Ray Allen, who went 0-9 from the floor, managed to knock back a couple free throws in the games final seconds to finish with two points on the night as the Green improved to 28-3.

It was a better night for a different former UConn star as Rudy Gay led the Grizzlies with 21 points, Juan Carlos Navarro had 20 off the bench and Mike Miller finished with 16 as he became the 43rd NBA player to make 1,000 career 3 point shots.

The Celtics flew to Detroit right after the game to face the Pistons tomorrow night in the Motor City. The Celtics will be looking for revenge as the Pistons were the last team to beat them and they did so on Boston’s home court.

As The Santana Turns – Hank Really Wants Him

As The Santana Turns @ SOX & Dawgs

Hank Loves Santana, Hank Doesn't Love SantanaI just saw this come across my feeds so I thought I’d share this with everyone courtesy of Peter Abraham.

“Nothing is really decided at this point,” Hank Steinbrenner blabbed. “I’m still leaning towards doing it. There’s others leaning not to do it. There are some others that are leaning to do it also. Disagreements within the organization. Nothing major, but just different opinions. I’ve changed my opinion a couple times.” Steinbrenner made it perfectly clear that it’s his call. “I always told (GM Brian Cashman”, ‘I’m going to make the final decisions because when you’re the owner you should.’ He is the general manager, and he has the right to talk me out of it and he has talked me out of some things.”

I wonder if Hank is sitting there pulling flower petals, going yes we should trade for him, no we shouldn’t, yes we should, no we shouldn’t. Obviously this flower petal he used came out with a yes we should trade for him.

In The Red Zone – Wilfork’s Wallet Lighter

Vince Wilfork - Globe PhotoThe NFL announced today that they had fined New England Patriots nose tackle Vince Wilfork $15,000 for what they determined was unsportsmanlike conduct during the Patriots 16th win over the New York Giants last Saturday.

The incident happened when Patriots linebacker Junior Seau was penalized for holding down Giants tight end Kevin Boss late in the first half. There was some pushing and shoving by both teams and Wilfork was seen poking his finger through the helmet of Brandon Jacobs.

Wilfork said it was an accident but obviously the league decided otherwise. It’s not known whether or not Wilfork will appeal the fine.

This was also the third time he’s been fined this season by the NFL. His first fine was $12,500 back in September when he delivered a low-blow hit on Bills QB J.P. Losman, a hit that knocked Losman from the game. He was also fined $5,000 for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty during the Dallas game.

Breaking News: Clemens Asked To Testify To Congress

Roger Clemens - Reuters Photo with illustration from SOX & Dawgs

According to the AP, The House Oversight Committee has asked Roger Clemens and Brian McNamee to testify in front of them on January 16th.

Commissioner Bud Selig, union leader Donald Fehr and former Senate majority leader George Mitchell will be in front of the same panel on January 15th.

Things are getting good folks.

Update: Andy Pettitte, Chuck Knoblauch and Kirk Radomski were also asked to testify with Clemens and McNamee.

As The Santana Turns – Hank Wants Him

As The Santana Turns @ SOX & Dawgs

It’s time for a weekly recap on “As The Santana Turns” here at SOX & Dawgs.

Nothing really new to report on the talks according to Nick Cafardo from the Boston Globe:

Peter Greenberg, Santana’s agent, reported “nothing going on that I know of” when asked if there was anything he was involved with.Greenberg will likely need to get involved as soon as any deal is agreed upon to determine whether Boston, the Yankees, Mets or another team can sign his client to a long-term deal. Greenberg has indicated it would take a starting bid of 7 years, $140 million to get a deal done for the two-time Cy Young award winner. It’s a price the Red Sox are apparently willing to pay. What they might not be willing to pay is the price of prospects. Their offers are still out there – the Jon Lester, Coco Crisp, Jed Lowrie, and Justin Masterson scenario would be preferable to the Jacoby Ellsbury, Masterson, Lowrie and another player scenario. Both sides also appear to be open to expanding the deal to include other players.

I would expect some sort of deal to take place in the near future as all the parties involved would like to get their rosters situated before heading to their respective spring training camps. The Sox start camp in Ft. Myers on February 14th when the pitchers and catchers will report.

And Hank Steinbrenner opened his mouth again, saying this time that the Yankees have the best offer on the table for Santana.

“I think the Twins realize our offer is the best one,” Steinbrenner said Wednesday in a telephone interview. “I feel confident they’re not going to trade him before checking with us one last time and I think they think we’ve already made the best offer.”

Steinbrenner said the offer “does not include two of the three young pitchers” – Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy, from a group that also includes untouchable Joba Chamberlain – “but it’s still the best one. And let’s face it, we’re the best able to handle the kind of contract (extension) Santana will be after.”

I am not sure the Yankees offer is the best offer out there but I can say that they do have the resources available to meet the contract demands.

Red Sox News & Notes – 1/4

Red Sox News & Notes @ SOX & Dawgs

It’s been a while since there’s been some Red Sox news posted on the site, mainly because I had been laying low the past few days relaxing, recharging the batteries for a happy and successful 2008.

Former Red Sox pitcher Matt Clement has a new home in St. Louis as the Cardinals signed him to a 1 year deal that is worth a guaranteed $1.5 million.

Clement will receive $1.25 million in 2008 and the chance to earn $5.25 million more in bonuses based on innings pitched. The Cardinals have an $8.75 million option for 2009 with a $250,000 buyout. The option would increase to $9 million and the buyout $500,000 if Clement reaches 160 innings this season; $9.5 million and $1 million for 180 innings; $10 million and $1.5 million for 200 innings and $11 million and $2 million if Clement finishes in the top five in 2008 Cy Young Award balloting.

According to Peter Gammons, Manny Ramirez has turned into a workout whore this offseason.

Manny rented a house in the Phoenix area and has become a maniacal workout warrior in Tempe Arizona at the Athletes’ Performance Institute (API). From what I’ve heard from people at API, Manny is getting himself into phenomenal shape. And having watched those workouts, I can tell you, they are extremely difficult.

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In The Red Zone – 1/4

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New England Patriots offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Josh McDaniels has notified the Atlanta Falcons and Baltimore Ravens that he will not interview for any open head coaching positions for 2008.

Atlanta and Baltimore had asked New England permission this week to talk to McDaniels and because it is for a head coaching position New England has to honor the request but McDaniels is not compelled to interview if he so chooses. He has chosen to stay put and prepare for the playoffs.

“I am very grateful for the chance to interview for NFL head coaching positions, but I have decided not to pursue those opportunities at this time,” McDaniels, 31, said in a statement Thursday. “I plan to focus all my attention on our postseason preparation.”

Clubs hiring new head coaches can interview assistants from teams that have a playoff bye this week, but must do so by Saturday.

McDaniels joined the New England organization as a personnel assistant in the scouting department. He became the quarterbacks coach in 2004 and was named offensive coordinator in January 2006.

Can’t get enough of Richard Seymour? Well the Patriots defensive end will be part of the ESPN Sunday Morning Countdown team this weekend for the Wild Card round of the playoffs. I love Richard if I didn’t have such a man crush on Brady I’d have his jersey. He’s soft spoken but very articulate I look forward to seeing him on the set. Maybe as a bonus he can beat the hell out of Chris Berman, Tom Jackson and Emmitt Smith.

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The National Lampoons Sports Minute (Or So) – 1/4

National Lampoons Sports Minute

Written by Steve Hofstetter, Keith Alberstadt, Adam Hofstetter, Cody Marley, Ryan Murphy, Elliot Steingart, and Chris Strait

The Detroit Lions fired offensive coordinator Mike Martz after going 1-7 in the second half. Martz was surprised as it was Detroit’s best second half in ten years. The Detroit Lions had started the season 6-2 before suddenly remembering they were the Detroit Lions.

The San Francisco 49ers did not fire coach Mike Nolan, instead blaming their 5-11 season on global warming.

Marion Jones has asked a judge not to give her jail time, saying her disgrace was punishment enough. Which will set up a very convincing insanity plea. Yes, humiliation is a true substitute for jail time. Luckily for Jones, this is the same judge that ordered an armed robber to be publicly nooggied. In fairness, Jones was stripped of all of her medals. And there’s no replacing those – except with the millions of dollars she got to keep.

Munich is a strong candidate for the 2018 Olympics. Because that went so well last time.

The New York Knicks are so bad, they’re the forth best basketball team in the New York area, behind the Nets, the Liberty, and the NYU Violets. The Knicks are so bad that they make Miami look like they have a good team. A good football team.

And the Boston Celtics have the best record in the Eastern Conference. In fairness, most of their games are against teams in the Eastern Conference.

For more of the Sports Minute (Or So), visit minuteorso.com

Clemens Says Injections Were Legal Drugs

In his interview with “60 Minutes” Mike Wallace, Roger Clemens says that the only thing Brian McNamee injected him with was lidocaine and B-12.

“Lidocaine and [vitamin] B-12. It’s for my joints, and B-12 I still take today,”

Here is a look at the teaser video for the interview. The full interview will be shown on 60 Minutes this Sunday on CBS. The show starts at 7 PM.

I wonder if that was the same B-12 that Rafael Palmeiro shot up with that turned out to allegedly be steroids.