Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010
CSNChicago.com
Cubs making a push for Vazquez
Despite a diminishing budget for the 2011 season, the Cubs are reportedly attempting to court Javier Vazquez to add to their starting rotation, as CubbiesCrib.com reports from Bruce Levin on ESPN Radio 1000.
Beyond Ryan Dempster and Carlos Zambrano, the Cubs' rotation is pretty open, the blog states, and Vazquez could slide in the No. 3 spot. However, the team is also allegedly interested in Jeremy Bonderman, Kevin Millwood, Jon Garland and Vicente Padilla to fill the same need, according to MLB Daily Dish.
Vazquez was a Cy Young candidate in 2009 with the Atlanta Braves, compiling a 2.87 ERA while running up a 15-10 record. Last season with the Yankees, he went just 10-10 with a 5.32 ERA.
Vazquez spent the 2006-08 seasons with the White Sox. (Cubbies Crib)
Putz heading to Arizona?
MLB
The Arizona Diamondbacks have already made it clear that they were interested in White Sox free agent first baseman Paul Konerko, but now they are reportedly turning their attention to free agent reliever J.J. Putz, according to multiple National League sources.
Putz lives in a northwest suburb of Phoenix in the offseason, so that may be a deciding factor for the right-handed veteran. He can close as well as set-up, so he could wind up being very valuable to whatever team he ends up with. (Chicago Tribune)
Sunday's Packers - Vikings game last for Favre?
The Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings played for the 100th time on Sunday, but the big question is whether or not it will be the last one for Brett Favre.
Favre has announced that he will retire after this season, but he has made that announcement several times before and still continues to play. So unless the two teams meet in the playoffs, this could be Favre's last Packers-Vikings game.
The game itself is the least hyped matchup between the two teams in several years. The Packers are 6-3, while the Vikings are struggling at 3-6. That might explain why Favre barely blinked when asked if he thought about possibly playing the Packers for the final time.
"No, I haven't really," Favre said. "We obviously need a win. That's my focus and hopefully our team's focus. We can't be concerned about anything else but winning the football game. There's no time to think about those types of things," (Player Press).
Canucks coach not happy with the Blackhawks
Canucks coach Alain Vigneault wasn't too happy with the players the Hawks were using on the power play with the game in hand Saturday.
His words only make the Hawks-Canucks rivalry more compelling.
"Obviously we're going to have to find a way to play better at home against that team," Vigneault said after the Hawks demolished his team 7-1.
"We basically embarrassed ourselves tonight in front of our fans, and they did everything they could tonight to rub it in our face -- 6-0 and they throw their No. 1 power play unit out there when it's a 5-on-3 power play. They have every right to do that. They did it. They were pushing it, and they did," (Chicago Sun-Times).
White Sox add three players to 40-man roster
The Chicago White Sox added three players to their 40-man roster in advance of Friday's 10:59 p.m. CT deadline to set their roster and protect players from the Rule 5 Draft.
The team purchased the contracts of right-handed pitcher Anthony Carter and shortstop Eduardo Escobar from Double-A Birmingham and right-handed pitcher Nate Jones from Class A Winston-Salem.
The White Sox now have 34 players on their 40-man roster, (ChiSox.com).
Boozer close to practicing
Sidelined power forward Carlos Boozer says he hopes to practice with the Bulls soon, telling CSNChicago.com's Aggrey Sam, "The great thing about my injury is Ive been able to run a lot and stay in shape as good as I can, so when I get back out there to practicehopefully very soon; maybe in a week, week and a half, Ill be able to practice sometime this week Im hopingI wont be too far behind," (CSNChicago.com).
NFL using electronic forensics in Favre-Sterger investigation
NFL investigators are using high-tech methods to trace the electronic trail behind purported X-rated photos and voice mails sent to former Jets sideline reporter Jenn Sterger and if they originated from Favre's cell phone.
Sterger's lawyer told the Daily News earlier this month that "substantial materials" were turned over to the NFL for its investigation, (NY Daily News).
White Sox ticket prices expected to increase
White Sox single-game tickets have yet to go on sale. But fans should expect a small increase price-wise from what they paid in 2010.
"We haven't announced our game prices at this time, but our philosophy for the last six or seven years has been a small incremental jump each year," said White Sox vice president and chief marketing officer Brooks Boyer, entering his eighth season in this capacity. "We are looking at making sure we have scenarios where families can get out to the ballpark.
"Our Value Mondays and our family packs will continue. You come in groups, and there's some cost savings there. It's going to be what our fans have come to expect," (ChiSox.com).