Monday, Dec. 6, 2010
CSNChicago.com
Putz headed to Arizona
J.J. Putz provided a veteran presence to the White Sox' bullpen last season, but this year, he is reportedly taking his talents to Arizona to pitch for the Diamondbacks. Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com tweeted out Monday evening that Putz signed a two-year deal with the Diamondbacks with a club option, pending a physical. (Twitter.comKen Rosenthal)
Cubs inquire about Loney
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The Cubs have reportedly inquired about Los Angeles Dodgers left-handed first baseman James Loney. Loney, who will be 27 next season, is coming off the worst year of his young career. He hit .267 with 10 home runs and 88 RBIs in 2010. His career batting average is .288 with a .348 OBP and .436 SLG. (LA Times)
Reinsdorf planning informal talk with Konerko
White Sox board chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said he would talk with the agent for Paul Konerko on Monday morning, but only informally and that assistant general manager Rick Hahn would take over negotiations.
Konerko made 12 million last season and finished fifth in American League MVP voting, which would likely get him a raise. Rumors have him ultimately settling for about 13 million for each of two or three years.
News
Hahn is the chief negotiator when it comes to contracts for the Sox. In fact, a last-minute phone call kept A. J. Pierzynski from signing last week with another team, presumably the Dodgers. A creative deal quickly was worked out to bring back Pierzynski, one paying him 2 million next season and 6 million in 2012.
That could help free up the money to sign Konerko, something that could happen this week at the winter meetings," (ChicagoBreakingSports).
Kane injury 'not real serious.'
Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane will probably "be out for a little bit," according to coach Joel Quenneville, after sustaining what appeared to be a left-leg injury early in Sunday night's game against the Calgary Flames.
Quenneville wouldn't put a definitive amount of time on how long Kane would be out, other than to say he'd be out for "a bit" and that the injury was "not real serious," (CSNChicago.com).
Notre Dame will meet Miami in Sun Bowl
Notre Dame and Miami have accepted invitations to meet in the Sun Bowl on Dec. 31, giving the game a marquee matchup between two teams with plenty of history.
Both teams will take 7-5 records into the 77th annual game.
The game will mark the 24th meeting between the schools, but the first since 1990. It was announced in July that the schools were renewing their spirited and often fierce regular-season series with three games beginning in 2012 at Soldier Field in Chicago.
Notre Dame leads the all-time series 15-7-1, though the two schools have never met in a bowl, (Associated Press).
Gillick elected to Hall of Fame
Pat Gillick, whose teams won three World Series, was elected to the Hall of Fame by the Expansion Era committee Monday at baseball's winter meetings.
Gillick was general manager of the Blue Jays, Orioles, Mariners and Phillies, besides being in the front offices with the Astros and Yankees, (ChicagoBreakingSports).