Truth & Rumors: Sept 20, 2004

MLB

Nomar's stay in the Windy City could be a short one. Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images • Pete McEntegart: The 10 Spot -- Mon., Sept. 20 • Truth & Rumors: Red Sox, Cubs face big changes • Chris Ballard: Don't give up on Garcia yet • Richard Deitsch: An open letter to Barry Bonds • Stephen Cannella: A new sports movie classic • More Blogs: Ballard | Elliott | Bechtel | Chen Click here for Today's Sign of the Apocalypse, Game to Watch, Leading Off gallery and much more!

Cubs GM Jim Hendry could turn over one-third of the team's roster for 2005, depending on how it fares down the stretch. The Cubs' eight key potential free agents include Nomar Garciaparra, Moises Alou, Matt Clement, Mark Grudzielanek and Todd Walker.
-- Chicago Tribune

The Orioles are considering adding another catcher to split the load with Javy Lopez next season, with some of the free-agent possibilities including Seattle's Dan Wilson, Minnesota's Henry Blanco and Toronto's Gregg Zaun.
-- Baltimore Sun

The second coming of Bobby Valentine as Mets manager is "probably not likely," GM Jim Duquette said. Duquette expressed optimism that Al Leiter will return, but the Mets are unlikely to pick up Leiter's $10 million option.
-- New York Daily News

Duquette spoke with former Pirates and Marlins manager Jim Leyland, who suggested the Mets hire former Pirates and White Sox manager Gene Lamont, now an Astros coach.
-- Newsday

Although the Indians won't exercise the option clause on his contract, Omar Vizquel wants to remain with them.
-- Akron Beacon Journal

Utility infielder Lou Merloni, eligible for arbitration, would like to return to the Indians next year.
-- Cleveland Plain Dealer

Jeromy Burnitz raised the possibility of retirement before Sunday's game. Given the Rockies' budget constraints, Burnitz has become a long shot to return. The Rockies plan to use money saved in the Larry Walker trade to re-sign Joe Kennedy and fellow arbitration-eligible pitchers Jason Jennings and Shawn Chacon.
-- Denver Post

The most tradable Tigers heading into the 2004 offseason are Eric Munson, Alex Sanchez and Jason Johnson, with Bobby Higginson and Mike Maroth also having value.
-- Detroit News

With 13 players on the active roster eligible for free agency -- Pedro Martinez, Jason Varitek, Derek Lowe, Orlando Cabrera, Pokey Reese and Scott Williamson among them -- this is the last run for these Red Sox as we know them.
-- Boston Herald

A move to the Yankees might be attractive to Martinez because he'd no longer have to pitch against them. In his past 20 starts against the Bombers, Pedro is 5-7.
-- New York Daily News

Though the Dodgers' priority will be to re-sign Adrian Beltre, it's hard to imagine Los Angeles not having interest in Varitek
-- Boston Globe

NFL

The Ravens might be searching for a fifth defensive back because Deion Sanders has a hamstring injury and coach Brian Billick made a major mistake by cutting safety Gerome Sapp last Thursday after a heated debate involving the Ravens' coaching staff and front-office personnel. The consensus was to cut veteran cornerback Corey Fuller. But Billick chose to keep Fuller because of his close relationship with Sanders.
-- Baltimore Sun

Ready or not, Ben Roethlisberger will become the first of the NFL's new class of rookie quarterbacks to start a game this season next week. Baltimore knocked out Steelers' incumbent starter Tommy Maddox with an elbow injury on Sunday.
-- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Redskins quarterback Mark Brunell is expected to undergo more testing to gauge the severity of a strained left hamstring, which forced him out of Sunday's loss to the Giants.
-- Washington Post

Bears free safety Mike Brown, the team's emotional leader who has not missed a game in his career, is expected to be sidelined the rest of the season with a torn right Achilles' tendon.
-- Chicago Sun-Times

An MRI on Monday is expected to shed more light on Saints running back Deuce McAllister, who left Sunday's game with a high right ankle sprain.
-- New Orleans Times-Picayune

The Jaguars complained that the block that broke defensive end Paul Spicer's right leg was a "cheap shot." Denver fullback Reuben Droughns insisted the injury was a freak accident.
-- Rocky Mountain News

The loss of Jets All-Pro center Kevin Mawae, who broke a bone in his snapping hand, could be devastating. He's the key to the running game because of his mobility.
-- Newark Star-Ledger

Dolphins head coach Dave Wannstedt said A.J. Feeley did just enough Sunday night against the Bengals to merit another start.
-- South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Matt Hasselbeck's contract is up at the end of the season, but the Seahawks, who also will have issues with Shaun Alexander and Walter Jones, have not reworked an extension for the former Boston College quarterback.
-- Boston Globe

NBA

Shaquille O'Neal said, "I haven't talked to Karl [Malone] yet, but I would like Karl to join me in Miami." Malone remains unsigned, sought by the Lakers, Heat, Spurs and Timberwolves. The Lakers are confident that he will re-sign with them.
-- Los Angeles Daily News

The gap between the NBA and its referees on a new collective bargaining agreement now seems to be widening.
-- Philadelphia Daily News

The Sonics are expected to offer a two-year contract to Turkish swingman Ibrahim Kutluay, who made 12 of 23 3-pointers and averaged 22.5 points in Turkey's two pre-Olympic games against the U.S.
-- Seattle Times

While all but a couple of Celtics have gathered for pre-training camp workouts and scrimmages, Gary Payton is still out West.
-- Boston Globe

NHL

The stalemate appears headed toward the NHL declaring an impasse and moving to open for business again with a self-imposed contract, cap included. The Players' Association either will head to court to block the tactic, which in essence is the league's attempt to break the union, or, if the union senses the court will uphold the impasse, NHLPA boss Bob Goodenow and his lieutenant Ted Saskin would inform the membership there is no choice but to return to the table and negotiate the best possible deal, cap included.
-- Boston Globe

Nashville's Scott Walker said, "If the owners are playing a high-stakes game of chicken, they'd be better off playing it with anybody else in the world besides hockey players. Because of all sports, we're probably the most stubborn, pig-headed players."
-- The Globe & Mail

The Junior A North American Hockey League today will announce the sale of a team in Santa Fe, N.M., to Kings head coach Andy Murray, Avalanche defenseman Rob Blake, Bruins forward Glen Murray and ex-NHLer Nelson Emerson.
-- Albuquerque Journal

Soccer

Saying he could not control the dressing room and had lost the support of the club heavyweights, Real Madrid manager Jose Antonio Camacho resigned Monday and has been replaced by unheralded assistant Mariano Garcia Remon. Camacho did not play David Beckham or team captain Raśl in Saturday's 1-0 loss at Espanyol.
-- The Guardian (UK)

There can be no doubt now that the love affair between Real Madrid and their original English golden boy is now over.
-- The Telegraph (UK)

After his Manchester City team beat Crystal Palace 2-1, embattled manager Kevin Keegan said, "I guess this win means a stay of execution for me. But I intend to stick out the remaining two years of my contract here and there's absolutely no way I'll walk away before then."
-- The Mirror (UK)

An investigation by the News of the World has claimed to reveal that Premier League players are ignoring FA rules by placing huge football-related bets.
-- The Independent (UK)