Water Cooler – August 19th, 2010
Here we go with today’s sports water cooler talk. Here, you won’t just find the straight news; you’ll find the stuff everyone is talking about – the ice breakers, the Twitter Sports Picks and topics…well, basically all the stuff you discuss at the water cooler.
Enjoy!
As rumored, the Braves now officially have a new first baseman. The Derek Lee trade headlines today’s news.
MLB news: Cubs, Braves complete Derek Lee trade; union protests Mets’ handling of K-Rod 
As expected, Derek Lee decided not to veto a trade to the National League East-leading Atlanta Braves. He’ll play every day as the Braves’ first baseman down the stretch. Troy Glaus, who had played first for most of the year, goes to the disabled list. Atlanta plans to convert him back to a third baseman and wants him to take a week to “rest his legs” before doing so.
In exchange for Lee, the Cubs received minor-league pitchers Tyrelle Harris, Robinson Lopez and Jeffrey Orrick.
Most fans probably think Francisco Rodriguez is pretty darned irresponsible. I certainly do; he was on my fantasy baseball team. After all, the guy just cost himself his season by punching out his girlfriend’s dad and tearing a thumb ligament.
The Mets weren’t too happy about it and are working hard to convert his contract into a non-guaranteed deal.
The MLB players’ union doesn’t think that’s fair and has filed a grievance against the Mets for their actions.
NBA news: Carmelo Anthony wants to play for Rockets; Rudy Fernandez wants out of the NBA
The Carmelo Anthony rumors aren’t going away. It’s public knowledge that he almost certainly won’t sign an extension with the Denver Nuggets and his contract expires after this season. He’s been linked to the New York Knicks but two new teams have entered the mix.
According to Sports Illustrated, Melo is open to long-term contracts with the Houston Rockets or New Jersey Nets if either team can successfully acquire him from Denver.
My biggest question: does either of those teams have the assets to net Melo?
Rudy Fernandez has publicly demanded a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers for a few months. Now, his demands got bigger. He wants a trade…to Europe.
The Spaniard is reportedly homesick and is willing to sit out the entire 2010-11 season if the Blazers don’t free him from his deal.
NFL news: Vikings players “Don’t trust” Brad Childress
An interesting story developing in Minnesota Vikings camp – mainly on the strength of anonymous testimony from players – is that coach Brad Childress doesn’t have the room.
According to different sources, Brett Favre almost didn’t return to the team not because of his own ankle, but because he doesn’t respect Chlidress’ grasp of an NFL offense.
Also, Childress and his staff got caught lying to the media.
When Ryan Longwell, Steve Hutchinson and Jared Allen were on a plane to Mississippi to get Favre, Childress said all three guys were “inside the Vikings’ practice facility.” Weird.
Comments are welcome below!
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