Water Cooler – January 11th, 2011
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.
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Enjoy & Happy New Year!
Today’s Sports News
MLB news: Edgar Renteria signs with Reds; Brad Penny joins Tigers
It was rumored for at least a week but Edgar Renteria is now officially a Cincinnati Red. The 2010 World Series MVP has agreed to a one-year deal in a reduced role. He’ll back up Paul Janish at shortstop; the pair will replace the departing Orlando Cabrera.
The Tigers snagged starting pitcher Brad Penny this week. Penny signed a one-year pact for $3 million. The big 32-year-old hurler was 3-4 with a 3.23 ERA over nine starts with the St. Louis Cardinals last year. Penny, however, has never fared well in the American League. He went 7-8 with a 5.61 ERA over 24 starts with the Boston Red Sox before they traded him in 2009.
NBA news: Carmelo Anthony trade back on hold? Bobcats/Grizzlies game gets 1,000 fans
Maybe we got carried away reporting the Nuggets/Nets/Pistons megadeal that would’ve sent Carmelo Anthony, Richard Hamilton and Chauncey Billups to New Jersey. Turns out the deal isn’t imminent after all.
Anthony said he doesn’t feel the deal will get done anytime soon and that he “doesn’t really know” if he would sign a three-year, $65-million extension to facilitate a trade. One reason for the snag: Billups is a Denver boy who wants to retire in his hometown. He likely wouldn’t be happy if sent to New Jersey.
Also, the Nuggets are frustrated with how “public” the negotiations have become. Reportedly, they’ve threatened to trade Anthony to New York instead if the dealings don’t become more private. It looks like this saga is set to continue for a while yet.
NHL news: Rangers, Coyotes swap Rozsival for Wolski
For the second straight season, enigmatic forward Wojtek Wolski has found himself traded. The Phoenix Coyotes shipped the former Avalanche first-rounder to the New York Rangers for defenseman Michal Rozsival yesterday.
Wolski has just six goals and 16 points so far this year after tallying 65 points in 80 games last season. The Rangers hope a change of scenery will do wonders for him. After Colorado traded Wolski to Phoenix last season, he exploded for 18 points in 18 games.
In Rozsival the Coyotes get an inconsistent blueliner but a big one with four seasons of 30 or more points under his belt.
NCAA football news: Les Miles staying at LSU; Pittsburgh hires Graham from Tulsa
Even if Les Miles talks openly about his affinity for Michigan, he’s decided not to leave Louisiana State. The LSU Tigers announced this morning that Miles will return in 2011. He led them to an 11-2 record and a Cotton Bowl win over Texas A&M this season.
They didn’t get Marvin Lewis but the Pittsburgh Panthers have found a replacement for Dave Wannstedt. Pitt has successfully poached Todd Graham from Tulsa. Graham went 36-17 in four seasons at Tulsa; he went 10-3 this year and helped the Golden Hurricane upset Notre Dame this season.
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