After discussions of a Johan trade last week, conventional wisdom would have led one to believe the price-tag on the franchise ace to drive up so high all teams in negotiations would have said “The heck with this.” Wrong.  Just months after the Twins flirted with the possibility of acquiring a real stud, either the Yanks’ Phil Hughes or the Red Sox’s Jacoby Ellsbury, GM Bill Smith got too greedy.  Instead, he slept on it, perhaps conjuring up a counter that he thought may have been just too tantalizing to pass up.  I’d be willing to bet it was that very strategy which cost the Twins a future difference maker.  And I don’t care which angle you look at this deal from, they didn’t nearly get enough.  Carlos Gomez is definitely a major-league ready player, but doesn’t the Yanks’ Melky Cabrera equate to if not surpass his ability?  And wouldn’t you prefer a sure-fire future star in Phil Hughes included in a deal instead of question marks Phillip Humber, Kevin Mulvey, and an A-baller in Deolis Guerra?  Props to the Mets’ Omar Minaya for rectifying a crucial mistake, dealing outfielder Lastings Milledge for a package centered on Ryan Church.  Then again, he was most likely backed into a corner, with his job jeopardized unless he made a splash of this magnitude.  Despite Johan’s demands of a six year, $150 million contract, Omar’s decision will finally give the team from the east side of the Big Apple the #1 pitcher they’ve been coveting for the past pennant-races. 

Rumor Mill: Turns out all this Johan talk isn’t all that’s filling up sports message boards.  A rumor leaked last night that the Orioles finalized a deal sending their ace, Erik Bedard, to the Mariners for reliever George Sherrill (who would be their closer) and perhaps the most intriguing outfielder in the minors Adam Jones, among other prospects.  But now these grumblings have sparked nothing but controversy, causing one like myself to unsuccessfully sift through jumbles of inaccurate information.  The Santana deal will certainly impact this one, how much remains to be seen.  But if it were me, and this was true, pull the trigger Andy MacPhail (O’s GM)!  Adam Jones is worth it, and Adam Loewen and Hayden Penn can anchor your rotation in the upcoming years.  You just witnessed what can happen, so don’t be the next GM caught with your hand in the cookie jar. 

As Aaron Rodgers embarks on his third off-season as a pro, leading up to his fourth full-year, I can visualize the Cal-product questioning whether he will ever a get a chance to take the reign’s as a starting quarterback. Under normal circumstances, on almost any other team, Rodgers would have been taking first-team reps by now. No way he ever expected those first six hours in the draft room to feel as short as the four years he’s had to endure holding the clipboard, huh? So one begs the question, has he matured enough? After Carson Palmer was drafted by the Bengals, fans and the media alike predicted a short leash for the once incompetent Jon Kitna. And they guessed right. And though the state of Wisconsin will never succumb to slurping their Brett Favre kool-aid, I feel it’s time for the legend to hang up the cleats once and for all. He’s got all the records, his Super Bowl, and he didn’t walk off with another trophy, but nonetheless, he’s considered a first-ballot Hall of Famer, and would be elected in 2013. Aaron deserves his shot, and if Brett calls for that press-conference launching him to immortality, I will be the happiest Packer fan on the planet. Not that I don’t like Brett, I love the guy, but after living 17 years watching your favorite team have only one gunslinger behind center, you begin a chronic habit of highlighting the negatives, instead of treasuring his rocket balls or shovel passes. Let the youth movement begin!

With Johan Santana still presiding in the Twin Cities, the probability of him packing his bags continues to dwindle. Talks throughout the off-season have continued to flicker on and off, and Twins GM Bill Smith has yet to fully commit one of the three suitors for the southpaw’s services. Those remaining in contention? (it’s not difficult) The Yankees’ Brian Cashman, the Red Sox’s Theo Epstein, and the Mets’ Omar Minaya have all anted up, but a match has yet to reach heavenly heights. The problem? On top of acquiring the top pitcher in the game, the recipient would need to divvy up a substantial portion of their salary cap to resign him, precisely the reason an agreement has failed to reach fruition.  After all, if you don’t plan to resign him, what’s the point of dealing some top players? Not to mention, who other than these “Cash Cows,” could afford such an exorbitant luxury? All three have offered their own “a la Cart” package of sorts, each containing a main course. For the Yanks: future ace Phil Hughes (meatloaf), along with outfielder Melky Cabrera, and pitchers Ian Kennedy or Jeffrey Marquez. For the Bo-Sox: Jacoby Ellsbury (turkey) or Jon Lester (chicken)–can’t have both!–along with Jed Lowrie, Justin Masterson, and Michael Bowden. The team who no one has been talking about however, the New York Mets, have appeared to pull even with the AL Kings, but in order for a deal to get done, Minaya would have to fork over one of his steaks, outfielder Carlos Gomez or Fernando Martinez, along with side dish Deolis Guerra, Phil Humber, or Kevin Mulvey. These all appear to be smokescreens, but either way, the deal hinges on Smith, and unless he musters up the courage to pull the trigger, Santana will again dawn a Twins jersey in 2008.

Remember in the late stages of training camp, when a haze of uncertainty surrounded the upcoming year?  After a deja-vu 4-8 start in 2006, they showed us reasons for optimism after taking the final four.  All that seemed to hit rock bottom in the off-season.  Drafting a defensive lineman with a torn bicep, spurning the opportunity to get a superstar, even our star quarterback was livid.  Remember?  Then the season started, and this makeshift, inexperienced squad began to win.  Gained confidence.  This team with an average age of 26 years and 96 days wore pride on their sleeves week in and week out.  “Maybe we have a chance, after all,” said the pessimistic blubberers who once begged for a certain Randy Moss.  Sure, he’s done fine in New England, but I’ll take our own trio, making a fortune less, giving it all they’ve got.  And now, after finishing off a magical 14-4 run, it’s deemed a disappointment?  I’m sure after the first few weeks whizzed by, even St. Vince believed 14-4 to be a heresy.  The bottom line is, we’ve got a lot to be proud of.  This team overcame every form of adversity, and sure, we all dreamed of Brett going down in a blaze of glory, carrying the Lombardi trophy back home, but it just wasn’t meant to be.  However, the youngest team in the NFL has only scrapped the surface, and with the core in tact for several more years, let’s watch them prosper, enjoy it, and wait for our turn. It will come.

Rotoworld reports:

Head coach Tony Dungy has decided to return to the Colts
Owner Jim Irsay says that it’s not necessarily just for one season, despite previous reports. The news is somewhat surprising after Jim Caldwell got a lucrative deal to stay with the Colts. Profootballtalk.com hints Caldwell was telling others last week that he was set to take over as head coach in 2008. The Colts will now pay $7.5 million to their top two coaches as they move into their new stadium. No word yet on whether Dungy will spend any extra time away from the team. Jan. 21 - 4:09 pm et

Great news for the NFL, Tony is one of the few class acts out there. While Jim Caldwell certainly would have been the “sexier” choice for the job, Indianapolis brought back the right guy. Dungy has that rare blend of experience in big games, as well as comradery with his players, which should translate to more victories ahead with Peyton at the helm and Addai in the backfield.

While the Packers plow ahead in their pursuit of a title, some, like myself, are enamored by the team’s standing in the upcoming NFL Draft.  The draft always seems to be one of the highlights of my year, on which I designate my entire day to vegging out in front on the tube, soaking in as my knowledge on the selections as I can.  It’s always nice to get a leg up, and unlike this year, I’ve had time to dig up information on the Packers possible selections.  With the young Packers basically set at every position for the future, including running back after the surprising emergence of Ryan Grant, only one position jumps out to me.  It’s not an immediate need, but most can see that it will need some addressing in the coming years.  As I sift through the credible mock sources out there (NFL Draft Countdown and WalterFootball are two of the best), I see the same recurring theme for the Packers 1st rounder: Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona. Reggie Smith, DB, Oklahoma. Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy. Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas. (And my personal favorite) Jack Ikegwuonu, CB, Wisconsin. OK, I think we’ve established the Packers need a few fresh corners. Now for the hard part: who to take? All I know is I’m glad it’s not up to me, because if it was, I’d say go with the Wisconsinite and say the heck with it! I’ll leave it to the Draft Guru himself, Mr. Ted Thompson, who recently signed a 5-year extension I might add.  One thing I do know, Ted likes to focus his draft on the best players available, so with 9-10 quality corners and safeties, don’t be surprised if the top couple selections shore up the aging secondary. Hopefully with Ted’s genius and a little luck, the Packers will be sitting pretty with some new blood chomping at the bit to play in 2009 and beyond. 

It’s tempting for present-day athletes to make that jump from the college ranks to the pros.  Many sophomores and juniors who enter early don’t pan out, and it’s unfortunate.  The trend was set by the infamous Maurice Clarett, left, who bent the rules, his stock plummeted, and look how far he’s gotten.  In jail.  On the other hand, for those few exceptional juniors and perhaps sophomores, the transition isn’t as tough.  This is a very controversial topic, and no one has the right answer, but you can’t blame these kids for pursuing their multi-million dollar contracts.  It’s sad this is what it’s come to, but it is definitely evident.  So far, 53 underclassmen have declared early for the 2008 NFL draft.  52 juniors and one sophomore, tight-end Jermichael Finley out of Texas.  The most notable juniors: Darren McFadden, who’s projected as a top 5 pick, and Miami safety Kenny Phillips and Cal wide receiver DeSean Jackson, both expected to go in the first round.  Sure they are all explosive players, but just think how much better these players would be if they all stayed for their senior season?  Not only would they have the opportunity to get better, the NFL as a whole would be better, and the players would smarten up, and wouldn’t be tempted into doing dumb stuff like Clarett.  If it were up to me, everyone stays the full four years.  Not to mention, if a player’s career happened to be cut short by injury or what have you, they could get a job like the other 98% of the population.

Not only is this rule harming the NFL, it’s running rampant in the NBA.  Sure plenty of these frosh studs are great players, but the other half are left on the street primed for nothing other than trouble-making.  It’s a joke.  The world of sports is becoming a bunch of street punks making millions.  What’s the worst that could happen, really? Fifty less players are arrested for marijuana possession?  Commissioner Goodell, Stern try this and who knows, both leagues might be cleaned up within a few years.  Maybe it’s just a mindless proposition, but something needs to change to return the purity in sports. 

One down.  Two to go.  The ultimate goal is still attainable.  And the best part about it, although clique: the best is yet to come.  The Packers did their job, storming back to beat the Seahawks within the snowy confines of Lambeau, 42-20, and with the New York Giants pulling the upset against the Cowboys, the team has got to feel good returning home for a chance to head to Arizona.  Yes, they have been granted alot of luck, they are also good.  Very good.  This team is peaking in all areas, and once again, if they play up to the level they are capable of, another victory should be in store this coming Sunday.  Not because the Giants aren’t as good of a team as the Seahawks, I think they are better and have been on a roll the past weeks of the regular season through the playoffs.  The key I see in this game is which team is deeper, because when you get to the NFC and AFC Championship games, some starters may be missing, and it’s the role of the backups to step it up in their absence.  Whichever team’s reserve players prevail will be a major factor, especially considering the Giants will be without All-Pro tight-end Jeremy Shockey, as well as starting corner Sam Madison and nickel back Kevin Dockery.  And remember, Plaxico Burress, who has also been nursing his ankle and knee, was competely non-existent in Dallas, catching one pass for 5 yards.  He should be shutout again facing the Woodson/Harris tandem.  The main concern for the Packers should be bruiser Brandon Jacobs and his 6′4, 260 pound frame.  They will need to stack the box and control the tempo, just as they did to Shaun Alexander and Seattle last week.  I have no doubt in my mind they won’t be ready to accept that challenge.  The unsung heroes of last week’s game was the offensive line, who helped spring Ryan Grant to better than 200 yards rushing, a Packer postseason record.  And you don’t think Grant will be looking to go all out this week against his former team?  Once again, the only way I see the Giants pulling the upset is by disrupting Favre, but with the way this team is playing behind the home crowd, I just don’t see it.  Ice Bowl II (it’s forecasted to be in the low-teens Sunday) should be fun, just not for Giants fans 1,000 miles away.

Doug Melvin is finally showing the rest of the league the Brewers aren’t messing around anymore.  They are ready to contend, and after off-season signings of veterans Jason Kendall, Eric Gagne, Salomon Torres, David Riske and now perennial Gold Glove center-fielder Mike Cameron, the mix of youth and vets is approaching the break even point.  Cameron, 35, will allow Ryan Braun to move to left field, shifting Bill Hall back to third base.  This signing could be the move that puts the Brewers over the top, and a low risk one at that, because the duration of the deal is one-year.  Although he didn’t come cheap at $6 million (with bonuses), Cameron will provide defensive stability around the horn, the Achilles-heal of the team last year.  Braun, although deemed with NL Rookie of the Year honors, committed 26 errors at the hot corner last year, with Hall, new to his position as well, committing nine.  The only negative I see in this deal, for the time being, is it blocks the slot saved for 1st baseman converted left-fielder Matt LaPorta.  LaPorta, who will start the season in A, probably won’t be recalled for at least a year and a half, which probably rectifies Melvin’s thinking with Cameron signed for a maximum of two years (2009 option).  Cameron also provides a bit of pop, as he launched 21 homers along with 78 RBIs for the San Diego Padres last year.  One would expect those numbers to rise playing in the hitter friendly confines of Miller Park compared to PETCO, which is scorned by all major-league sluggers.  A large incentive to play in Milwaukee perhaps?  I’m sure the money was the most enticing, but the idea of “padded” stats should be reassuring to Cameron that he made the right choice.

Now, with the Ned’s card essentially set, let’s take a quick look at the projected 2007-2008 lineup:

C: Jason Kendall (signed from Cubs)
1B: Prince Fielder
2B: Rickie Weeks
SS: J.J. Hardy
3B: Bill Hall (move from CF to 3B)
LF: Ryan Braun (move from 3B to LF)
CF: Mike Cameron (signed from Padres)
RF: Corey Hart

I like what I see, but let’s not get our undies in a bundle until they have gelled together and produce on the field.  Remember, this team always trends toward starting fast, so unless they can limit the prolonged losing streaks, fans will most likely witness another slow, painful downgrade in the second-half. 

With the Milwaukee Brewers and Green Bay Packers living up to and exceeding their yearly expectations, the last of the Wisconsin Sports trifecta has yet to get over the hump this year.  The Milwaukee Bucks, who began the season with a promising young nucleus, have failed miserably so much this year that I have refrained from writing about their struggles- until now.  With Michael Redd, Andrew Bogut, Charlie Villanueva, a healthy Bobby Simmons, a resigned Mo Williams, along with rookie sensation Yi Jianlian in the fold for 2007-2008, things appeared to be going up for the Bucks.  But with the leash already short for management coming into the year, the controversy has begun to resurface within the state of Wisconsin, especially Milwaukee, questioning whether GM Larry Harris can find the right mix of guys to carry the team back into the playoffs, with enough balance to make a run.  I’ve always been a backer of Harris, who has made solid trades and draft picks for the duration of his tenure, but something needs to change after a 13-20 start to the season.  If it were up to me, you have to trade Michael Redd.  The problem I see is uneven distribution of the ball.  Trade Redd for a true point-guard, not one that shoots as much as he passes (Mo Williams).  Trading Redd would allow Mo to move to shooting-guard, a position he has handled well in the past, thus making him the primary scorer on this team.  Redd still has good trade value because he remains one of the lone pure shooters in the NBA, but I feel in order for the Bucks to get back on track, they need versatile guys.  I would hate to see Harris let go, because I feel he is a more than capable to get this franchise turned around.  The biggest mistake he made in retrospect was trading T.J. Ford to Toronto for Villanueva, because the current lack at the point-guard position has precisely made this team what it has become, average at best.