Joe Arrigo’s O.T.S. (On The Sidelines) Sports Rumors Report

I have decided to expand the O.T.S. rumors report into an all sports rumors segment.

RUMOR:

n.

A piece of unverified information of uncertain origin usually spread by word of mouth.
Unverified information received from another; hearsay.

 

 

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The Los Angeles Dodgers were in on Kevin Youkilis until Sunday afternoon when the Chicago White Sox agreed to send a second player in exchange for the Boston Red Sox eating $5.5 million of Youkilis’ salary. I was told that the Dodgers now are turning their focus to Josh Willingham of the Minnesota Twins. The Dodgers need to add another power bat to their line-up and Willingham could be that guy that could play first base and hit 5th in their line-up. It comes down to what the Twins are asking for and if they want to deal him.

 

The Dodgers and Twins also have talked in recent weeks about a deal that could send Francisco Liriano to L.A. for a couple prospects. Liriano hasn’t pitched bad since being brought back into the rotation after being demoted to the bullpen. Liriano would give the Dodgers another strong arm to go with reigning Cy Young award winner Clayton Kershaw and the surprising Chris Capuano.

 

A name to watch in either deal with the Twins (or anyone other Dodgers deal) could be Chad Billingsley. I was told that the organization is growing frustrated with Billingsley and feel that a change of scenery may be need for both him and the team.

 

I am hearing a name that is available and could be had for a reasonable price is Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro. He is not having the type of year we are accustomed to Ichiro having, but teams in need of offense like the Nationals, Dodgers, Mets, Giants and even the Yankees all have an interest. Given his age (38), ownerships lack of willingness to deal him and he would have to approve any deal makes it tough for the Mariners. But Ichiro wants to win a World Series and he could welcome a chance to play for a contender, increase his marketability in free agency (should he play well) and most importantly wanting to continue playing and reach 3,000 hits.

 

 

The Milwaukee Brewers are in a stretch which will decide whether they will be sellers or buyers at the trade deadline. They have a huge chip in starting pitcher Zack Greinke and could fetch a young arm and positional player in any deal. A source who is tied into MLB circles has told me that they have talked to the Dodgers, Rangers, Pirates, Tigers and Nationals all have spoke to the Brewers. The Dodgers and Rangers have some pieces that fit what the Brewers would be looking for in return. I was told that the mentioned teams are not worried about his anxiety issues.

 

I spoke to a former MLB scout and asked him about Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper and the Angels Mike Trout. He said that Trout is “Dale Murphy while Harper is Pete Rose”.  He said “They are the real deal and have all the tools you look for in players. They have each have hell of future and should become the faces of MLB.” He said that the thing that separates Harper from Trout “is Harper’s power & arm” while he says Trout has “way better speed.”

 

 

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The NBA Draft is on Thursday and I have heard that the Los Angeles Lakers are trying to trade back into the first round for a Point Guard. A couple names I hear the PG’s they like include Austin Rivers, Marquis Teague, Tony Wroten and Tyshawn Taylor. The rumor making the rounds has the Lakers and Heat talking about a deal (at #27).

 

I have also heard that the Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves have talked about a deal that would send last years #2 overall pick power forward (and L.A. native) Derrick Williams, the #18 overall pick and Wesley Johnson to L.A. for power forward/center Pau Gasol. I was told that that Lakers feel they need a PF that can shoot and play away from the basket to free up Andrew Bynum, which Williams can do. The players I hear the Lakers like at that pick include PF Perry Jones III (Baylor) and Quincy Miller (Baylor). Gasol and Ricky Rubio (the Wolves PG) play together for the Spain National team and Gasol would add leadership to the young Minnesota team.

 

I am hearing that the Bobcats are targeting North Carolina SF Harrison Barnes and would like to move back a few slots to select him. He worked out for them this past week and “wowed” the Bobcats upper management. I was also told that former Tar Heel and NBA great (the Bobcats owner) Michael Jordan has signed off on drafting him if GM Rich Cho chooses to do so.

 

I hear to small forwards will be on the move draft day, the Bulls Luol Deng and the 76ers Andre Iguodala. Word is Golden State and the Bulls are talking about Deng, while the Lakers, Clippers and Raptors are in on Iguodala. If the Lakers deal for Iguodala it would include Pau Gasol.

 

 

 

Join me on The Average Joe Show this Tuesday at 8pm pst time. Joe Pacheco and myself will be joined by former NBA All Star Kenny Anderson  as we talk about the NBA Finals, LeBron James, Heat, Lakers and the NBA Draft. We will be taking calls and answering YOUR questions. Join us at http://blogtalkradio.com/the-average-joe-show.

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The OTS: Draft Edition (4-25-12)

This is the OTS (On The Sidelines)  “draft edition” Packers rumors. Let’s get to rumors and the draft!!

 

Now let me preference this edition is on the eve/day of the draft and rumors, misinformation and smokescreens are running rapid at this time. The OTS are Packers rumors that I obtain through various sources that I have come to know through my years doing radio. They are sources in NFL in various capacities and do have direct knowledge of what is being discussed  by decision makers and front office personnel. Please keep in mind what a rumor is, hence what the OTS is:

RUMOR:

n.

A piece of unverified information of uncertain origin usually spread by word of mouth.
Unverified information received from another; hearsay.

 

Let me start with the release of Nick Collins. This was not an easy thing for Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy to do, but when it came down it they just didn’t feel comfortable with letting back on the field for the Packers. The risk was too high for the team, but more importantly they had his future as a human being in mind, not saving or adding cap space. They are hoping Collins retires and have talked to him about being a part of the organization.  I also heard that Collins has yet to be cleared by ANY doctor and is trying to get clearance.

 

I am hearing that the Packers would like a DE in round 1 (notably LSU’s Michael Brockers) and would like to add the OLB in round 2. The theory is the DL crop is thinner then the OLB crop and they could get an impact OLB in round 2.

 

I was told that the Packers have talked to the Browns about a deal to move up should Brockers be there at #22. The talk was a swap of 1st round picks (22 for 28) and the Browns 7th for the Packers 4th and 6th rounder. My scout (an AFC scout) told me that it could still happen if Brockers is not there and an impact OLB is there (Quinton Coples or Courtney Upshaw).

 

I received a few DM’s on twitter about a rumor that has the Rams dealing RB Steven Jackson to the Packers. I checked around and I was told that the Packers and Rams have talked about a deal that would send a 3rd rounder to the Rams for Jackson (and have been for 3 weeks). Jackson is owed $7 million each of the next 2 years and would provide a legitimate and complete running threat that Packers have lacked since Ahman Green. I was also told from an NFC Scout that it is 50/50 that this deal happens and NOTHING is eminent at this time.

 

I hear all the Shae McCellin talk to the Packers is a smokescreen. He’s intriguing but 4 concussions is scaring some teams off a bit according to my source, an AFC Scout.  He also said that he is not Clay Matthews and that Matthews was a far better player overall coming out of USC.

 

A couple names to watch in the 1st round for the Packers are:

 

LSU DE Michael Brockers

 

Syracuse DE/OLB Chandler Jones

 

Alabama OLB Courtney Upshaw

 

Alabama ILB/OLB Donta Hightower

 

USC OLB/DE Nick Perry

 

Boise St. RB Doug Martin

 

Michgan St DL Jerel Worthy

 

Illinois OLB Whitney Mercilus

 

A rumor I heard from an NFC Scout was the Packers could take USC’s Nick Perry and keep him as a DE. They feel that he has the frame to add weight (285) and still be effective. They are also concerned about him dropping into coverage and playing in space as an OLB, but think he is athletic enough to do it.

 

An AFC Scout told me that he thinks Thompson will be “moving around a lot in this draft both up and down in any round.” He said that is because of the amount of picks they have and the roster space (of player that they will actually carry) it makes sense for him to be “overly aggressive to get the guys he wants.”

 

He also told me that “for a 15-1 team, people think they have a ton of wholes, but I’d love to have that problem (being 15-1)”. He added “let me tell ya’, where they need to get better, this is a draft suited for them to do so and knowing Ted like I do, he’s gonna add some gems.”

 

An NFC Scout told me that he thinks the Packers will add a RB “with-in the first 3 rounds either via trade or draft pick.” He said that “that Martin kid from Boise St would be a good fit there and would give them surprising depth at RB.”

 

The Packers were never in on Asante Samuel according to my NFC Scout. I know some thought that they might be, but from everything I have heard they never had interest in him.

 

I heard that the Packers had some late work on two Oklahoma Sooners, OLB Ronnell Lewis and WR Ryan Broyles. Both are 2nd and 3rd day picks and should be available when the Packers pick in those rounds.

 

With the added cap space after releasing Chad Clifton and Nick Collins, the Packers have some cap room to talk about extending Greg Jennings. I was told by a source that the Packers and Jennings both want to get a “reasonable deal done” and the team and Jennings people have been talking about a new deal that would keep Jennings in Green Bay for 5 more years beyond his current deal.