Matt Holliday Sweepstakes: You'll never guess who Scott Boras is comparing free agent Matt Holliday to? Another Boras client who signed a $180 million deal last winter - Mark Teixeira. "These guys are blue-collar superstars. They don't hit 50 home runs, but they're complete players. They can give you something without swinging a bat." Read between the lines, general managers of the Mets, Red Sox, Cardinals, and Angels - start your bidding in the $160 million ballpark. [LA Times] (47)
We’ve got some pretty terrific tipsters who are like us: They enjoy a good conspiracy theory. Consider the following:
* Eugene Parker used to be Deion Sanders’ agent. (Haven’t been able to find a link anywhere talking about why or when they parted.) * When Michael Crabtree announced he was going to the NFL, he worked out at Prime U, Deion’s “workout camp.” Crabtree signed with Eugene Parker. Read the rest of this entry »
Mike Wise is a columnist at the Washington Post. He previously wrote for the NY Times. He’s a talented writer, and we also hear a bit … goofy, which could be the reason he’s got a new radio show in DC. After the Nationals signed Stephen Strasburg, Wise invited the guy who broke the story, Jon Heyman, onto his radio show. The first five minutes were standard-issue stuff, and then, out of the blue, Wise goes, “we’re talking with Jon Heyman, the Sports Illustrated senior writer, and also complete lackey for Scott Boras.” The four minutes that followed were spectacularly awkward. Audio after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »
The MLB draft is at 6 pm Tuesday. San Diego State’s Stephen Strasburg, the greatest pitching prospect ever, is the sure-fire No. 1 pick. Strasburg’s agent, the insufferable Scott Boras, is set to shake up baseball: He’s going to demand Dice-K money because Strasburg’s supposedly an otherworldly talent with a fastball in the upper 90s and a filthy curveball. Read the rest of this entry »
Brett Favre: The insufferable Bus Cook is at it again. "Have there been meetings [between Favre and the Vikings]? Are there any scheduled? To my knowledge, no. Right now, Brett's retired. He's out there cutting grass." Brett Favre's outta control! I can't stop the gunslinger! (Hattiesburg American) (12)
Scott Boras: Peter Gammons recently floated a number: $50 million, regarding the sure-fire No. 1 pick in this year's draft, Stephen Strasburg. Even though No. 1 picks usually get between $3-10 million deals, Scott Boras compares Strasburg's arrival (he topped out over 100 mph on the gun 14 times in a game recently) to that of Dice-K, which is an interesting plan of attack. SI's Jon Heyman notes Nationals president Stan Kasten and Selig Boras are not friendly, and the negotiations should be contentious at best. Will baseball (looking at you, Selig) be angry if Boras robs fans of seeing a "once-in-a-decade talent" because of greed? Wonder if this will spur salary cap chatter. (SI) (32)
This offseason, Denver’s Jay Cutler finds himself embroiled in a slightly similar situation to Favre – he’s feuding with his team that put him on the trading block. Mort seems to have a direct line to Cutler, just as he did with Favre. Read the rest of this entry »
Here’s how the process works: Sports agency in NY needs to sign NBA draft picks. The easiest route? Target the young AAU stars who are pegged for the NBA. Best way to the players? Their flesh-peddling AAU coach.
The money trail? Easy – the AAU coach sets up a non-profit foundation (taxes, baby), and the sports agency sends money (lots of it) in hopes that the coach will help steer players to said agency prior to the NBA draft. When the AAU coach can’t close a player, the agency sends in a “wow stick,” like former Duke All-American Jay Williams.
Eliza Dushku … people, people – live within your means! … your chances of finding a job are as good as getting into Harvard … tennis player Caroline Wozniacki gets the paparazzi treatment on the beach … it’s pick on Howie Kurtz week! … teen with gun vs. polar bear … buck loses battle with lawn ornament … hey readers in Brazil, how was the blackout? … man reaches for dog, gets bit by gator … sick and twisted in Denver … Dirt made me do it! …
Mike Wise is a columnist at the Washington Post. He 
The 
Here’s how the process works: Sports agency in NY needs to sign NBA draft picks. The easiest route? Target the young AAU stars who are pegged for the NBA. Best way to the players? Their flesh-peddling AAU coach.