There have been rumors floating around Port St. Lucie that Jose Reyes may not be the leadoff hitter on April 5^th, when the Mets host the Marlins to open the 2010 season. Naturally, several questions float around when someone like Jose, who has been a fixture at the top of the Mets lineup so long as he’s been healthy isn’t there anymore.

If Jose Reyes isn’t leading off, who is? Why wouldn’t he leadoff, he’s one of the best leadoff hitters in the game? And most importantly, if Jose Reyes isn’t opening the bottom of the 1^st versus Florida with a leadoff hit, than who is?

The answer to the first question is Angel Pagan, but don’t rule out Luis Castillo. The reason for this is simple, Carlos Beltran won’t be ready to go until May, and Reyes makes things happen. He’ll see a lot of pitches, and that will help Jason Bay and David Wright behind him have a better idea of what to expect when they follow. Until Carlos returns to his 3^rd position in the lineup, this is my prediction of the opening day lineup:

Angel Pagan, CF

Daniel Murphy, 1b

Jose Reyes, SS

Jason Bay, LF

David Wright, 3b

Jeff Francoeur, RF

Omir Santos, C

Luis Castillo, 2b

Johan Santana, P

Of course, this will be completely different if Mike Jacobs can beat out Daniel Murphy at first base, and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if that happens. Because of that distinct possibility, I’ve constructed an additional lineup, with Mike Jacobs at first base, and Angel Pagan in center field.

Angel Pagan, CF

Luis Castillo, 2b

Jose Reyes, SS

Jason Bay, LF

David Wright, 3b

Mike Jacobs, 1b

Jeff Francoeur, RF

Omir Santos, C

Johan Santana, P

Both lineups aren’t the same without Beltran in the middle or without Jose at the top, but I believe New York can survive with this lineup. The key though, is surviving until Beltran returns without additional injuries because that is what bit New York last year. Angel Pagan in center is fine, as long as Gary Matthews, Jr. isn’t in Left Field playing rather than Jason Bay. And if Jose Reyes misses significant time again this season, you can forget about it. Alex Cora at shortstop just isn’t going to work. I personally can’t survive another season of Daniel Murphy in the 3, 4, or 5 hole.

On draft day, there’s nothing that a team can do that will disappoint its fan base more than draft an offensive lineman. Deep down, the fans know that he will certainly help, but they’re much less sexy of a pick than a quarterback throwing the ball seventy yards, a running back that can run a sub 4.4 forty, or 6’5 wide receiver with a 40 inch vertical.

One player who won’t be appreciated for as much of an impact he can make will be Rutgers’ left tackle Anthony Davis. The local product out of Piscataway, NJ will be forgoing his senior season at The Birthplace of College Football for what will most likely be a successful career.

The 20-year-old looks to be the total package. At 6’6, 330 pounds, he is the mountain you want protecting your quarterback’s blind side. He has also displayed versatility at Rutgers, playing right guard, right tackle, and ultimately left tackle. He would be a much-welcomed addition to many NFL offenses.

Anthony Davis could go as early as: #4 to the Redskins. St. Louis, Detroit, and Tampa Bay all have too many issues on the defensive side of the ball, and the looming talents that come with the top 3 picks are too much to pass up. Also, Washington has inexperience at the tackle position down that Chris Samuels appears over the hill.

Anthony Davis could go as late as: #15 to the Giants. I am a strong believer that the Giants need to rebuild their terrible defense, but if Davis shows up to the NFL Combine overweight and out-of-shape, he could fall. The Giants simply wouldn’t be able to pass up this opportunity. The Rutgers product could do wonders.

Anthony Davis will probably go to: #8 Oakland or #9 Buffalo. Oakland has drafted the best-of-the-best offensive skill players in the past drafts, but their talents won’t produce any benefits unless they field an offensive line. Also, Buffalo had a huge surprise today as their starting tackle Brad Butler retired at the age of 26, so what was already a whole for the Bills after trading Pro-Bowler Jason Peters last year has become a devastating loss.Rutgers University will be extremely proud when Anthony Davis’ name is called on NFL draft day.

With so much media attention being given to the Yankees CF situation, I wanted to debate how much defense really means to the Yankees. To some teams, defense helps them win games. Others rely on offense. So what’s the best approach?

Curtis Granderson was acquired to become the Yankees’ new Center Fielder. For whatever reason, people are speculating that Granderson will be moved over to Left Field for…Brett Gardner? When did Brett turn into Ken Griffey Jr.? The Yankees have never outright committed to Brett Gardner, so why is this a big deal? Does outfielder placement really matter to the Yankees? Don’t you just want to win?

Does defense really matter?

The obvious answer to this question is yes. Pitchers will make good pitches to get hitters out. Teams must have above average fielders to play in each position. You can’t stick a bunch of tomato cans in the field and expect to win. This is all Baseball 101. But when you have an offensive juggernaut filled with high strike out pitchers like the Yankees do, fielding goes on the backburner. The Yankees led baseball with 915 runs scored, 244 home runs, 1,604 hits, and a .362 team-OBP. Due to their new ‘homer friendly’ stadium, many will argue that the Yankees had an unfair advantage. Tell your team owner to build a hitter-friendly park then. But the Yankee success wasn’t all offensively-minded.  Yankee pitchers led the AL in strikeouts(1,260), saves(51), and opponent batting average(.251). Yankee pitchers finished in 4th place with a 4.26 ERA. Expect the strikeout total to climb with Vazquez on the staff(230+ K’s last season).  Ace CC Sabathia led the AL with 19 wins. Timely hitting(15 walk-off wins) and pitching virtually carried this club.

So, let’s get to fielding. The Yankees had two Gold Glove winners in 2009(Jeter and Teixeira). The Yankees were 4^th in the AL in team fielding percentage(.985). The only noticeable weak spot(Johnny Damon) has been removed from the team. However, Damon’s fielding weakness was covered up by his offensive production. This season, the Yankees boast an even better defensive lineup. Swisher plays average defense in Right Field, but the rest of the fielders play at a moderately high level. Even with their focus on hitting, the Yankees boast one of the better fielding teams in the league.

So ultimately, How much does defense really matter? Does it really matter who plays LF or CF? No it really doesn’t. People are basically arguing and debating over fractions of a run. Gap coverage really doesn’t matter. The only difference would occur with the balls caught in right field to balls falling in left center(Depending on the CF). That may be 2 or 3 hits per season.

If I had to choose, I’d put Gardner in Center and Grandy in Left. Gardner has got more speed, but it really doesn’t matter.

Bottom Line: The Yankees have two great Center Fielders that can play any outfield position. It won’t matter who plays where. The team will still mash and the pitchers will strike out even more hitters this season with the addition of Vazquez and maturation of Joba. When you have a well-oiled jaggernaut that can hit, pitch, and field, baseball should be simple right? It never is. Let’s get to April 5^th already!

Written By: Kenny Mauss

In a game that had more dunks than personal fouls, tonight’s NBA All Star Game showed just what kind of offensive skills the best players in the game have to offer. While neither team played any defense whatsoever for the first 47 minutes of the game, the skills these players have is breathtaking. The stadium in which this game was played is also breathtaking in its own accord. Cowboys Stadium shattered the attendance record for any basketball game when Jerry Jones and Mark Cuban teamed up to bring in 108,712 people to watch tonight’s game.

The East All Stars were able to hold on with a 141-139 victory. A last second 3-point attempt by Carmelo Anthony came up short as George Karl’s West squad went for the win rather than playing for overtime. Dwyane Wade was named most valuable player with 28 points and 11 assists. He also added 6 rebounds to his mvp efforts. Carmelo Anthony led the West squad with 27 points and 10 rebounds.

Every player on the East squad scored at least once and the only player held scoreless on the West squad was Jason Kidd. The game was more or less a highlight reel and as Kobe Bryant put it, “it’s the world’s best pickup game”.  Dwight Howard making a 3-pointer and Dwyane Wade having 9 dunks were part of the highlights of the game. The Low points of tonight’s game were the putrid halftime show, and Deron Williams fouling Wade at the end of the game, with the score tied. It changed the entire last few moments of the game. The East was able to hold on with Bosh’s 2 Free Throws in the waning seconds, after Dirk Nowitzki was also able to add 2 Free Throws for the West side.

It was overall a successful All Star weekend for the NBA, as the 2003 draft class continues to keep the NBA rolling. 5 of the top 6 picks participated in tonight’s game (James, Anthony, Bosh, Wade, and Kaman). Darko must have missed the invite.

Written By: Mike Ulatoski

United States (2-0-0-0, 6 points) vs. Canada (1-1-0-0, 5 points)

NOTE: records are presented as: three-point wins (wins in regulation time) – two-point wins (wins in OT or shootout) – one-point losses (loss in OT or shootout), zero-point losses – (loss in regulation time).

What To Watch For:

This game will decide the Group A title, which gives the winning team a bye into Wednesday’s quarterfinals. Despite the one-point difference between the teams, the winner of Sunday’s game will advance. If the Canadians win in overtime or a shootout, the teams will be tied with seven points, but Canada would get the bye because of the preliminary round’s head-to-head record against the Americans. The second-place team in this group would still be in the running for the fourth bye into the quarterfinals, given to the team with the best record of the three second-place finishers. If the loser of Sunday’s game does not get the fourth bye, it will have to play in Tuesday’s win-or-go-home qualification game against one of the bottom three teams in pool play.

This game is about a lot more than seeding. It is about national pride between two mortal enemies, a rivalry that brings out the best in both teams. The winner will get an unbelievable boost in confidence heading into the quarterfinals, while the loser will have precious time to do some serious regrouping.

Last game – United States defeated Norway, 6-1, on Thursday; Canada defeated Switzerland, 3-2, in a shootout on Thursday.

Team Reports

United States - Despite winning the first two games of the tournament in regulation, the Americans are still looking for answers as this game approaches. They have been able to get their first line – Patrick Kane, Zach Parise and Paul Stastny – on track.  Now, the U.S. is thinking about playing Kane with Bobby Ryan and Ryan Kesler, to give Kane more freedom to freelance. This means that New Jersey’s Jamie Langenbrunner would likely move up to play with Parise, his Devils’ teammate, and Stastny.

So far, the Americans have been carried offensively by traditional power forwards. Ryan Malone has a goal in each game, and The Real American David Backes has been devastating on the forecheck. They are also confident in goalie Ryan Miller, who has been spectacular at times and on top of his game, despite not facing a ton of shots.  Much of the downtime for Team USA’s coaches before Sunday’s game was spent talking about the power play, which has struggled mightily in going 2-for-8 so far in the tournament. American coach Ron Wilson believes it is just a matter of timing on the breakout portion of the man-advantage scheme and that it can be readily fixed. He also wants his defensemen to shoot early and often on the power play, something they have been reluctant to do so far.

Canada - There are the slightest hints of panic in and around the Canadian camp after Switzerland erased a two-goal deficit Thursday to push the game to a shootout. In that game, a few holes were exposed in the Canadian lineup. Both coach Mike Babcock and GM Steve Yzerman have been trying to ease the worry, insisting that everything is fine. They can say whatever they want; there are questions surrounding this team.

First, who will play in goal going forward? Babcock has already said that Martin Brodeur is his goalie on Sunday, but Vancouver’s Roberto Luongo pitched a shutout against Norway and is the hometown favorite. There will be pressure to get him another game. Also, who will play wing on Sidney Crosby’s line? Several players — including Jarome Iginla, Patrice Bergeron and Mike Richards — have been given chances. We’ll have to wait and see who plays alongside Crosby on Sunday. Finally, can this team keep its cool as the pressure mounts? Defenseman Chris Pronger was in the midst of committing a retaliatory penalty when the Swiss scored the goal that tied the game 2-2 in the second period. The Canadians might not be able to keep their cool as the Games continue, and as the weight of winning gold gets heavier. Babcock admitted many of his players were squeezing their sticks in the last 10 minutes of regulation and throughout overtime against the Swiss, as the Canadian fans in the crowd grew restless. Is the pressure of winning gold on home ice too much for this Canadian team?

“I thought the game turned when they got their first goal,” Babcock said. “We tightened up. In every championship I’ve been a part of, your team has to go through adversity and we were able to survive it.” The fact that a close win is considered adversity shows how closely this team is being watched.

Total NHL players on rosters – USA 23; Canada 23.

Puck Drop

The Canada-USA game is the biggest matchup of the preliminary round, with both teams featuring some of the world’s best players.  With Ryan Miller and Martin Brodeur between the pipes, Sunday’s game features the marquee goaltending matchup of the entire tournament.  Once this game ends, we are going to know whether Brian Burke’s youthful, energetic U.S. squad has the jam to play with the world’s best. We are going to find out a lot about this team’s character, intensity, and maturity, and even though it is not an elimination game, it looms as the biggest game in which most of these U.S. players have ever played. As a nation, the United States’ game Sunday night looms as its most important international contest since the gold-medal game in Salt Lake City in 2002.  This game will be a gauge of Team USA’s cohesion, chemistry, and will to win in big games.

As a number of U.S. players pointed out, the Canadians will embarrass them in a hurry if they don’t play smart.

But in the backs of their minds, they’re also thinking about the alternative – beating the Canadians in their own backyard, and announcing to the rest of the teams in this tournament that the Americans are here, and they are for real.

Prediction

This game will be a battle, plain and simple; great goaltending, tenacious hitting, and relentless offensive attacks from both teams. Both teams will come out looking sloppy for about the first ten minutes or so, given the atmosphere that will be in Hockey Place tonight and the emotions that will be running through every player. After the Americans slumbered their way through long periods of time of their win over Norway, they have ramped up all elements of their game. From forechecking to breakouts, to defensive play to the power play, this US team is focused on making big plays and doing all the little things right. The US announces to the rest of the hockey world that they are here to win a medal, and that announcement will be made tonight. The US pulls out a hard-fought victory over Canada, 3-2 in regulation.

Shot Calling – goal for Phil Kessel and Jamie Langenbrunner tonight.

Written By: Matt Vereb

Going into the 2010 Off-Season, the New York Knicks will have only 19M committed to players. Two teams have similar salary structures heading into next season, the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat. These teams present the most competition for premium talent heading into next season.

Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls have $31 Million committed to players heading into the 2010-2011 season. The team will return a core of players featuring Guards Kirk Hinrch, Derrick Rose, James Johnson and Taj Gibson, Forward Luol Deng, and Center Joahkim Noah. Given the current salary cap before tax at $69.9 million this season, The Bulls will have roughly $38 million to spend this off-season. The Bulls will need a Shooting Guard to fill the void left by Ben Gordon and an athletic Power Forward.

Their #1 Target? Miami Heat Guard, Dwyane Wade. Wade has a Player Option for $17.1 million next season that he will opt-out of. (Wade can earn a max-contract of $21 million/season). Wade is from the Mid-West, so the Bulls are a definite fit for Wade. He has made it known that he has interesting in returning to his roots. Pairing Wade with PG Derrick Rose would create arguably the best backcourt in the NBA. Their #2 Target? Current Knicks PF David Lee. An athletic 4 would fit perfectly in the Bulls system.

Imagine a lineup consisting of Derrick Rose, Dwyane Wade, Luol Deng, David Lee, and Joahkim Noah. Hinrich(9mil over 2 years) would become expendable to the team. That team could become the premiere team in the East.

Miami Heat

The Miami Heat have only $7 Million committed to players heading into the 2010-2011 season, given that Wade opts out of his contract. Michael Beasley and Daequan Cook would be the only committed dollars to the team. I don’t expect the team to pick up team options on James Jones($4 million), but Mario Chalmers ($800K) will probably be picked up.

Their #1 Target? Retaining Shooting Guard, Dwyane Wade. The Heat will offer Wade whatever he wants. He may even receive a majority stake in South Beach. We can also assume that Suns Power Forward, Amare Stoudemire will opt out of his contract. Wade was begging the team to acquire Stoudemire at the trade deadline, but complications stymied the deal. Raptors Power Forward Chris Bosh and Hawks Guard/Forward Joe Johnson may also be a fit for the team.

The Wildcard? If Wade resigns, he may be able to lure LeBron James to Miami.

The Heat have a lot of different options going into this offseason, but re-signing Wade is the team’s #1 priority.

These two teams will provide the most competiton with the Knicks this off-season. LeBron James will receive offers from Cleveland, Miami, New York, and Detroit. Assuming James goes back to Cleveland, the Knicks will have a tough time getting Dwyane Wade.

Expect the Knicks to target Joe Johnson and a Power Forward. Resigning David Lee should also be a priority for the team. The Hawks will have $47 million committed to players going into next season. Johnson will most likely get a max-offer from Atlanta as well.  It will be a very interesting and competitive off-season.

What do you think of these scenarios?

Written by: Kenny Mauss

The only thing that could have improved Tracy McGrady’s Knick debut in Madison Square Garden was a victory. Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder however, stood squarely in his way. In an exciting game from start to finish the Thunder were able to defeat the Knicks in Overtime, 121-118. McGrady scored 26 points on 10-17 shooting from the field, with 4 rebounds and 5 assists. Not bad for his first real action in nearly two years. For the first time all year, the play of David Lee wasn’t the most exciting aspect of the game. He did however continue his stellar season, scoring 30 points on 75% shooting from the field (12-16). Not surprisingly he tacked on another double double, with 10 more rebounds, and also added 6 assists (which he also leads the NBA in among centers).

Another new player for New York, Eddie House, who was acquired from Boston for Nate Robinson scored a season high 24 points coming off the bench, which he had done for most of his time in Boston.

This was the type of effort that Knicks fans have been clamoring for all year. Whether this is a flash in the pan, or the beginning of a change in New York remains to be seen. McGrady has said he would take a paycut to stay in New York next season if they were able to acquire top tier talent. If McGrady and Lee can stir some excitement into the Garden for the rest of the season with performances like tonight, maybe there is light at the end of this long dark tunnel.

Written By: Matt Vereb

The guys at River Ave. Blue have this photo gallery dedicated to the updated demolition of Yankee Stadium. It’s a sad site to see, but it was going to happen eventually. Check it out. Pictures

With so many great memories at Yankee Stadium, each of us loses some of our childhood. Regardless of your age, old Yankee stadium had numerous renovations, but played host to all-time greats, Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle and Derek Jeter.

Moments that I will always remember at the Old Stadium:

1995: I first started following baseball at the Age of 8, in 1995. I’ll never forget going to a baseball card store with my Dad and selecting a few cards that I liked. I remember picking out Paul O’Neill, Bernie Williams, and this one mystery card that had my Dad completely fooled. He asked me, ‘Who the heck is Derek Jeter’? and I said, “Dad, he’s a rookie, he’s gonna be good” I bought that card for 25 cents and have it to this day. Anyway, on with the list!

1996: Jeff Maier Grabbing Derek Jeter’s Home Run; ALCS Game 1

2001: Game 4 World Series: Derek Jeter’s Game-Winning Home Run off Byung-Hung Kim(Mr. November)

2001: Game 5 World Series; Scott Brosius Homers off Byung-Hung Kim

2001: Game 5 World Series; Paul O’Neill chants(O’Neill’s Final Game in NY)

2004: Derek Jeter Dives Into Stands vs. Red Sox

1996-2008: Most Importantly; All of the games my Dad took me and my friends to. Thanks Dad.

It’s sad to see it go, but it was great to see the new stadium broken in the right way last year. If you feel a strange breeze blow around the stadium come October, just know that the Ghosts from the Old Stadium are there and anything can happen. That Jeter character isn’t too bad after all, is he?

What are some of your favorite memories from the Old Stadium?

Written By: Adam Poedubicky

For me, this is certainly the driest time in sports. I enjoy golf, but I don’t think the Tiger Woods’ story is sports news (or any news for that matter, but that’s for another article). Everyone knows the NBA is completely irrelevant until the few games before the playoffs. The NHL has put its season on a hold while the Olympics are happening (imagine if baseball was put on a hold for the World Baseball Classic!).

My favorite sports month has to be April. It has pretty much everything I’m looking for. On the hardwood, March Madness ironically usually commences in the first few days of April. Also, the NBA playoffs begin. The first rounds are usually dull and should be no longer than a five-game series, but it is nice to see teams actually try and start playing some defense. And another plus, it’s simply a privilege to watch Kobe Bean in the playoffs.

Baseball finally gets back underway, and I know many readers will be watching the Yankees defend their World Series title. I’m also curious to see how well of a job Granderson does replacing Johnny D in left. I think his numbers will be similar, but the overall defensive improvement will save many runs for the Yankees’ staff.

The event that some view as the most boring that is my favorite is the NFL Draft. It’s the one thing that reminds me that football is eventually coming, both college and pro. For the Giants in this draft, I’m looking forward to seeing which of their many holes they address in the first few rounds. For the Jets, it’s going to be interesting to see which direction they go; whether it’s making a great defense even better, or going for a playmaker on offense.

Alas, only six more weeks until my sport’s nirvana. Until then, it’s time to hop on MLB.TV (which I just ordered) and check out some spring training games and highlights from last year. This time until the draft means I’m going to have to google mock drafts and combine results.

Well, there’s my side of the story. April is my favorite sport’s month, followed closely by October (college and pro football AND The Fall Classic? Yes, please), while my least favorites are February and July (sure I have my baseball, but that’s it).

Written By: Matt Vereb

Before I begin, what the hell are the Detroit Tigers thinking? With Johnny Damon still uncommitted, the Tigers have been increasing their offer to the 36-year-old Outfielder. Reported earlier, their current offer stands at 1-year for $7.5 million with an undisclosed portion being deferred. The Chicago White Sox have set a deadline of Sunday Morning for Damon to accept their offer before they move on. So why are the Tigers so ‘hot’ on Damon’s trail?

I’m really not sure. Two months ago, the Tigers traded Curtis Granderson, one of their best and cheaper players, to the Yankees for a group of minor leaguers including Outfielder, Austin Jackson. This type of move seemed like one a rebuilding team would want to make. Or just a plain dumb one. Granderson is set to earn $6.5 million this season and is in the 3^rd year of his five-year contract. Granderson will earn an average of $7 million throughout the deal. Granderson, 29, has been consistent in his four full seasons with Detroit. Granderson has averaged 24 HRs and a .280 batting average. Granderson plays an above average CF. Outside of an injury-filled campaign of 2007, Granderson has posted impressive UZRs of 14.1, 12.9, 1.6, which in standard baseball language means that the guy will cut down more runners and runs than he allows. It also means he is great at making plays that the average fielder can’t.

Back to Johnny Damon. Since I’ve written about him so much, I feel like I personally know Johnny Damon. Damon, 36, has played Russian Roulette with contract offers for the entire off-season. He has turned away the Yankees, Braves, Giants, Rays, Tigers, and White Sox. While Damon hit 24 HRs and scored 107 runs for the Yankees last season, how much were ‘Yankee Stadium aided’? Bill James and other projection software have Damon projected for 17 HRs and 95 runs this year. While the projected drop in offensive production is a bit alarming, his past defensive statistics are ghastly. Damon has posted UZRs of -9.2, -1.1, and -11.6 with the New York Yankees.  The guy is a liability defensively. Everyone in the game knows it.

The Main Point: Why are the Tigers offering a 36-year-old outfielder, who is a defensive liability, a contract for $7 million when they were unwilling to pay their 29-year-old Superstar outfielder, an average of $7.5 million for the next three seasons? Plus, Granderson has been one of the more instrumental players off-the-field. Granderson has helped numerous charities in Detriot and is regarded as one of the ‘good guys’ in the game. Financially, the Tigers have seemed to contradict their own philosophies this offseason, but for those mistakes, the Yankees just keep getting richer. Yankee fans have been clamoring for an heir to Bernie Williams’ Center Field throne. I know Granderson has the ability to step up and play at an All-Star level.

In conclusion, we will happily take an outfielder who is 7 years younger, more athletic, and better defensively any day. Damon and Granderson are a virtual push when it comes to hitting, but the Yankee lineup is already stacked with many great hitters. Cheap, young, athletic players who have All-Star potential, don’t grow on trees. However, oIder players with ‘Noodle Arms’ do.

With all things being equal financially, who would Yankee fans rather have this season and moving forward?