Red Sox hold "conditional club option" for Lackey

According to The Boston Globe, It is said that behind John Lackey's recently signed five-year contract, the Red Sox hold a "conditional club option" at the minimum salary for the 2015 season to protect themselves in case the pitcher gets hurt. The conditional option would force Lackey to play for the Major League $400,000, if an old elbow injury forced him to miss "significant time" with surgery during the deal.

The right-hander missed time on the disabled list because of an elbow injury while with the Angels during the past two seasons. From 2003-07, Lackey made 33 starts each season. In his eight-year career he has thrown 200-plus innings. Well it seems that the red sox jersey is more "expensive" than other team jerseys.

Rockies negotiate with Tim Redding

According to a Major League source, the Rockies are negotiating with one of their past targets, right-handed pitcher Tim Redding. Last winter, the Rockies intended to acquire Redding from the Nationals before he was non-tendered. Redding signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the Mets as a free agent and went 3-6 with a 5.10 ERA in 30 games, including 17 starts in his mets jersey.

The Rockies were not a finalist in the chase for former Pirates reliever Matt Capps, who is deciding between the Nationals and the Cubs. Redding could be asked to add the energy and experience to the bullpen.

Tigers have sent Ryan to Padres

According to a report, the Tigers found a taker for catcher Dusty Ryan, who was designated for assignment last week.
The Tigers announced that ryan has been traded to the Padres for a player to be named. The 25-year-old Ryan appeared in 27 games with the Tigers over the past two years, compiling a .257 average, two homers and 11 RBIs in the tigers jersey.

Ryan split the 2009 season between Detroit and Triple-A Toledo. He batted .257 with 10 homers and 35 RBIs in 63 games with the Mud Hens.

Dickey may sign Minors deal with Mets

According to the Associated Press, the Mets have agreed to terms with knuckleballer R.A. Dickey for a Minor League contract. Dickey appeared in 35 games for the Twins in his twins jersey in 2009, going 1-1 with a 4.62 ERA. He also made five starts for Minnesota's Triple-A affiliate in Rochester, going 2-1 with a 5.13 mark.

In his seven-year career, the right-hander has 22-28 with a 5.43 ERA. Originally a first-round Draft pick by the Rangers in 1996, Dickey has a 6.30 ERA in his career as a starter and a 4.16 mark as a reliever.

Savard and Hartnell appear on "Price Is Right"

Boston Bruins center Marc Savard and Philadelphia Flyers left wing Scott Hartnell are the guests on Dec. 23 edition of the Emmy Award-winning "The Price Is Right" on the CBS Television Network. Savard and Hartnell will also help host Drew Carey present a special 2010 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic.

The 2010 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic-themed showcase includes a trip to Boston's Fenway Park, including air travel and hotel accommodations, two tickets to the outdoor game and other assorted NHL prizes. Each studio audience member will receive an NHL Winter Classic puck. Bruins and Flyers will face the 2010 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic historic outdoor matchup at Fenway Park. Will the hockey fans be there and support their favourite teams in nhl jerseys?

Winter ice skating comes to Wrigley Field

Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster will throw out the first pitch on the ice in his cubs jersey on Saturday to celebrate the grand opening of an ice skating rink next to Wrigley Field. Tom Tunney and Cubs owners Tom and Laura Ricketts for the festivities are expected to begin at 11 in the morning. General superintendent of the Chicago Park District Tim Mitchell was also scheduled to attend. Ice dancers from the Starlights Synchronized Skating organization will perform, followed by a skate with participants from the news conference and opening ceremony.

The Rink at Wrigley will open to the public for the first time following the opening ceremony. The rink was to be open on Wednesday, but it was delayed due to the weather. The ice rink is located on the west side of Wrigley Field near the corner of Clark Street and Waveland Avenue. On Jan. 1, Wrigley Field is going to host the NHL Winter Classic between the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings.

A trial has been set for Dodgers ownership

According to a report, a court commissioner has set a May trial which is going to decide whether Jamie McCourt has an ownership stake in the Los Angeles Dodgers. The decision by Superior Court Commissioner Scott M. Gordon means the issue will not be decided by the start of the baseball season.

Frank McCourt, who is the sole owner of the Dodgers, had been struggling for the ownership issue to be heard in February before this season. Jamie McCourt's attorneys wanted the issue decided later in the year. Gordon will hold a two-day hearing in March on how much support Jamie McCourt can receive. The hearing was originally set on April 5.

Mariners sign Pedro Okuda to a Minor deal

It is announced that the Mariners signed 19-year-old amateur Pedro Okuda to a Minor League contract on Wednesday.
Okuda is expected to join the Mariners' Venezuela Academy after he graduates from high school this spring and will play during the 2010 season in the mariners jersey. Okuda was born and raised in Brazil but attended high school in Japan. Yasushi Yamamoto and Pat Kelly, the Mariners scouts first found Okuda in a youth tournament in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in May 2006.

"Pedro is a player that we have been scouting for several years, beginning when he participated in the Brazilian Baseball Confederation Academy in Brazil and most recently in Japan, where he is concluding his high school education," Mariners vice president of international operations Bob Engle said. "Thanks to the efforts of Yasushi Yamamoto and Pat Kelly, we have added a player who has proven to be an action player with a line-drive swing and plus speed. Pedro is a player who has a lot of spirit and enthusiasm, and we look forward to watching him develop in the Seattle Mariners' organization."

Rick DiPietro will miss his start

It is reported that New York Islanders goaltender Rick DiPietro will miss his scheduled start for the AHL's Bridgeport Sound Tigers after experiencing tightness during a game in Springfield last week. DiPietro removed himself from the game after the second period.

"Ricky has been seen by the team doctors and most recently a specialist," Islanders GM Garth Snow said on the team's Web site. "To make sure we are taking the proper steps in his rehabilitation, we will seek an additional opinion and should have a timeline by the end of the week." The Islanders hoped DiPietro would be back in his islanders jersey with the big club by the weekend.

Milan Lucic will appear on Top 20 Video countdown

It is said that Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic is a guest on this weekend's edition of VH1's Top 20 Video Countdown. Lucic will discuss the 2010 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic on New Year's Day at Fenway Park in Boston with host Jim Shearer. The segment will be heard on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 9 a.m. ET on VH1.

Also featured on VH1's Top 20 Video Countdown this weekend is musical superstar Rihanna. Will his fans be there in their boston bruins jersey? We will wait to see.

Spezza may be out for weeks

According to a report in the Ottawa Sun, Senators forward Jason Spezza suffered a right knee injury and is expected to be out for several weeks. "It looks fairly serious. Right knee," coach Cory Clouston said after the team's Tuesday practice. "It means we're going to have to be more of a team than ever. It's a great opportunity for some guys."

Clouston said the injury is similar to one suffered several weeks ago by Chris Neil. The team is still awaiting more information, if it is similar to Neil's injury then he could miss four to six weeks. "We will know more tonight," said Clouston. "It's all speculation right now." Maybe he will take off his senators jersey and rest for a period of time.

Nationals ink Jerry Owens to Minors deal

The Nationals have signed outfielder Jerry Owens to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training. Owens was a former second-round pick with the Expos in the 2003 First-Year Player Draft, spending three-plus seasons in the white sox jersey before joining the Mariners' this past season.

His best year in the Major Leagues was in 2007, when he hit .267 with one home run and 32 stolen bases in 93 games with the White Sox. When Jim Bowden was Washington's general manager, one of his trades was sending Owens to Chicago for outfielder Alex Escobar on Feb.13, 2005.

Towers signed with Dodgers

The Associated Press reported that the Dodgers signed right-hander Josh Towers to a Minor League contract. He made two appearances with the Yankees last season, allowing two earned runs in 5 1/3 innings. He also had a 3.05 ERA in 20 appearances in the Minors with the Triple-A affiliates of the Nationals and Yankees last year.

In eight Major League seasons, Towers is 45-55 with a 4.95 ERA while playing with the Orioles, Blue Jays and Yankees. His best year came in 2005 when he went 13-12 with a 3.71 ERA in 33 starts with the Blue Jays. Hope he will make a fantanstic show when he put on dodgers jersey.

Dodgers tender contracts to nine players

It is reported that the Dodgers tendered contracts to all players on their Major League roster by Saturday night's deadline.
It included nine arbitration-eligible players: Chad Billingsley, Jonathan Broxton, Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp, Hong-Chih Kuo, James Loney, Russell Martin, Jason Repko and George Sherrill.

Except Repko, who spent 2009 in the Minor Leagues, each is in line for a significant salary increase. That is especially true for five who are eligible for arbitration for the first time.

Carcillo is suspended for four games

The National Hockey League announced that Philadelphia Flyers forward Daniel Carcillo has been suspended for four games without pay, for a deliberate blow to the face of Washington Capitals forward Matt Bradley during December 5's game in Washington. The incident took place at the first period. Bradley suffered an injury and did not return to the game.

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Carcillo will forfeit $43,597.56. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund. Carcillo will miss games Dec.7 at Montreal, Dec.8 against the New York Islanders, Dec.10 against Ottawa and Dec.12 at New Jersey. He will be eligible to return on Dec.14 at Boston in the flyers jersey.

Sidney Crosby injures his groin

It is reported that Penguins captain Sidney Crosby will not play on Saturday night in a showdown with the Blackhawks because of a groin injury.

"My groin is bothering me a bit," Crosby said. "I won't be playing tonight. It's something that's been bothering me for three or four days and I'm going to sit this one out. When it's getting worse each day, it's not a good sign. I've missed periods of time over the last few years with groin and I kind of know when it's time to take a step back and make sure that I'm careful. I feel like I'm at that point."

Team Canada will announce Olympic team at the end of Dec

Hockey Canada said on Tuesday that it will announce its Olympic team roster on Dec. 30. The announcement will be made in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The more details including the exact time and location the announcement will be made at a later date.

The Olympics are being held in Vancouver, British Columbia next year. Canada was seventh in the 2006 Games in Torino, Italy after winning the gold medal in the 2002 Winter Olympics at Salt Lake City. It's time for us to put on team canada jersey and cheer for them!

A's agree to add Joey Devine

The A's announced that the team agreed to terms with right-handed Joey Devine on a one-year contract. Devine was the team's closer in 2009, but he had surgery on his right elbow in April that caused him to miss the entire season after posting several numbers as a rookie in 2008.

Devine is 7-2 with a 2.48 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 65 1/3 innings in 67 career Major League appearances with the Braves and A's. He was acquired by the A's in 2008 in the trade which sent Mark Kotsay to Atlanta. He is the first of the six arbitration-eligible players who agree to terms on a contract for next season. The other five players available for arbitration are right-handed pitchers Santiago Casilla and Michael Wuertz and outfielders Jack Cust, Rajai Davis and Scott Hairston. Put on the astros jerseys and play for the team!

Rockies GM does not intend to pursue Hudson

It is reported that Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd said the club is not pursuing free-agent second baseman Orlando Hudson. Foxsports.com once reported the Rockies were pursuing Hudson, a super-utility player. But O'Dowd told the media that while Hudson's name came up, the plan is still to stay with Barmes. "That is not anything near a front-burner issue," O'Dowd said. "We're very happy with Clint Barmes as our second baseman."

The Rockies are in the negotiations with Barmes on a multiyear contract. O'Dowd said if Hudson is still on the market in the offseason, pursuing him might be a consideration. Last year, Hudson was on the market in the offseason, he signed with the Dodgers, earned his fourth Rawlings Gold Glove Award and finished the season batting .283 with nine home runs.

Barmes finished the regular season at .245 with career highs in home runs with 23. Barmes hit .314 in June and had a .279 batting average before the All-Star break, but he hit .205 afterward in the National League Division Series, which the Phillies won in four games. Fans may feel regrettable if Hudson has not put on the rockies jersey.

Hemsky will have shoulder surgery

It is reported that Edmonton Oilers forward Ales Hemsky will undergo surgery to repair his left shoulder, the general manager Steve Tambellini said he willl miss the rest of the season.

Hemsky has played in 22 games this season, scoring 7 goals and 15 assists for 22 points. He left Wednesday's game against Los Angeles after being driven into the boards by the Kings' Michal Handzus. He has played his entire career with the team in his edmonton oilers jersey, skating in 443 games and collecting 353 points, which include his 100th career goal on Nov. 23 in the Oilers' win over the Phoenix Coyotes.

Maple Leafs sent Tlusty to Hurricanes

Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Brian Burke may have sent away a pair of first-round picks for talented winger Phil Kessel and minor-leaguer Jiri Tlusty to Carolina Hurricanes for its 2009 first-round pick, Phillipe Paradis. Paradis was drafted 27th overall by the Hurricanes this June. He is still playing for the Shawinigan Cataractes of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He has 8 goals, 11 assists and 43 penalty minutes in 26 games this season. He had 19 goals and 31 assists in 66 games last season as well as 6 goals and 6 assists in 21 playoff games.

Tlusty had 16 points in 58 games for the Maple Leafs in 2007-08, but has just four assists in 16 games since playing mostly with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL. Now he is going to put on carolina hurricanes jersey and play for the team.