the brewers wont be acquiring corey lidle from the phillies, contrary to some things i've read over the past couple days.  he's on his way to the yankees, along with bobby abreu, according to reports here on foxsports.com, espnradio, and probably every other sports reporting website, tv network, radio station, magazine and newspaper around the country.  the yankees are also reportedly picking up all options on both contracts, according to the release i heard on espnradio just minutes ago.

the bucks FINALLY got their deal done to move jamaal magloire.  dime magazine reported yesterday on their blog that a deal was close with the trailblazers.  today, espnradio reported the deal is done.  not sure of all the players involved, but steve blake is one of those on his way to the bucks.  a point guard battle may be on the horizon in training camp, even though reports state that mo williams was promised the starting job with the t. j. ford trade to toronto.  my take on this...those promises should never be made, and if they are, shouldnt be taken seriously.  if a player out-performs you in camp, he should get the job.  if you want to be the starter, earn it.

with the abreu trade to the yankees, it further limits alfonso soriano's possible destinations, which would be ok with him, considering he says he'd like to stay in washington.  almost every american league team still in contention appears to have shown some interest in him at one point or another in the past few weeks.  the mariners, twins, angels, white sox and tigers have gotten the most print, but guaging the actual interest of any of them is difficult, as teams seem to be doing alot of talking to drive up the price for their division rivals to get a deal done. 

perhaps the carlos lee trade has set the bar too low for jim bowden, who seems to want quite a bit in return for soriano.  a similar deal to what the rangers duped the brewers into doesnt look real enticing for bowden.  unless a major injury occurs to an outfielder on one of the central division contenders, my gut tells me he will end up in anahiem/LA/disneyland/hollywood/tinseltown...or which ever city the angels are in this week.

that al harrington to the pacers deal has to be close.  well, it's been close for like weeks now, but reports keep saying it could happen any minute.  no news on this situation sounds like bad news to me.

hey isiah thomas: glenn robinson is available.  i think tom gugliatta is as well.  they're worth at least a few million...trust me.

nfl football is back!  ok, its just the start of training camp.  but at least we get to hear from T.O. every five minutes about how he doesnt really want to be a vocal leader, but if he feels it is necessary to speak out, he will.  yeah, there's a shocker.  he's always been such a quiet guy...rarely a peep out of him.

woohoo! more rain.  maybe the dry spell is finally broken.  it's like a hitting slump for a career .315 hitter.  you dont get anything for a long time, then they tease you with a drop or 2 (bloop single over the head of a no-range-having shortstop) and then all at once you get a couple inches 3 times in about 10 days (or going 3-5 four out of 6 games, and 2-4 in the other 2).

now if we could just break this heat wave.  california is finally cooling off a little, but the midwest and east coast are roasting, and will be for a few days anyway.  today's expected high is 97-99, and tomorrow could reach 101.  this IS the frozen tundra here, we're not supposed to get this freakin hot....EVER!

i'm going to go watch the skeleton brewer crew try not to embarrass themselves...for the 2nd game in a row i might add.  i'm not counting any chickens just yet.  it's still early.