Rosenthal crystallizes it very well.

Ken Rosenthal / FOXSports.com
Posted: 30 minutes ago

Quick thoughts on the Cubs’ signing of free-agent outfielder Alfonso Soriano to an eight-year, $136 million contract:

# The Cubs aren’t done.

They’ve upgraded the offense by adding Soriano and second baseman Mark DeRosa to first baseman Derrek Lee and third baseman Aramis Ramirez, and they still might add another bat, preferably left-handed. More pressing is their need to find two starting pitchers, one through free agency (Gil Meche?), another through trade (Jason Jennings?).

# Free-agent left fielder Carlos Lee also will hit the jackpot.

One executive predicts that C. Lee, the best remaining slugger on the free-agent market, might land a six-year, $100 million deal. That would be excessive for a player who might be a designated hitter in two years, but the Orioles and Astros are hot on Lee, and the Giants will be as well if they lose Barry Bonds.
More after the jump »

Ken Rosenthal / FOXSports.com
Posted: 5 hours ago

Francisco Rodriguez, Scot Shields and now Justin Speier.

The Angels, adding to one of the game’s top bullpens, have agreed with Speier on a four-year, $18 million free-agent contract, FOXSports.com has learned.

The length of the contract, first reported by ESPN.com, is a surprise, considering that Speier, a right-hander, recently turned 33.

The complete statistical data can be found here

COLUMBUS, Ohio — For now, the BCS numbers add up to an Ohio State-Michigan rematch for the national championship. But Southern California could prevent that with two more victories. Michigan was impressive enough in a 42-39 loss to the Buckeyes to retain second place in the Bowl Championship Series standings released Sunday, by a slim margin over USC.

“I’m not surprised,” Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said of Michigan retaining second place. “The pollsters had to be impressed with the way (Michigan) has played.”

Michigan’s BCS average was .926. The Trojans, who have two games left, were at .919.

More after the jump »

Will Andy Reid get the short hair cut in Philly after this season…perhaps

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Eagles lost Donovan McNabb for the rest of the season with a torn knee ligament in a 31-13 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

McNabb went down on the second play of the second quarter and was carted off the field. McNabb was rolling to his right near the Tennessee sideline and was bumped out of bounds by Kyle Vanden Bosch after throwing an incomplete pass. He grabbed his right knee and was immediately tended to by trainers.

He tore the anterior cruciate ligament.

just .075 ahead of USC

more later

Cubs are willing to spend the money…best team on paper!

SportsTicker

CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs‘ ownership is showing new manager Lou Piniella that they are serious about winning.

Chicago radio station ESPN 1000 reported Sunday that the Cubs have agreed to an eight-year contract worth approximately $136 million with outfielder Alfonso Soriano.

This comes from the ‘no kidding’ department.

DeWitt insisted “we’ve got the resources” to address three vacancies within the starting rotation via free agency but cautioned that the club is not prepared to drive a market that could offer Cardinals National League Championship Series MVP Jeff Suppan an average annual value approaching $10 million.

“It’s not just a matter of spending money,” DeWitt cautioned. “It’s spending the money wisely and filling the needs we have to improve the club.”

DeWitt’s comments square with suggestions that the Cardinals will be only bit players for marquee names such as former AL Cy Young Award winner Barry Zito and Jason Schmidt. Without eliminating either pitcher by name, DeWitt insisted the club is unlikely to break with a philosophy slanted against awarding pitchers five-year contracts.

So what about that premium hitter that Jocketty wants?

More after the jump »