WaitingForNextYear

NFL Free Agents: Defensive Ends

February 13, 2012 by Rick · 11 Comments

League-wide free agency begins March 13th. The Browns have stated all along they prefer to build the team through the draft, but will take a look at the players available in free agency. Previously we looked at the receivers available. Then a glance at the linebackers. Next, we stared longingly at offensive tackles before finishing last week with quarterbacks. Today, we look at the pass rush specialists on the d-line.

Last year the Browns sought to improve their struggling defensive line through the draft, selecting DT Phil Taylor and DE Jabaal Sheard. Both players were starters from week 1 and lived up to their draft status. Combined with Ahtyba Rubin, the Browns have three-fourths of a great defensive line in place. The Browns were disappointed in DE Jayme Mitchell, and are expected to replace him.

It is entirely possible that they do that through the draft, but could use free agency to fill the spot as well. There are plenty of candidates.

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MLB Trade Rumors: Would You Trade Travis Hafner for A.J. Burnett?

February 13, 2012 by TD · 28 Comments

I love Hot Stove talk. Pitchers and catchers report in less than two weeks and it appears as if the Indians are still looking to improve their roster. With Asdrubal Cabrera signing his one-year deal on Friday avoiding arbitration, the Tribe has everyone under contract for the 2012 season….and that’s it.

It’s now the worst kept secret in town, but the Tribe literally has nobody signed past 2012. Of course, they control the rights to many of their young players as well as club option years for the likes of Ubaldo Jimenez, Travis Hafner, and the man formerly known as Fausto Carmona. Many people are viewing this is a bad thing. I say, good for them. Remember all of these years where we have been saddled with the noose that is the Hafner contract, the deal that is considered among the most untradeable on the game.

That contract is finally going to be off the books after 2012 with the Indians surely buying out the remaining option year. But is it as untradeable as we all think? Yes, of course it is. However, GM Chris Antonetti could shed Hafner for the equivalent of the pitching version of his deal – Yankees starter A.J. Burnett. [Read More]

Varejao’s Injury Changes Cavs Outlook

February 12, 2012 by Ben · 9 Comments

Well, I didn’t want to watch the Cavs lose to the Heat in the first round anyways.

Whatever playoff hopes the Cavaliers had, losing Anderson Varejao to a wrist injury has dashed them considerably. It’s such a shame, as Anderson was having his best season and was finally getting some recognition for his invaluable contributions. But even in their best-case-scenario, these young Cavaliers had such a slim margin for error. Cleveland is a top heavy team with a decent, if unspectacular, bench and some aging pieces. For the Cavs to make the playoffs, a lot of things would’ve had to gone right and broke their way.

Things have not gone right.

[Read More]

Big Buford: Buckeyes Top Boilers In A Fast-Paced Thriller

February 8, 2012 by Kirk · Leave a Comment

William Buford is one of the most maddening players that I’ve ever had on the teams that I closely follow. In some of the biggest games of his career, he has failed to rise to the occasion with some hideous shooting performances. Overshadowed by other guards and forwards throughout most of his career, the lone senior on the team is often unfairly the scapegoat for some of the Buckeyes’ less than outstanding play. But, where the frustration enters is with a performances like last night’s against Purdue. Buford had a great shooting game, scoring a career-high 29 points on 10-of-17 shooting. More than the raw numbers, it was the fact that he was practically indefensible in the second half, piling up 21 of those 29 and carrying the offense with both Jared Sullinger and Aaron Craft on the bench due to foul trouble. Often a secondary headliner, Buford was the star in Ohio State’s up-tempo seesaw 87-84 victory.

For a good chunk of the game, it looked like the takeaway from this one would be another Jordan Taylor, E’Twaun Moore, Brandon Paul-type performance from a role player who got red hot and carried his team to victory, coming in the form of Purdue junior guard D.J. Byrd. Byrd, who averages around 7 points a game, had career highs with 24 points and 7 three pointers made. In fact, for a while, I was preparing myself to write about how a team could shoot above 60% against one of the best defensive teams in the nation in their own building. Throughout the game, Ohio State’s defense was simply not clicking. [Read More]

While We’re Waiting… Chisenhall’s Spot, Ferrell for All-Star and Misfit Cavaliers

February 13, 2012 by Rick · 4 Comments

While We’re Waiting serves as the early morning gathering of WFNY-esque information for your viewing pleasure. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email at tips@waitingfornextyear.com.

“If the Indians stick with their four man bench setup like in years past (12 pitchers, 13 position players), then barring injury the bench looks close to being set right now with catcher Lou Marson, infielder Jason Donald, outfielder/first baseman Shelley Duncan all but guaranteed spots. The fourth and final spot could be filled with Hannahan or Chisenhall so the Indians can carry both players, but the Indians will probably need that final spot on the bench for another right-handed bat like Aaron Cunningham, Ryan Spilborghs, or maybe even Jose Lopez.

So the true battle that involves Chisenhall this spring comes down to the Indians making the best decision on what to do with the 25th spot on the roster. Do they just do what they have in the past and stay with the 12-man pitching staff and just option Chisenhall to Columbus? This looks like the most ideal scenario. The only chance he may have to make the team is if they decide to have more flexibility with the lineup and only have 11 pitchers, thus creating another bench opening for someone like Hannahan since Chisenhall would be the regular third baseman if he is with the team.

You hate to send Chisenhall to the minors to open the season, but it may be what is best for the team in the short term. The pitching staff really trusts Hannahan over at third base, and Chisenhall is still adjusting to the big leagues. His defense and hitting both could use a little more polish in the minors, and he still does have all three of his options left.” [Tony/Indians Prospect Insider] [Read More]

More from WFNY

NFL Free Agents: Defensive Ends

By Rick 11 Comments

MLB Trade Rumors: Would You Trade Travis Hafner for A.J. Burnett?

By TD 28 Comments

While We’re Waiting… Chisenhall’s Spot, Ferrell for All-Star and Misfit Cavaliers

By Rick 4 Comments

Varejao’s Injury Changes Cavs Outlook

By Ben 9 Comments

Well, I didn't want to watch the Cavs lose to the Heat in the first round anyways. Whatever playoff hopes the Cavaliers had, losing Anderson Varejao to a wrist injury has dashed them considerably. … [Read More...]

Cavs fall to Sixers 99-84, Injuries Adding Up

By Ben 2 Comments

Missing three starters, the Cavs put up a valiant effort against the Atlantic Division leading Philadelphia 76s. Well, for the first quarter, anyway. The final three periods were practically … [Read More...]