Deal For "Big Z" Looks Promising

It appears that Carlos Zambrano will get his wish and will remain a Cub. The two sides seem to agree that a deal will get done before tomorrow, which is the deadline Zambrano gave the team to sign him. He isn't a free agent until next season, however, he did state that if a contract was not signed before the start of the season, no talks would continue until the season was over. Given this case, if the Cub's didn't sign Zambrano he was free to walk.

The deal is believed to be at the 5 year mark, but the financials of the deal is still being worked out. Apparently the Cubs are offering a little less than what Barry Zito received from the Giant's this offseason. Zambrano also stated he would take less to stay in Chicago.

Signing Zambrano would solidify their staff, and if Kerry Wood and Mark Prior could ever get healthy, Chicago could have one of the best pitching staff's in baseball. Too bad that is a BIG IF! Expect the Zambrano deal to be offical in the next 24 hours.

In other news, Freddy Sanchez, last year's NL batting champion will start the season on the DL. He is still suffering ill-effects from his knee sprain and will make sure he is fully healed before returning to the lineup. This is good for the Pirates, given Sanchez is one of their better players and could have a break out year at the plate. No one expects Pittsburg to make the playoffs this year regardless, so keep your best players healthy.

The Countdown is on!

Well, we are down to less than 48 hours until baseball officially starts! I, for one, am very excited. Being a Toronto Blue Jay's fan all my live, ever since I have been a little boy, there is actually something to cheer about for the Jays. For the first time since 1993, we actually have a shot to overthrow the powerful Yankees.

This will be no easy task, but with a healthy Halladay and Burnett, and a lineup as letal as the Jays, we could be in for a surprising season.

Some news from around the league.

According to ESPN, the Tigers have agreed to terms with shortstop Carlos Guillen on a four-year, $48 million extension through 2011. This is probably a good deal for the Tigers, given Guillen is a great SS, who is very underrated. I think he'll have a good year, but they have to be careful because Guillen is injury prone.

More Detroit Tigers news, just not good news. SP Kenny Rogers required surgery to remove a blood clot. He is not scheduled to be back to the Tigers starting rotation until July.

In addition, Scott Shields has agreed to a three-year contract extension through 2010. From Rotoworld, "Shields, already due $3.4 million this season, would have been eligible for free agency after 2008. He'll make $4.25 million in 2008, $5 million in 2009 and $5.35 million in 2010, making the extension worth $14.6 million."

BoSox Tops Baseballs Power Rankings

According to CBSSportsline, the Boston Red Sox are atops of their weekly power rankings.

With only a few days until the regular season begins, the Red Sox have a trio of starting pitchers who would be an ace on most of the teams in the majors, not to mention a letal lineup.

It is no surprise that the AL East is going to be the division to watch this year. With the Red Sox, Yankees, and up and coming Blue Jays, it is no wonder that 3 of the top 6 teams in the power rankings are from this division. It should be a very interesting season, and with a healthy Holiday and AJ Burnett, Toronto could very well have the best 1-2 punch in baseball.

For the complete CBS power rankings, click here.

Briggs to Get His Wish?

Lance Briggs, LB for the defending NFC champions has requested a trade and that may soon come true.

Briggs has already said he would threaten to sit out for the first 10 games of the season if a trade isn't made by the time the season starts.

The Washington Redskins, who missed out on getting CB Dre Bly from Denver, is looking very hard at Briggs, who also would sign him to a large contract averaging about 7.5 million a season (according to a source).

The potential deal would send the no. 6 overall pick to the Bears, in exchange for Briggs and the Bear's no. 31 pick in the draft.

According to rotoworld, the Bears have rejected this proposal... for now. Although I think by the time the draft comes around they will accept this trade. Right now, they are forced to take a stance with Briggs, because they simply cannot be "bullied" by every player who wants to sit out for more money.

Denver to Keep Bly, Signed Big Contract Extention

The Broncos signed CB Dre' Bly to a five-year, $33 million contract according to Adam Schefter on nfl.com. The deal includes $18 million in bonus money, with $16 million guaranteed.

Trade rumors were swirling with the most likely destination for Bly being the Washington Redskins. The deal never happened (believed because Denver wanted more than what Washington would offer) so they locked up their corner for the next 5 years.

Even though Bly is 30, he is still a very good cover CB, and you cannot argue that with Champ Bailey on the opposing side to Bly, Denver has one of the better secondaries in the AFC.

DePietro Out! NY Islanders Going the Same Route?

Rick DePietro will sit out for the game against the Devil's tonight due to headaches. According to ESPN, DePietro complained again of headaches after the Islanders' overtime loss to the New York Rangers on Sunday. The team wouldn't say whether DiPietro sustained a concussion when he was injured at Montreal on March 13, nor would it confirm if he has one now.

This could mean big trouble for the Islander's playoff hopes. They are currently in 8th place and will be starting goaltender Mike Dunham who has been less than effective to say the least.

With only 7 games remaining, and the Habs and Leafs waiting on the outside to grab that 8th and final playoff spot, it doesn't really look too good for the Islanders without their starting goalie.

Eagles get Bills' LB Spikes

The Eagles just made a huge improvement to their linebacker corp by trading for Bills LB Takeo Spikes. In exchange, the Eagles are sending DT Darwin Walker.

Spikes is a former pro-bowler but was limited to just 12 games last year due to injury (and also missed a great deal of playing time in 2005 because of a torn achillies).

Also included in the deal was backup QB Kelly Holcomb, going from Buffalo to Philly. Most likely, he will be the 3rd string QB behind McNabb and AJ Feeley (who just signed a new deal with the Eagles).

This, I feel is really an excellent trade for both teams. They both swapped quality players at different position, and both teams have a younger person available to replace the departed. This should be a big help to both teams.

This deal was originally reported by ESPN. Source