the Cheap Seats

Charlotte Bobcats Expansion Draft

Last night the Charlotte Bobcats drafted 19 players to begin forming there team. Here is a list of the players and their contracts:

1. Gerald Wallace SG: 1 year, $1.7 Million
2. Jason Kapono SF: 1 year, $620,000
3. Theron Smith SF: 1 Year, $620,000 (team option)
4. Brandon Hunter PF: 1 Year, $620,000 (team option)
5. Primoz Brezec C: 1 Year $1.5 million
6. Jamal Sampson PF/C: 1 Year, $695,000 (team option)
7. Tamar Slay SG/SF: Restrcited Free Agent
8. Predrag Drobnjak C: 2 years, $4.7 Million
9. Jahidi White C: 1 Year, $6.2 Million
10. Alexander Pavlovic SG/SF: 3 years $4.3 Million
11. Zaur Pachulia C: 1 Year, $620,000
12. Marcus Fizer PF: Restricted Free Agent
13. Jeff Trepagnier G: Restricted Free Agent
14. Lonny Baxter PF: Restricted Free Agent
15. J.R. Bremer PG: Restricted Free Agent
16. Maurice Carter SG: Restricted Free Agent
17. Desmond Ferguson SG: Restricted Free Agent
18. Richie Frahm G: Restricted Free Agent
19. Loren Woods C: Restricted Free Agent.

It is widely thought that, Wallace, Kapono, Smith, Hunter, Sampson , Brezec and Slay are here to stay, but the other are up in the air. they could be allowed to walk into free agency.

Rice and Beans?

On my way to work this morning, I listened to Mike and Mike on ESPN. Greeny stated that he spoke with Jerry Rice recently and Rice told him he planned to play 5 more years. To do so he admitted to adding 25 pounds of muscle this off-season. A debate over that comment was soon on the airwaves. One of the reasons that Bonds gets a lot of criticism is that he gained 30 pounds in 3 years. Take away the glaring fact that he is linked directly with Balco, most poeple would still think he was on steriods. So why does Jerry Rice get a pass? Is it because the NFL has a strict drug testing policy? Is it because Jerry Rice is the Anti-Barry when it comes to addressing the media. Whatever it is, it is a double standard. How come it is okay for one guy to put on wieght to prolong his career and baseball players get grilled when they add 5-10 pounds?

The problem is baseball. There needs to be a drug testing policy in place, the nthe questions start to ease. The players reps get restored. It is that simple. People beliee Rice because he is an NFL player (for 20 + years now) and never ONCE tested positive for ANY drug. MLB, take a page out of the NFL book, get a drug testing policy in right away.

MLB Trade Rumors

The season within the season, as I like to refer to it. Trading season. Teams that are out of it, dump their high-priced, againg talent for young prosepcts and build for the future.

This year is no different, and with 6 weeks to go until the trade deadline, things have already started to heat up. Here are the rumors and what you need to know.

1. Freddy Garica P Seattle: Many assume that Garcia is on the block, but Seattle's GM is saying that they are not giving up on the season just yet. In my eyes, it is just a matter of time, but Garcia is most likely going to be the best available pitcher this year.

Most Likely Destinations: New York (either team), Boston, Atlanta (don't rule out the Braves), San Francisco, Los Angeles or Saint Louis.

2. Carlos Beltran OF Kansas City: Here is a very interesting scenario. Beltran is young, just turned 27, and is just enetering his prime. However, Kansas City can't afford to re-sign him next year and with Scott Boras already saying that he is going to test the free agent market. So essentially the Royals are asking for two MLB ready prospects, a 3B and a C, for a three month rental of Beltran.

MLD's: Boston, Atlanta, Florida, San Francisco. Remember San Francisco rented Ponson last year and gave up a nice arm in Kurt Ainsworth. Bonds doesn't have any protection and he isn't getting any younger.

3. Barry Zito P Oakland: True the A's aren't out of it, but with Rich Harden arriving and Joe Blanton ready to explode onto the scene, the A's can part with Zito. Not to mention they think Zito is tipping his pitches and people have figured out how to hit him. Billy Beane doesn't have much money, but with Zito as a bargaining chip, he could get a nice piece of the puzzle figured out in Oakland. The A's desperately need a closer (Rhodes has been killing my fantasy team all year).

MLD's: New York (either team), Boston, Texas, Florida

4. Steve Finley OF Arizona and Frank Catalanotto Of Toronto: They can be had for less than what the others are asking for, and won't make a huge difference, but maybe just big enough to help a team make the push for a division title.

MLD's: Oakland, Atlanta, Saint Louis

5. Jamie Moyer P Seattle: Even though Seattle is not giving up on the year, they can afford to let Moyer go. He is a cagey lefty hander and could be a great addition to a team chasing the pennant. He said he would waive his no trade caluse in a second to go to Boston or New York.

MLD's: New York Yankees, Los Angeles, Boston, Saint Louis

NBA Just heating Up

Just days after the Lakers were upset (and dominated) by the Detroit Pistons, things are just beginning to heat up in the NBA.

Tonight the Charlotte Bobcats beging to build their team with the expansion draftn and trade rumors have been flying around all week. Let's get you caught up shall we.

On Friday the Nets removed the interim tag and picked up the option on Lawrence Frank for the 2004-2005 season. Phil Jackson and the Lakers terminated his contract, rumor has it that Isiah Thomas might be looking at him as the next coach of the Knicks. Rumor also has it that Isiah might be looking to go to Charlotte.

Tracey McGrady looks to be on his way to Houston to team up with Shaq. The unofficial deal has Tracey McGrady and Juwan Howard going to Houston for Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley and Kelvin Cato.

Shaquille O'Neal will need to bring the Lakers a lot of young players too, but it is very likely that O'Neal will not be a Laker anymore. Ideally the Lakers would like to move him into the East, with an Indiana or Detroit, a team that can provide some good young players in a trade. Shaq wants to go to Dallas. The question is can anyone afford his $29 milion price tage for this upcoming year and the $32 he gts after that.

What does this all mean for Kobe Bryant? Kobe filed for free agency on Firday as an unrestricted free agent. The Lakers are shopping Shaq around because they have committed to moving forward with Kobe as their #1 man. They want to build the team around him. Look for the Lakers to match any offer made for Kobe, and look for Kobe to sign wit hthe Lakers, now that Shaq is out of the picture.

Called up to the Majors

Yes, earlier this week I was called up to the Majors and am now writing sports for Gothamist. Cheap Seats fans don't fret, once I am settled in with my new team, I will be back in this spot, with random thoughts and strange ideas...and sports...oh yeah, can't forget those sports. Hang tight!

List of Unprotected Players in the 2004 Charlotte Bobcats Expansion Draft

On June 22nd (or June 23rd if the Finals go to a game 7) the Charlotte Bobcats will be allowed to select from the following list of players and fill their roster. Each NBA team can protect up to 8 players. Charlotte will draft a minimum of 14 players currently under contract. Charlotte can only draft ONE player from each team. The list below are of those players who are available:

Atlanta: Alan Henderson F-C
Boston: Chucky Atkins G, Ernest Brown C, Brandon Hunter F, Jumaine Jones F and Michael Stewart F
Chicago: Antonio Davis C-F, Ronald Dupree F, Marcus Fizer F, Scottie Pippen G-F, Eddie Robinson F, Jerome Williams F-C
Cleveland: Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje F, Jason Kapono F, Ira Newble F, Kevin Ollie G
Dallas: Antoine Walker G-F, Tariq Abdul-Wahad G, Tony Delk G, Danny Forston C-F
Denver: Jeff Trepagnier
Golden State: J.R. Bremer G, Evan Eschmeyer C, Popeye Jones F
Houston: Adrian Griffin G-F, Eric Piatkowski G-F, Maurice Taylor F
Indiana: Jermaine O' Neal (JUST KIDDING), Jamison Brewer G, Primoz Brezec C, Austin Croshere F, Anthony Johnson G, James Jones F, Scot Pollard F-C
L.A. Clippers: Matt Barnes F, Keyon Dooling G, Predrag Drobnjak C, Eddie House G, Josh Moore C
Memphis: Troy Bell G, Ryan Humphrey F, Dahntay Jones G-F, Bo Outlaw F, Theron Smith F, Jake Tsakalidis C, Lorenzen Wright C
Miami: Brian Grant C- F, Eddie Jones G, Loren Woods C
Minnesota: Ervin Johnson C
Milwaukee: Brian Skinner C-F, Erick Strickland G
New Jersey: Kerry Kittles G-F, Alonzo Mourning C, Rodney Rogers F, Tamar Slay G
New Orleans: Courtney Alexander G, Maurice Carter G
New York: Shandon Anderson G-F, Penny Hardaway G-F, Allan Houston G, Moochie Norris G, Cezary Trybanski C
Orlando: Reece Gaines G, Britton Johnsen F, Zaza Pachulia C, Deshawn Stevenson G
Philadelphia: Greg Buckner F-G, Marc Jackson F-C, Todd MacCoullough C, Aaron McKie G, Derrick Coleman F-C
Phoenix: Howard Eisley G, Jahidi White C-F
Portland: Omar Cook G, Dan Dickau G, Desmond Ferguson F, Eddie Gill G, Ruben Patterson F-G, Vladmir Stepania C, Qyntel Woods F
Sacramento: Gerald Wallace F
San Antonio: Matt Carroll G, Malik Rose F, Charlie Ward G
Seattle: Calvin Booth C, Jerome James C, Richie Frahm G, Vitaly Potapenko C-F
Utah: Curtis Borchandt C, Aleksander Pavlovic F
Washington: Lonny Baxter F, Juan Dixon G, Christian Laettner F-C, Jerry Stackhouse G-F

The 500 Club

When Mickey Mantle retired from baseball he was #3 on the all-time homerun list. A few days ago he was passed by Rafael Palmeiro. Mantle is now #12 on the list. We all know that Mantle will be remembered as a better player than Palmeiro (no offense to Raffy), but in a day and age when stats are the end all be all of every conversation, we are entering a dangerous time.

Where do we draw the line on who makes the Hall Of Fame? Does Palmeiro? Does Edgar Martinez? Does Jeff Bagwell? How About Griffey, Jr., Fred McGriff, Juan Gonzalez and Frank Thomas? Many people say that if Fred McGriff hits 8 more homeruns and breaks into the 500 club, it will be a true test to see if 500 Homeruns is a lock for the Hall. I don't think McGriff will make it, I don't think Juan Gonzalez should make it either, there needs to be a new system to induct these players.

Big Apple Bowl

NEW YORK – The Big East Conference, the New York City Sports Commission, the New York Jets and the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame today announced the creation of the Big Apple Bowl. This annual college football game will be held at the New York Sports and Convention Center (NYSCC) - proposed future home of the New York Jets. Big East Conference Commissioner Mike Tranghese, New York Jets President Jay Cross, National Football Foundation President Bob Casciola and Ken Podziba, Commissioner of the Sports Commission made the announcement.

The Big Apple Bowl will give New Yorkers the opportunity to enjoy a postseason college football game and bring 75,000 new visitors to the City annually while generating up to $8 million in fiscal impact. New York City has not hosted a college bowl game since the Gotham Bowl was played in Yankee Stadium in 1962.

For more information see this link.

Michael Moore Stinks, America Rules!

I am sorry but I am sick and tired of Michael Moore and his self-rightgeousness, I don't like Michael Moore one bit. Here is a guy that doesn't even do charity events unless it is for his celebrities friends in Hollywood. Don't believe me, read about it here.

He spends all his time making documentaries about how bad America is, yet he doesn nothing but profit from it.

Here is another blurb about Moore from Ray Bradbury, the author of Farenheit 451, which Moore stole the title of his next Bush bashing movie. "The 84-year-old science-fiction author railed against the filmmaker in a recent interview with a Swedish newspaper, calling him a "screwed a- -hole" for borrowing the title of [Ray Bradbury]'s classic "Fahrenheit 451" for his new anti-Bush documentary" read the rest here.

You don't have to like the president, or agree with him, or his actions, Lord knows I did not agree with anything that Clinton did, but if I hear one more person say that they are ashamed to be an American, I am going to personally escort them to the border and revoke their passport. If you don't like it...LEAVE. No one is holding you prisoner here. Sorry, but it sickens me. Where did the unity go from 9-11? Where did the patriotism go? Voice your opinion, yes. Speak your mind, yes. If you are ashamed to be here, leave.

Check out this great website, thanks Steve. Click Here.

MLB 2004 Draft, New York, New York

Here is what are local teams did in yesterday's amateur baseball draft.

Yankees
1. (23) Phillip Hughes RHP 6'5 220 Foothill High School
1a. (37) Joanthon Poterson C 6'1 215 Chandler High School
2. (41) Jeffrey Marquez RHP 6'2 175 Sacramento CC
2. (42) Brett Smith RHP 6'5 220 UC-Irvine
3. (99) Christian Garcia RHP 6'4 175 Gulliver Prep
4. (129) Jason Jones RHP 6'5 225 Liberty University
5. (159) Jesse Hoover RHP 6'3 210 Indiana Institue of Tech
6. (189) Nathan Phillips SS 6'2 190 Grace Prep Academy
7. (219) Alex Garabedian C 6'2 210 Chrisopher Columbus HS

Mets
1.(3) Phillip Humber RHP 6'4 220 Rice University
2. (44) Matthew Durkin RHP 6'4 220 San Jose St
3. (74) Gabriel Hernandez RHP 6'3 215 Belen Jesuit Prep
4. (104) Aaron Hathaway C 6'0 190 Washington (UW)
5. (134) Nicholas Evans 3B 6'2 180 St. Mary's HS
6. (164) Ryan Coultas SS 6'3 180 California
7. (194) Scott Hyde RHP 6'5 215 George Fox U

Overall Draft Highlights

3 Rice Players taken in the top 10. Jered Weaver Falls to 12 (after being a top 3), Stephen Drew falling to 15 , teams don't think he really has the desire to play. The Moneyball A's took Landon Powell (C, South Carolina) and Richard Robnett (CF, Fresno State) with their two first round picks.

Top Ten
1. Matt Bush SS Mission Bay HS- San Diego Padres
2. Justin Verlander RHP Old Dominion University- Detroit Tigers
3. Phillip Humber RHP Rice University- New York Mets
4. Jeffrey Niemann RHP Rice University- Tampa Bay Devil Rays
5. Mark Rogers RHP Mt. Arafat School- Milwaukee Brewers
6. Jeremy Sowers LHP Vanderbilt University- Cleveland Indians
7. David Bailey RHP La Grange HS- Cincinnati Reds
8. Wade Townsend RHP Rice University- Baltimore Orioles
9. Christopher Nelson SS Redan HS- Colorado Rockies
10. Thomas Diamond RHP university of New Orleans- Montreal Expos