SportsBurn

The Chicago Blackhawks signed John Madden on Thursday, adding a veteran center who has spent his entire 10-year career with the New Jersey Devils. The 36-year-old Madden signed a one-year contract. Terms were not disclosed. Madden helped the Devils make the playoffs the last nine seasons, including Stanley Cup titles in 2000 and 2003. - [Read more]

A day after jumping to Detroit, Ben Gordon told a Chicago radio station Thursday that the Bulls never made a contract offer even though general manager Gar Forman claimed re-signing him was their No. 1 priority. "I mean they didn't pursue me at all. They didn't even make an offer so it was pretty much a one-man race," Gordon told ESPN Radio 1000 in Chicago. - [Read more]

Joey Votto still has his touch in the clutch. Votto turned a tough pitch into a two-out single with the bases loaded in the 10th inning Thursday, sending Cincinnati to a 3-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on an afternoon that was as frustrating as it gets for the Reds until the final swing. Leave it to Votto to come through.

The NFL suspended Jets linebacker Calvin Pace for four games without pay Thursday for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances. Pace will miss New York's first four games of the season and be eligible to return for the Monday night game at Miami on Oct. 12. In a statement issued by the Jets, Pace said the ban is a result of him taking an over-the-counter dietary... - [Read more]

David Beckham has become a bad teammate on the Los Angeles Galaxy, according to Landon Donovan. "All that we care about at a minimum is that he committed himself to us," Donovan was quoted as saying in an excerpt of Grant Wahl's "The Beckham Experiment," scheduled for publication July 14. - [Read more]

Two team owners wont put Jeremy Mayfield in their cars this weekend at Daytona International Speedway, one because of sponsor concerns and the other because Mayfield is ``marked following his legal battle with NASCAR. - [Read more]

Defending champion Paula Creamer has withdrawn from the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic because of an injured left thumb. Creamer was scheduled to tee off at 9:10 a.m. in Thursday's opening round along with five-time Farr winner Se Ri Pak and In-Kyung Kim. But she notified tournament director Judd Silverman that she was pulling out of the tournament. - [Read more]

The Chicago Cubs have acquired Jeff Baker from the Colorado Rockies, according to a source close to the club.

It is unclear who the Rockies will receive in return for Baker or the Cubs plans for him.

Baker, an infielder, went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 27 and was transferred to the 60-day DL on May 24. He began a minor league rehab assignment June 19.

Hank Blalock didn't put any extra significance on Wednesday night's game-winning homer or his team's success thus far against the Los Angeles Angels. Blalock's second homer of the game, a two-run shot with two outs in the ninth inning, gave Texas a 9-7 victory and moved the Rangers within one-half game of the first-place Angels in the AL West.

The New York Rangers are already spending the money saved when Scott Gomez was traded to the Montreal Canadiens, handing it over to flashy forward Marian Gaborik. New York made its usual splash in the free-agent market Wednesday night by signing Gaborik, who scored a career-high 42 goals in the 2007-08 season with the Minnesota Wild. - [Read more]

A person with the knowledge of the negotiations says the Detroit Pistons have agreed in principle to contracts with free agents Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva. The person spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday night on the condition of anonymity because NBA rules prohibit teams from announcing free agent signings until next week. - [Read more]

Eddie House decided Tuesday against free agency and will remain with the Boston Celtics next season, according to his agent, Mark Bartelstein.

According to the Boston Globe, House, who could have exercised a player option and declared for free agency Wednesday, has one year remaining on a contract worth $2.86 million.

"Eddie is staying in the contract, Bartelstein said. "It was a tough decision. But, when it was all said and done, Eddie loved his time in Boston, he feels like he is on a championship contender, he really enjoys playing with his teammates and playing for Doc [Rivers], and the fans have been great to him. Hell stay at least one more year and he can go into free agency next year, if he wants. But he has a comfort zone there; hes enjoyed the experience, and he didnt want to walk away from it.

House, 31, averaged 8.5 points off the bench in 81 games last season.

The Detroit Pistons are challenging the Chicago Bulls for the rights to guard Ben Gordon, the Chicago Tribune reported.

According to the Tribune, the Bulls planned to contact Raymond Brothers, Gordons agent, who has turned down offers of $50 million over five years and $54 million over six years the previous two summers.

Gordon, the Bulls leading scorer for the last four seasons, never has backed off his publicly stated desire to remain in Chicago. He reiterated that desire to close associates on Tuesday. Similarly, general manager Gar Forman consistently has said the Bulls want to re-sign Gordon, according to the Tribune.

The Tribune reported that the Bulls have roughly $63.9 million worth of contracts committed for the 2009-10 season. This number doesnt include the scaled rookie contracts of draft picks James Johnson and Taj Gibson, which combine for roughly $2.75 million.

The league office will release the luxury tax threshold on July 8. Most league observers expect that figure to land somewhere near $69 million. Barring a trade, that means the Bulls only would have approximately $2.5 million to offer Gordon in the first year of a multiyear deal if they want to avoid incurring the luxury tax penalty.

It is the reason why Detroit believes it can steal Gordon from the Bulls.

Kobe Bryant has decided not to participate in the free agent frenzy that begins later Wednesday.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Bryant elected not to terminate the final two years of his contract and was expected to sign a three-year extension sometime this month.

The Times reported Bryant would make a guaranteed $47.8 million over the next two years and could earn another $86 million to $91 million with the extension, depending on NBA salary-cap figures to be determined in 2011.

There was optimism that the sides would reach agreement, one source familiar with the situation calling it "a layup" but declining to speak further about specifics.

The Times reported that under terms of the extension, the earliest Bryant could opt out again would probably be June 2012, three seasons from now. To do that, however, would leave more than $60 million on the table over the last two years.

In other words, Bryant, who has spent his entire 13-year career with the Lakers, might very well retire with them. He will be 31 next month.

Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericksthe Mavs owner, confirmed to the New York Daily News in an e-mail Tuesday that he planned to meet with guard Jason Kidd at 12:01 a.m., the official start of the free agent recruiting period. It is believed that the Mavs will offer Kidd a contract starting at $8 million per over two years with an option for a third.

Unless the Knicks negotiate a sign-and-trade with Kidd and Dallas, the club can offer him only its mid-level exception starting at approximately $5.8 million. Knicks president Donnie Walsh and coach Mike DAntoni are hoping to convince Kidd that he can rejuvenate a doormat franchise the same way he did nearly 10 years ago in New Jersey, according to the Daily News.

According to the Daily News, Kidd is intrigued by the possibility of playing and living in New York, which is both good and bad for the Knicks. He would provide leadership, assuming the 36-year-old point guard is committed to the team and not just spending the twilight years of his career enjoying Manhattan.

The Knicks, however, believe the addition of Kidd would bring instant credibility and would strengthen their chances of possibly adding LeBron James or Dwyane Wade when the two superstars become free agents in 2010, the Daily News reported.

The New York Giants may have lost a pair of veteran wide receivers, but the team believes quarterback Eli Manning will be able to make up the different with experience, the New York Post reported.

"Were going to put more of the onus on him," Giants GM Jerry Reese said.

And how did Manning respond?

"I think you got a quarterback going into his sixth year and . . . some young receivers," Manning told The Post Tuesday. "Its my job to make sure those guys are on the same page and my job to be a leader and take control of the offense and the passing game.

"As a quarterback youre always going to be a leader, but now Im one of the older guys on the offense."

Its appears the Arizona Diamondbacks dont have right-hander Danny Haren on the trading block — just as the Los Angeles Angels, who apparently inquired about his availability.

According to Foxsports.com, the D-backs do not intend to trade Haren, who leads the National League in ERA.

"I almost cant conceive of a package that would motivate us to move him," one Diamondbacks official said.

According to Foxsports.com, The D-backs, viewing Haren as a critical part of their future, declined to engage in serious discussions with the Angels, who could have used their surplus of catchers and middle infielders to put together a blockbuster offer. The report indicated the talks could accelerate if the Angels overwhelmed the Diamondbacks with the right combination of players, one source said. But such a deal, for now, appears to be a longshot.

The Angels motivation in pursuing Haren is obvious — to add him to a rotation that already includes Lackey, right-hander Jered Weaver and left-hander Joe Saunders and is awaiting the return of righty Ervin Santana.

New York Mets assistant general manager John Ricco, who is accompanying the team on its current road trip, revealed Tuesday the team inquired several times about Mark DeRosa when he was with the Cleveland Indians.

According to the New York Post, Ricco said the Mets thought the asking price for DeRosa — right-hander Bobby Parnell — was too high.

Ricco said he and general manager Omar Minaya have been working the phones looking for a deal.

"We have plenty of holes to fill, and Omar is making a lot of calls," Ricco said. "Im making calls. From that standpoint, we couldnt be any more aggressive."

New York Yankees general manager said there are a lot of benefits to having Eric Hinske, who was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates Tuesday for a pair of minor league players.

Cashman told the New York Times: "He knows his role. He can help us at third, first, left, right, D.H. He can pinch-hit, and thats a difficult thing, to be used to doing something like that and handling it. And hes a pro. Hes been through the trenches in the American League East."

In a broader sense, Hinske is taking the place of outfielder Xavier Nady, who was on track to return this week before reinjuring his elbow last Thursday and ending his season. The Yankees had already been counting on having a more experienced bat on the bench, and in Hinske, they get the bonus of a player who can still play third base, the Times reported.

The Milwaukee Brewers will take a good look at right-hander Brandon Backe, the former Astro who was designated for assignment last week and refused a trip to Houstons Triple-A club on Monday, according to MLB.com.

Backe, 31, missed two months with an oblique injury and then didnt pitch well in four relief appearances and one start for Houston, allowing 21 hits, 15 earned runs and five home runs in 13 innings. Hes due $1.55 million this season, but his new club would only be responsible for a prorated portion of the $400,000 Major League minimum.

"You have to at least take a look," Brewers assistant general manager Gord Ash said.

The Philadelphia 76ers dont have to do much thinking when it comes to where to begin when the free agency period Wednesday. For the Sixers, it all begins with point guard Andre Miller, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

"Hes the main free agent, an important free agent," said Sixers president and general manager Ed Stefanski. "Neither of us is going to be at each others doorstep at 12:01 a.m., but we will talk on July 1. Theres no doubt."

After Miller, Stefanski will fill the remaining gaps to form the 2009-2010 roster.

Wednesday is when the Sixers are allowed to contact Miller, an unrestricted free agent, to begin discussions about what it might take - how much money and over how many years - to re-sign the teams 33-year-old starting point guard, the Inquirer reported.

Although teams may begin negotiating with free agents Wednesday, contracts may not be signed until July 8.

Miller, who last season averaged 16.3 points and 6.5 assists, is represented by Andy Miller, who has said his clients No. 1 option is to remain with the Sixers.

Danny Ainge, the President of Basketball Operations for the Boston Celtics, told the Boston Globe Monday the team will make a qualifying offer to forward Glen "Big Baby Davis.

If another NBA team were to sign Davis, a restricted free agent, to an offer sheet, Boston would have seven days to match it.

Davis, whose annual salary is $711,517, increased his value with strong performances late in the regular season and playoffs, replacing the injured Kevin Garnett in the starting lineup, the Globe reported. Davis averaged 15.8 points and 5.6 rebounds in the postseason, and hit a game-winning jumper at the buzzer in Game 4 of the second-round series against Orlando.

Also, guard Eddie House will decide today on whether to accept his $2.86 million option for next season or become a free agent, according to agent Mark Bartelstein.

According to the Globe, free agent guard Stephon Marbury said he would like to re-sign with the Celtics if he is offered a fair deal. Marbury will be an unrestricted free agent beginning tomorrow and is excited about the possibility of making a title run again next season.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers has said he hopes Marbury will be back.

Ervin Santana rejoined the Los Angeles Angels Monday and said he felt fine after a 45-pitch rehabilitation start.

In that start, Santana gave up three hits, struck out seven and walked none in 3¹⁄³ innings of an Arizona Summer League game in Phoenix.

Santana, on the disabled list because of an inflamed triceps, will throw in the bullpen Wednesday, and if he comes out of that workout OK, Manager Mike Scioscia said Santana will be folded back into the rotation this weekend against Baltimore.

According to the Boston Globe, the Boston Bruins had a deal in place Friday to ship right winger Phil Kessel, their high-scoring restricted free agent, to the Toronto Maple Leafs for veteran defenseman Tomas Kaberle, just the kind of skilled, minutes-crunching blue liner who could make Boston a bona fide contender to be an Eastern Conference playoff champion, maybe even a Stanley Cup champion, next spring.

The Globe, quoting to sources on both sides of the deal who had first-hand knowledge of the negotiations, the Bruins arrived at the draft late Friday afternoon believing they were swapping Kessel, 21, for Kaberle, 31. The Bruins initially asked for Torontos top pick in this past weekends draft, No. 7 overall, to be included in the swap. But when Toronto general manager Brian Burke turned down that package, Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli countered with Kessel and Bostons top pick next June for Kaberle and the No. 7.

A swap of players. A swap of first-round picks. Deal done. Or so the Bruins believed. So much so, said one source, that they planned to select hard-rock winger Zack Kassian with the No. 7 pick.

When the Bruins front-office brass arrived at the Bell Centre in Montreal around 4:30 p.m., some 2½ hours before the draft, Chiarelli and Burke soon met among the forest of 30 team tables spread out over half the arenas floor. It was at that point, one of the sources said Monday, when Chiarelli first learned that Burke believed the only pick in the deal was the first-rounder the Bruins would hand over in 2010.

The No. 7 pick, Burke believed, remained his, and he stood ready to acquire Kessel and Bostons top pick next June in what amounted to a two-for-one for Kaberle.

The response from a near-speechless Chiarelli: No deal, according to the Globe.

The Philadelphia Eagles may not have Brian Westbrook back yet, but they have secured the services of his projected back-up according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The report indicated the Eagles signed McCoy, a second-round draft choice, was signed to a four-year deal Monday. Terms were not disclosed.

The 20-year-old McCoy, the 53d pick overall, became the first second-rounder to agree to a contract. The Birds have come to terms with seven of their eight picks — all except first-round selection Jeremy Maclin, a wide receiver out of Missouri.