@SpearsNBAYahoo: Restricted free agent forward Wilson Chandler plans to re-sign with Nuggets once he returns from China, his agent Chris Luchey told Y!Sports

@SpearsNBAYahoo: Luchey tells Y! there is “significant interest” from other teams, but Chandler will re-sign either to rest of season or long-term with DEN.

After reading these tweets tonight there was one thing surprised me. Some might think it’s the fact that there is “significant interest” from other teams but it’s not that. In my opinion that was expected, Chandler has been a solid performer over his five seasons, averaging 13.9 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.

What surprised me is that the deal could be long-term. I wasn’t expecting any team to offer a long-term deal to any free agent at this point in the season. Typically you would see teams sign pro-rated contracts and wait till the off season to work something out.

Guess things are different when it’s a talent like Chandler, especially with the maturity he’s shown this year. He signed a deal in China knowing full and well there was no opt-out clauses should the NBA Lockout end. While other players bitched and moaned when the lockout did end Chandler just went about his business. In fact he’s been nothing short of dominant over there averaging 26 points and 11.3 rebounds per game.

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The only problem with Chandler joining the Nuggets is that knows when this will happen. The league he’s currently playing in has 17 teams and 8 of them make the playoffs. His team is currently in ninth place.

If his team were to miss the playoffs then his season would end on February 15th and he could be a NBA uniform within days.

If his team made the playoffs he could be playing till sometime in April depending on how far they go. That’s right April. So there’s a chance he won’t even play in 2012 which would make this only post worthless.

@Buster_ESPN: The Marlins could make an offer to Cespedes today. Meanwhile, the Orioles are assessing their level of interest.

Buster’s source is Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports – School of Roch. Kubatko is reporting that Fred Ferreira, the Orioles executive director of international scouting, will be taking a trip to the Dominican Republic within the next ten days to scout Cespedes. If he likes what he says one could presumably expect an offer to follow.

Ferreira will head to the Dominican Republic in about 10 days to watch Cespedes work out. This will be his first look at the 26-year-old Cuban defector since shortly after the Winter Meetings in December.

Ferreira has been reading reports provided by a few of his scouts during the Dominican Winter League. (MASN Sports – School of Roch)

Here’s my thoughts and get ready for a couple if statements. If the Marlins are unable to close the deal and if Ferreira likes what he sees then I think the Orioles have to pull the trigger here.

The only other free agent outfielder being mentioned with Baltimore right now is Manny Ramirez and one would have to assume Cespedes is the better option. Even if the guy winds up being a flop I’d rather give him a chance then someone who is going to have to sit out a third of the season.

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While in the Dominican, Ferreira is also going to take a look at another prospect, 19-year old Jorge Soler. He’s not going to cost the team who signs him much money at all as he’s far away from the big leagues. He’ll most likely have to start his career in Single-A so he’d be your normal pluck a kid from the Caribbean and hope he works out.

First video of Kobe at Larry’s Steaks in Wynnefield.

And here’s the note from Philly.com about Kobe hanging out at Delilah’s after the game.

Kobe Bryant drowned his sorrows over his hometown loss to the Sixers Monday night at Delilah’s (100 Spring Garden). The newly-single Lower Merion raised Lakers superstar dropped by the gentleman’s club around 1 a.m. Tuesday with a few friends and was joined a little later by teammate Andrew Bynum who had just dined at Del Frisco’s (15th & Chestnut). (Philly.com)

The Baltimore Orioles have had “exploratory talks” with free-agent slugger Manny Ramirez’s agent, club executive vice president Dan Duquette said Monday.

“We are still considering the composition of this club, and some of the challenges of integrating a player like Manny into our ball club and market,” Duquette said. (Philly.com)

If the Orioles were to sign Manny he’d have to serve a 50-game suspension for violating the leagues drug policy. That 50-game ban isn’t as bad as it seems since he would have had to sit 100 games if he didn’t retire last April.

I just don’t know why the Orioles or any team for that matter who would want to bring Manny in. Personally, I think it tells your team that you don’t think they’re good enough. You’re saying that you’d be willing to wait a third of the season for this former way past his prime star to come and replace them.

Oh wait I know why Orioles would do this…… It’s all about the dollar dollar bill y’all.

That’s right the Orioles are probably under the belief that Manny Ramirez would bring them additional income. They probably think he’ll help their dismal attendance figures. They probably think he’ll help jersey sales.

Well guess what? It’s not 2005 anymore, it’s 2012. Manny Ramirez isn’t bringing in any additional income. He may get the team some extra mentions on Sports Center and by the mainstream media but that’s it.

From a baseball perspective this move would hurt them more then anything. I could even see Manny pissing off Buck Showalter and spending most of the year on the bench.

Being a Yankees fan though all I think is go ahead Baltimore sign Manny and have fun, you’re organization is still a joke.

@Ken_Rosenthal: Sources: #Yankees in serious discussions with Ibanez. He is willing to take less to play for them than he could get elsewhere.

What surprises me the most about this tweet is how Raul is willing to take less money to play for the Bombers. I guess he knows if he’s not in Philadelphia the team that gives him the best chance to win in 2012 is the Yankees. Especially when you consider he’s a perfect fit in that stadium with the short porch.

Only thing else I have to say is Brian Cashman – Git RRRRRR Done!

She’s an ex-WAG as she’s dated 2 soccer players. They are Adrian Mutu who plays for Serie A a team in Italy and Matteo Ferrari who currently is a free agent. She’s got a son with Ferrari but is currently dating Philipp Plein a fashion designer.

But enough of that just enjoy the pictures.

Mike D’Antoni is not planning on having point guard Baron Davis before the All-Star break. The veteran point guard suffered a setback in his rehab from a herniated disc, the Knicks coach confirmed Monday morning.

“I think we had a little bit of a setback, safe to say, but I don’t know how bad,” D‘Antoni said. “”They (want him to rest) for three or four days to let it calm back down and if it calms down, we’ll pick up where he left off and go through the process of practicing.

“We’re still a week to ten days out when the process start, hopefully that’s tomorrow, but I don’t know.” (Knicks Knation – NY Daily News)

I’m kind of indifferent on this. Would I like to see Baron Davis on the court helping the Knicks get better? Of course. Do I think he’ll make enough of a difference to make this team a contender? Not a chance in hell.

So basically if he’s on the court that’s cool, if not whatever it’s no big deal.