Redskins Have Cap Space

CSNWashington reported yesterday that the Washington Redskins have roughly $26 million in cap space. The franchise currently has $93 million tied to contracts. Once the new CBA is in place the cap is expected to increase to $120 million. That will leave the Redskins $26 million dollars in cap space. That is plenty of room to allow them to be aggressive.

Expect that number to increase, however. If Donovan McNabb and Albert Haynesworth are dealt away from the team the Redskins will then have $34 million in cap space. That will be more than enough for the high spending Dan Snyder.

Keep in mind that not all of the money will be used to sign free agents. The Redskins still need to sign the twelve players drafted this past year. They will also need to look at extending contracts for players such as London Fletcher and LaRon Landry.

If the Redskins want to go out and acquire Santonio Holmes they will be able to. Keep in my mind that the Jets may have the right of first refusal which would surely stop the 'Skins from acquiring him. If the Redskins play their cards right, they could sign multiple quality free agents. The coming weeks should be crazy.

Redskins Have Ideas for Free Agency

Jason La Confora reported today that the Washington Redskins have at least four players on their radar for free agency: WR Santonia Holmes, DE Cullen Jenkins, NT Kris Jenkins, and G Marshall Yanda. Let's break this down.

The possibility of signing former Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes are very slim. The Jets have been adamant that retaining him for this season is a top priority. So don't get all ga-ga eyed over this. There's a better chance of Albert Haynesworth running his 40 yard dash than the Redskins signing Santonio Holmes. Holmes would be an excellent addition to a thinning receiving corp. Especially now that Devin Hester has suggested that the Chicago Bears sign Santana Moss.

Defensive end Cullen Jenkins, however, is a different story. The 30 year old Green Bay Packer recorded seven sacks last year. That's only two less than the 'Skins defense COMBINED last season (9). The Packers seem to be somewhat okay with parting ways with Jenkins. He would be a great addition and would certainly help free up the already dominant Brian Orakpo. The Redskins would have a lethal one-two punch coming off the edges. This also suggests that the Redskins coaching staff are looking for play makers up front, not just guys to sit there and take up space.

Nose Tackle Kris Jenkins (32 year old brother of Cullen Jenkins) has been plagued by injuries over the past two seasons. Jenkins missed 25 games over the span of two seasons and was released by the New York Jets. Jenkins is physical, tough, and nasty. If he stays healthy, he would be an excellent addition for the Redskins.

Offensive guard Marshall Yanda played right tackle for the Ravens last year to fill for the injured Jared Gaither. If the Redskins were to sign Yanda, he would most likely play Gard. If the team is unable to sign Yanda, Gaither could certainly be signed as well.

For those of you wondering, Mike Shanahan is dead serious about having John Beck as the starting quarterback in 2012. The team is also planning to try to retain wide receiver Santana Moss. As of right now, free agency appears to begin on July 28, two weeks from now, expect the Redskins to be talking to either of these free agents.

Caps Re-Sign Center

CSNWashington.com reported today that the Washington Capitals re-signed center Mathieu Perreault to a one year contract.

Perreualt spent much of last year in the AHL with the Hershey Bears. He was called up numerous times, however. While in the NHL the 23 year old center tallied 7 goals and 7 assists in 35 career games.

The Caps acquired Perreault via a sixth round draft pick in 2006. He has played three seasons and four postseasons with the Hershey Bears. Expect Mathieu Perreault to be a front runner for the lone opening in the Capitals forward lines this fall.

Hairston to Return July 18

The Washinton Nationals website reported today that Jerry Hairston Jr could return to the line-up as soon as July 18. Hairston has been on the DL since June 29 when he broke his wrist after being hit by a pitch. Hairston has been busy this weekend rehabing his wrist.

This past Saturday Hairston was fielding ground balls as well as throwing from shortstop. Sunday he was able to take dry swings. On Wednesday he plans to hit off of a tee and take full batting practice. This Thursday he plans to have a full workout and expect Hairston to play the first of three rehab games on Friday.

"Throwing the ball is not really an issue or problem," Hairston said. "Swinging a bat, being in the fire and trying to swing it 100 mph, that's going to be the biggest test. I'll know more after I play in a couple games."


Quote from MLB.com

Kimball Needs Surgery

NatsInsider.com reported today that Washington Nationals rookie reliever Cole Kimball will need surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff.

Due to inflammation in his throwing shoulder Kimball has been on the disabled list since June 10. This past week Kimball attempted to throw but the pain was still there. The Nationals sent the reliever to New York for an MRI with specialist David Altchek. The scan revealed the torn rotator cuff and surgery is scheduled for next week.

Kimball was a quality 12th round pick in 2006 for the Nationals. In 12 appearances for the club he was 1-0 with an ERA of 1.93 and striking out 11 batters in 14 innings.

Caps Need Cap Space

CSNWashington reported today the Washington Capitals have traded right wing Eric Fehr to the Winnepeg Jets. In return the Capitals acquire a fourth round pick in 2012 and minor leaguer Danick Paquette.

The franchise came into today $1.8 million above the salary cap. This move freed up $2.2 million in cap room.

This is just another move in which the Capitals have unloaded big name players from their roster. Just last month the team parted ways with Semyon Varlamov, Boyd Gordon, and also Jason Arnott. They have acquired the likes of Troy Brouwer and Joel Ward as well as a number of upcoming draft picks.

Pudge to DL, Flores to Majors

A team source for the Washington Nationals confirmed today that catcher Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez has been placed on the 15 day disabled list due to an injury to his oblique muscle. Rodriguez suffered the injury yesterday during batting practice and was scratched from last nights line-up because of it. The Nationals have since called up Jesus Flores from Class AAA Syracuse to fill in.

Rodriguez has been solid for the Nats hitting .214 with 2 home runs, 19 RBI, and 7 doubles as backup to rookie catcher Wilson Ramos. The 39 year old catcher is 158 hits short of 3,000 for his career.

In 56 games for Class AAA Syracuse Jesus Flores was hitting .234. He has totaled 5 home runs with 30 RBI and an on base percentage of .252. Much of the last two seasons was lost due to a major shoulder injury but Flores is back at 100 percent.

The move to the DL for Rodriguez is retroactive as of his last game played in. Expect him to be back in the line-up around July 22.

Tonight the Nationals begin a 3 game series with the Colorado Rockies. The Nats just came off a successful series with the Cubs by taking 3 of 4 games. The Nats look to continue their success tonight behind the arm of John Lannan.