Niemi's Salary Raised In Arbitration

By Justin Worsley

After being one of last year's postseason heroes for the Stanley Cup Champions Chicago Blackhawks, it seemed that re-signing goaltender Antti Niemi was a no-brainer. The two sides, however, couldn't come to an agreement as to how much the 26-year-old should earn next season and turned to an arbitrator to set the price.

The Blackhawks came into the arbitration wanting to pay the Finnish-born player $1.5 million, an increase over the $826,875 he made last season as a rookie. Niemi's camp, however, wanted $4 million. The arbitrator ruled on Saturday that Niemi's salary would be set at $2.75 million next year.

Chicago now has three options. They could, of course, sign Niemi and either keep him at that salary or even trade him. The team could also decide not to sign him, making Niemi an unrestricted free agent.

Niemi played in all but one period in the postseason, helping lead Chicago to their first Stanley Cup title since 1961 while also becoming the first Finnish goalie to win the cup as well. Niemi went 16-6 with a 2.63 goals against average and a .910 save percentage.

During the regular season, Niemi went 26-7 with seven shutouts and a 2.25 goals against average. Niemi also posted a .912 save percentage during the regular season..

First-Overall Pick Bradford Signs Record Deal

By Justin Worsley

The St. Louis Rams were expected to make a record-breaking signing and they did. After drafting Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford with the first-overall pick in last April's draft, the Rams have signed the potential franchise savior to a six-year, $78 million deal with a record $50 million guaranteed.

The Bradford has become the third player selected in the first five picks of the draft to sign. Fourth and fifth overall picks Trent Williams and Eric Berry have signed with the Redskins and Chiefs earlier in the week.

The Rams are hoping Bradford will help turn around a franchise that has gone a dismal 6-42 in the last three seasons. Much of the problems in St. Louis were due to former starting quarterback Marc Bulger being unable to stay healthy during the season.

Bradford missed almost all of his final season at Oklahoma after suffering two injuries in his throwing shoulder. The 2008 Heisman Trophy winner only played in three games.

After signing A.J. Feeley in the offseason, Bradford will most likely see limited playing time as a rookie as the Rams groom him into their system. In his Heisman Trophy winning season, Bradford passed for 4,721 yards with 50 touchdowns and only eight interceptions.

Houston, Philadelphia Swap Pitchers

By Justin Worsley

The Roy Oswalt sweepstakes is finally over with Philadelphia, as expected winning the prize.

Right-handed pitcher Oswalt has agreed to waive his no-trade clause in order to complete a trade between the Houston Astros and Philadelphia. In return for Oswalt, Houston will receive left-handed pitcher J.A. Happ and two prospects, outfielder Anthony Gose and shortstop Jonathan Villar.

Oswalt is currently 6-12, but has a relatively low ERA of 3.41. His last start in an Astros uniform was less than memorable, throwing five innings and giving up six earned runs during a 7-0 loss to the Cincinnati Reds.

Fresh off of an injury, Happ made his first start since April last Sunday. Happ is currently 2-0 with a 1.76 ERA. The 27-year-old has only consistently started in Philadelphia once, in 2009, where he went 12-4 with a 2.93 ERA in 23 starts.

Houston will also send $11 million to help cover part of the salary still owed to Oswalt this season.

Oswalt was named to three consecutive All-Star selections between 2005-07. In his career, the 32-year-old has gone 143-82 with a 3.24 ERA and 1,593 strikeouts. Last season, however, was the only season of his career where he did not win at least 10 games, going 8-6.

Masoli To Enroll At Ole Miss

By Justin Worsley

Several sources have told ESPN.com that troubled quarterback Jeremiah Masoli will enroll at Ole Miss, helping make way for his comeback into college football.

Masoli was considered a contender for the Heisman Trophy this season until his former school, Oregon, suspended him for the 2010 season in March after the 21-year-old pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor burglary charge. After being arrested being arrested for possession of marijuana and several driving infractions, the Ducks kicked Masoli off of the team.

Masoli will enroll in a graduate program at Ole Miss. Since Oregon does not have a graduate program, the NCAA will not force Masoli to sit out for a year. Masoli currently has two year of eligibility.

Masoli enrolled in Oregon in 2008 after transferring from the City College of San Francisco. Last season, Masoli completed 177 of 305 passes for 2,147 yards with 15 touchdowns and six interceptions. The 5-foot-11 214 athlete was also sacked only 10 times.

Ole Miss is currently looking for a replacement for departed quarterback Jevan Snead. Currently, sophomore Nathan Stanley was expected to start.

Phillies Place Victorino On DL

By Justin Worsley

After leaving Tuesday night's game with an oblique injury, the Philadelphia Phillies have placed center fielder Shane Victorino on the 15-day disabled list.

Replacing Victorino will be 22-year-old Dominic Brown, who the Phillies called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Brown is the top-rated prospect for the Phillies according to ESPN.com.

Victorino suffered an abdominal strain during Tuesday's 9-5 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks while sliding back into first base during a pickoff attempt. He continued to play in the game, however, left after making a catch.

Brown made his first career start against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday night. Jayson Werth moved over from right field to play center while Brown started in right field in the Phillies 7-1 victory. Brown went 2-3 with a double and two RBIs while batting in the sixth-spot.

If Brown continues to play well, it could help springboard the Phillies into trading away Werth, who will be a free agent next season. Philadelphia is currently looking for help in the pitching rotation, eying Houston's Roy Oswalt specifically.

Victorino, 30, is only batting .250, his lowest in his career since his rookie season, however, he is sixth in the NL with 20 stolen bases and has hit a career-high 15 home runs along with 15 doubles and eight triples.

Brown is currently batting .327 with 20 home runs and 68 RBIs in 93 games with Lehigh Valley.

Rangers Sign Frolov To One-Year Deal

By Justin Worsley

They New York Rangers have added a much-needed offensive weapon this offseason on Tuesday when they signed forward Alexander Frolov to a one-year, $3 million deal according to the Associated Press.

Frolov, 28, has spent his entire seven-year career with the Los Angeles Kings where he scored 20 or more goals five times. During the 2004-05 lockout season, Frolov went to his homeland Russia to play in the RSL.

Frolov will most likely play on the top line, adding a much needed punch and helping take the load of the offense off of teammate Marian Gaborik's shoulders.

Last season, however, was a less than memorable one fro Frolov, who score only 19 goals and 32 assists. His 51 points were the lowest in his career since the 2004 season. With a one-year contract, Frolov has an opportunity to bounce back and earn a top-dollar contract next year.

Frolov's best season came in the 2006-07 season, where he had 35 goals and 36 assists. It was the only season where he played in all 82 games.

Los Angeles was not very successful with Frolov, however, only making one playoff appearance. Last season, Los Angeles lost to the Vancouver Canucks in six games of the opening-round of the playoffs. Frolov scored four points overall, with one goal and one assist.

New York barely missed the playoffs last season after falling to eventual Stanley Cup finalists Philadelphia in the last game of the season. The winner of the game dictated which of the two would be in the playoffs.

T.O. Lands In Cincy

By Justin Worsley

After dealing with months of what has to be the most awkward moment of his career, wide receiver Terrell Owens has finally found a new job. The Cincinnati Bengals have signed the loud-mouthed player to a one-year $2 million deal.

Owens, who played in Buffalo last season, blamed the media for the reason he was not signed, citing ESPN and several other outlets for putting his image in a bad light.

"Ocho Uno is coming 2 town!!" Owens said on his Twitter account.

Owens, 36, will join another star receiver in Cincinnati, three-time All-Pro Chad Ochocinco. Ochocinco courted the Bengals to sign Owens.

"Is anybody else up right now? i am so stoked to go to camp, now when i pick fights with the defense i have help," Ochocinco said on his Twitter account.

There is no doubt Owens is a great receiver, however, his attitude has been seen as a cancer by many teams and Owens has wore out his welcome in several cities. The Philadelphia Eagles released Owens after two years of a seven-year deal due to Owens gripe that he was not being paid enough (the deal was for $49 million, however, it had few guaranteed money and he was only making $660 thousand on base salary.)

Owens, a five-time All-Pro selection, has 1,006 receptions for 14,951 receiving yards and 144 touchdowns in his career. Of those three statistics, the only one Owens does not lead active players in is receiving touchdowns, as New England's Randy Moss has 148.

The addition of Owens will help give quarterback Carson Palmer another weapon. Palmer struggled late last season and was extremely inaccurate in a playoff loss to the New York Jets, much due to his top target, Ochocinco, being unable to break free from cornerback Darrelle Revis.

Cincinnati has done everything it can this offseason to give more targets for Palmer. Along with Owens, the organization has also brought in Antonio Bryant and Matt Jones as well as drafting tight end Jermaine Gresham and wide receiver Jordan Shipley.