The Watch List: Local sports stories to keep an eye on in the coming week
MLB Winter Meetings
With starting pitcher Lance Lynn out for 2016 after Tommy John surgery, post-season ace John Lackey plucked off the free agent market by hated divisional rival, and 26-year-old outfielder Jason Heyward rated the top free agent on the open market, it's almost inconceivable that the St. Louis Cardinals won't move aggressively at this 114th annual Winter Meeting this week. The Cardinals' John Mozaliak and other big league general managers will convene starting Monday in Nashville, Tenn. Several of the Cardinals' off-season free targets have already been signed, namely pitchers David Price (Boston), Jordan Zimmerman (Detroit) and Jeff Samardzija (San Francisco). Right fielder Jason Heyward remains their No. 1 priority, but first base also could be on their radar. With salaries sky-rocketing once again, could Mozaliak and the Cardinals be more interested in finding trade partners?
NFL’s LA plans taking shape
St. Louis Rams' owner Stan Kroenke made his move against growing momentum toward a Raiders-Chargers partnership for a new football stadium in Carson, Calif. by invited either one of those teams to share the playing field at his proposed football palace in Ingelwood. For now, that proposal has been rebuked, as the owners in Oakland and San Diego have restated their commitment to their plans. Kroenke also has finally made contact with David Peacock and others on a task force to build a new NFL stadium on St. Louis' north riverfront, a meeting encouraged by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. In the meantime, the Peacock proposal continues to gain momentum, as St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay reports a majority of alderman are on board with the city's portion of stadium construction defense and a new Missouri budget proposal includes the state's share. Final relocation pitches will be made to NFL owners Jan. 4. Goodell has set a vote deadline of Jan. 13.
Cougars v. Salukis
The two SIUs meet on the court at the Carbondale campus for the eighth time Wednesday at 7 p.m. The Cougars of Edwardsville are still looking for their first win in the intra-system rivalry. The two programs are headed in opposite directions. Since its impressive season-opening win against Arkansas State, SIUE has dropped seven games in a row. First-year head coach Jon Harris will point to the Cougars' strong non-conference schedule, which includes losses to Butler, Green Bay, Milwaukee, St. Louis and Northwestern. The Salukis, meanwhile, are 8-1 overall and 5-0 at SIU Arena. Their only loss of the season was against Texas El-Paso. They are led by senior guard Anthony Beane, a second-team All-Missouri Valley Conference pick last season, who averages 20.7 points per game.
Rivalries renewed
The ultra-competitive Southwestern Conference features several early-but-big games this week. In boys action, Edwardsville will be at Belleville East, West will be at Granite City, O'Fallon will travel to Alton and East St. Louis will be at Collinsville. And that's just on Tuesday. Rivalry week continues Friday when East goes to East Side, West goes to Edwardsville and O'Fallon heads to Collinsville. The girls will get in on the fun, too. On Tuesday, East plays at Edwardsville, Alton is at O'Fallon, Collinsville is at East St. Louis and Granite City is at West. Thursday, East St. Louis will be at Belleville East, Edwardsville will be at West, and Alton goes to Granite City.
This story was originally published December 6, 2015 at 10:06 AM with the headline "The Watch List: Local sports stories to keep an eye on in the coming week."