ESPN’s Len Pasquarelli is reporting that the Browns and Seahawks have had casual trade conversations about Cleveland receiver Andre Davis. Davis, entering the final year of his rookie contract, is likely slotted as the team’s fourth receiver, behind rookie Braylon Edwards, Antonio Bryant and Dennis Northcutt. The Seahawks need a home run threat after releasing Koren Robinson, so the deal would make sense for both teams on some levels. Still, listening to the words of Trent Dilfer makes you wonder if trading Davis would really be a good idea for the Browns:

“(Davis) can play. Apparently, a lot of people felt like he was just a track-type guy who wasn’t a legitimate (football) player. I’m telling you, he can be a big-time receiver.”

In the same column, Pasquarelli updates Tim Couch’s situation, saying the former #1 pick is still rehabbing from shoulder and elbow surgery in February and that Couch may fit into some team’s plans as a veteran backup. I know I’m in the minority here but I’d like to see Couch get another shot. He’ll never be a star but, as Pasquarelli points out, he’s still only 27, which gives him enough time to turn his career around.

Major League Baseball announced Friday that Indians reliever Rafael Betancourt, currently on the DL with shoulder inflammation, has been suspended for 10 days for violating Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. A 10-day suspension means Betancourt tested positive for steroids, which, by my count, makes Betancourt the third big leaguer to be suspended for steroids this year, after outfielder Alex Sanchez and reliever Juan Rincon. The suspension, as stated in the MLB press release, is effective immediately, which makes no sense considering Betancourt is not even eligible to come off the DL for another week. With the way rookie Fernando Cabrera has pitched since being called up, the Indians are in no rush to get Betancourt back.

Kevin Millwood gave up a couple of homers, the offense checked out and the Tribe lost 7-2. Ugly. The only bright spot was Jhonny Peralta’s line: 2-4 with his 10th homer, pushing his average up over .300 for the first time all year. This kid’s the real deal offensively and, as the Alex Cora trade yesterday proves, the Indians feel the same way about their young shortstop. Unfortunately, Peralta’s night wasn’t enough to overcome the Yankees. This is a series the Indians have to at least split, with the Yanks sitting one game behind the Tribe in the wild card standings. Cliff Lee goes for the Indians tonight, Elarton’s slotted for Saturday and Westbrook closes out the first half Sunday against Randy Johnson. With the Unit scheduled to pitch the final game of the series, you’d love to see the Indians win tonight and tomorrow to ensure a series split, no matter what happens Sunday.

Looks like all the doom and gloom I was spouting yesterday following Michael Redd’s decision to re-sign with the Bucks was a little premature because the Cavaliers have pulled off what some would consider a minor upset by signing Washington guard Larry Hughes to a contract. ESPN’s Chad Ford reports the deal will be worth $65-$70 million over five years.

This is awesome news. As noted earlier, Hughes is not nearly as lethal from three-point land as Redd and Ray Allen are but he’s a much more complete player, topping Redd and Allen in rebounds (6.3) and assists (4.7) per game, he’s one of the best defensive guards in the league, leading the NBA in steals last year with 2.89 per contest, and he still managed to score 22 points a night. So while he doesn’t fill the need for a long-range bomber, Hughes may still prove to be a better fit for the Cavaliers than either Redd or Allen would’ve been. True, there are some durability issues here and some wonder if Hughes is as good as last year’s numbers suggest, but he’s 26 and while he’s never been the most consistent guy out there, this is the kind of explosive young player you want on your roster. Plus, he’s a fantastic ballhandler, which means he’ll likely log some substantial minutes as the back-up point guard.

Up next, apparently, is inking Z and also trying to land Lithuanian point guard Sarunas Jasikevicius, widely regarded as the best international player not playing in the NBA. Stay tuned.