Free agent Josh Harrison, Phillies reach 1-year deal
PHILADELPHIA — Free agent infielder Josh Harrison and the Philadelphia Phillies reached agreement on a one-year deal, his MSM Sports agency announced Sunday. The 35-year-old former Pittsburgh Pirates stalwart batted .272 with seven home runs and 27 RBIs in 119 games for the Chicago White Sox last season. He played...
Mark Madden: Scott Rolen’s Hall of Fame inclusion is laughable
The Baseball Hall of Fame drifted further toward insignificance when third baseman Scott Rolen somehow made the grade. Rolen is a ham-and-egger. Mid, no better. Rolen hit .281 lifetime with 316 home runs and 1,287 RBIs. Former Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Dave Parker has better statistics in every category but isn’t...
Adrián Beltré, Joe Mauer eligible for Baseball Hall of Fame next year
Scott Rolen is headed to the Hall of Fame. Next year, make way for another star third baseman. Adrián Beltré highlights the first-time eligibles for 2024. While Rolen’s election Tuesday capped an impressive six-year rise in his vote total, Beltré has a good chance to go in on the first...
Kevin Gorman: Explaining a ballot that gave a vote to Scott Rolen but not Carlos Beltran
When I became eligible to vote for the National Baseball Hall of Fame for the first time two years ago, I made the decision to select the best players on the ballot. It came with a caveat: Cheaters won’t get a check mark in their first year of eligibility. That...
Guardians manager Terry Francona’s scooter stolen in ClevelandVideo
CLEVELAND — Guardians manager Terry Francona’s beloved ride has been stolen. The scooter that Francona rides from his downtown Cleveland apartment to Progressive Field on game days was swiped over the weekend. Francona’s scooter was parked outside his residence. A team spokesman said police were notified of the theft, which...
Scott Rolen elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame
NEW YORK — Slick-fielding third baseman Scott Rolen was elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame on Tuesday with five votes to spare above the 75% needed. The seven-time All-Star and eight-time Gold Glove winner appeared on 297 of 389 ballots cast by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America for 76.3%....
Patrick Mahomes aims to lead Chiefs to 5th straight AFC title gameVideo
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Ask any coach or player around the NFL, and they are bound to tell you that the speed of the game picks up when the playoffs arrive. There is no longer time to think on the field; decisions more often are made by in-the-moment instincts rather...
Los Angeles Dodgers release Trevor Bauer after suspension cut
NEW YORK — Trevor Bauer was released Thursday by the Los Angeles Dodgers after the pitcher’s unprecedented 324-game suspension over sexual misconduct allegations was reduced by an arbitrator. Los Angeles designated Bauer for assignment on Jan. 6, the last day to restore him to the roster, after arbitrator Martin Scheinman...
AP source: Carlos Correa reaches $200M, 6-year deal with Twins
Carlos Correa reversed course for a second time, agreeing Tuesday to a $200 million, six-year contract that keeps him with the Minnesota Twins after failing to complete deals with the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The deal for...
AP source: Marlins, Cueto agree to 1-year deal with option
MIAMI — The Miami Marlins and right-hander Johnny Cueto have agreed on a deal that guarantees him $8.5 million for 2023, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press on Tuesday. That includes a $2.5 million buyout if the Marlins do not exercise a club option for...
Dodgers cut pitcher Trevor Bauer after suspension reducedVideo
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers are cutting ties with pitcher Trevor Bauer, whose unprecedented 324-game suspension over sexual misconduct allegations was reduced two weeks ago, allowing him to resume his career with the start of the new season. A person familiar with the situation said Friday the 31-year-old...
Reports: Red Sox, Rafael Devers agree to 11-year, $331M extensionVideo
BOSTON — Rafael Devers agreed to an 11-year extension worth $331 million with the Boston Red Sox, a person with knowledge of the agreement told the Associated Press on Wednesday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team has not announced the deal. Locking up Devers, a two-time...
Aaron Judge named AP male athlete of year after setting HR mark
NEW YORK — Aaron Judge has always stood out. With the imposing size and muscular frame of an NFL tight end or NBA power forward, the 6-foot-7, 282-pound New York Yankees slugger towers over teammates and opponents on the diamond. Never more so than in 2022. After hitting 62 home...
Royals announce $17M deal with former Pirates pitcher Jordan LylesVideo
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals were specific in their shopping list for a starting pitcher: They wanted someone capable of throwing a lot of innings, which would take some of the strain off the rest of their young and promising staff. They decided that right-hander Jordan Lyles,...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans are right to be mad at Marcus Allen, and they’re letting him hear it — Mike Tomlin, Pirates too
So “U mad, bro?” is a day late. And you are mad about that. The Steelers are 6-8, and you are mad about that. Marcus Allen is drawing penalties for wandering into the other team’s huddle and you are all really mad about that. I mean, you should see all...
Explainer: Why are baseball teams spending so much money?Video
Aaron Judge, Carlos Correa and Trea Turner combined for almost $1 billion in contracts. Xander Bogaerts, Jacob deGrom, Dansby Swanson, Carlos Rodón, Brandon Nimmo and Willson Contreras added up to another billion. And that’s just nine players. Just one lucrative slice of baseball’s December spending spree. What a difference a...
Mets swoop in, snatch Carlos Correa for $315M, 12-year dealVideo
In a wild twist overnight, Carlos Correa agreed to a $315 million, 12-year contract with the free-spending New York Mets after his pending deal with the San Francisco Giants came apart over an issue with his physical. The agreement with the Mets was confirmed to the Associated Press by a...
Tom Browning, who pitched perfect game for Reds, dies at 62
CINCINNATI — Tom Browning, an All-Star pitcher who threw the only perfect game in Cincinnati Reds history and helped them win a World Series title, died on Monday. He was 62. The Boone County Sheriff’s Office in Kentucky announced Browning’s death on Twitter, saying he died at his home in...
Cubs, right-hander Taillon finalize 4-year contract
CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs and right-hander Jameson Taillon have finalized a four-year contract worth roughly $68 million. The announcement on Monday comes nearly two weeks after the sides agreed to the deal. The Cubs also have added All-Star shortstop Dansby Swanson and 2019 NL MVP Cody Bellinger this offseason....
Aaron Judge’s 62nd home run ball sells for $1.5 million at auction
RUNNEMEDE, N.J. — The ball New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge hit for his American League-record 62nd home run has sold for $1.5 million at auction. The price is the second highest paid for a baseball auction, according to Goldin Executive Chairman and Founder Ken Goldin. He identified the buyer...
After successful run in Japan, Plum native Scott McGough making return to MLB
Scott McGough is coming home. The 33-year-old Plum native who got his start in professional baseball in 2015 after being drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers will return to Major League Baseball for the 2023 season. McGough, a reliever who helped the Yakult Swallows of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball League...
Report: Yankees, Carlos Rodón agree to $162 million, 6-year dealVideo
NEW YORK — The New York Yankees added Carlos Rodón to their rotation on Thursday, agreeing to a $162 million, six-year contract with the left-hander, a person familiar with the negotiations said. The person confirmed the contract to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because it was pending a...
Red Sox sign Japanese batting champ Masataka YoshidaVideo
BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox have signed outfielder Masataka Yoshida, who won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics and twice led Japan’s Pacific League in batting, to a five-year deal that will pay him $90 million. Yoshida, 29, helped Orix to a victory in the Japan Series in...
AP source: Carlos Correa, Giants reach $350M, 13-year deal
Star shortstop Carlos Correa and the San Francisco Giants have agreed to a $350 million, 13-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday night because the agreement was subject to a successful physical. Correa also was a free...
Former Phillies ace, Whiz Kid Curt Simmons dead at 93
PHILADELPHIA — Curt Simmons, the last surviving member of the 1950 Philadelphia Phillies Whiz Kids team, has died. He was 93. His death Tuesday at his Ambler, Pa., home was confirmed by the Phillies, who did not specify a cause. One of the greatest pitchers in franchise history, the lefty...
