Yankees land ace Gerrit Cole on record 9-year, $324M deal
SAN DIEGO — The New York Yankees landed the biggest prize of the free agent market, adding Gerrit Cole to their rotation with a record $324 million, nine-year contract on Tuesday night, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because...
Reports: Stephen Strasburg, Nationals reach record $245M, 7-year dealVideo
SAN DIEGO — World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg is staying with the Washington Nationals. The right-hander agreed to a record $245 million, seven-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told the Associated Press on Monday. Strasburg’s deal is the highest for a pitcher in total dollars and average annual...
Marvin Miller, Ted Simmons elected to Baseball Hall of FameVideo
SAN DIEGO — Marvin Miller, the union leader who revolutionized baseball by empowering players to negotiate multimillion-dollar contracts and to play for teams of their own choosing, was elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame on Sunday along with former St. Louis Cardinals catcher Ted Simmons. After falling short in his...
First Call: Antonio Brown begs for Patriots reunion; Yankees green light huge cash for Gerrit Cole
Friday’s “First Call” gives us Phil Kessel’s unique headgear, Antonio Brown’s plea for a job, Gerrit Cole’s huge contract on the horizon and a Pitt player emerges from nowhere in the NFL. Take me back! Please! Antonio Brown’s online flirtation with the New England Patriots continues. The outcast wide receiver...
Zack Wheeler, Phillies agree to $118M, 5-year deal
PHILADELPHIA — Right-hander Zack Wheeler and the Philadelphia Phillies agreed to a $118 million, five-year contract, two people familiar with the deal told the Associated Press on Wednesday. Both people spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement, which is subject to a physical, had not been announced. The 29-year-old...
Cole Hamels, Braves agree $18 million, 1-year deal
ATLANTA — Left-hander Cole Hamels agreed to an $18 million, one-year contract with the Atlanta Braves, one of the more active teams of the offseason. The 35-year-old gives the Braves a veteran to replace Julio Teheran, who became a free agent after his $12 million team option was declined. Hamels...
Gov. Tom Wolf warns of harm from changes to minor league baseball
HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf wants Major League Baseball to rethink a restructuring plan that would affect three minor league teams in his state. Wolf on Monday wrote to baseball commissioner Robert Manfred to express concern about the impact on the Erie SeaWolves, the Williamsport Crosscutters and the State...
Pirates affiliate 1 of 42 minor league teams in danger of being dropped
WASHINGTON — Nearly one-quarter of the members of the U.S. House of Representatives asked MLB to reconsider its proposal for a restructuring of the minor leagues after the 2020 season that would lead to 42 teams — including those in Erie, Williamsport, State College as well as the Pittsburgh Pirates’...
MLB commissioner says penalties could be severe if Astros guilty of sign stealing
ARLINGTON, Texas — Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred hopes the investigation into sign stealing by the Houston Astros will be complete by next season and said he has authority to impose discipline beyond the loss of amateur draft picks. Oakland pitcher Mike Fiers said when he was with Houston in 2017,...
Members of Congress write to MLB commissioner over ‘radical’ plan to eliminate minor league teams
Saving minor league baseball might be one of the few things that Democrats and Republicans can agree upon these days. On Tuesday, over 100 members of the House of Representatives signed a letter expressing their “firm opposition” to MLB’s “radical” restructuring of the minor leagues. The proposal includes the elimination...
Derek Jeter among 18 newcomers on Baseball Hall of Fame ballot
NEW YORK — Derek Jeter is among 18 newcomers on the 2020 Hall of Fame ballot. He is likely to be an overwhelming choice to join former New York Yankees teammate Mariano Rivera in Cooperstown after the reliever last year became the first unanimous pick by the Baseball Writers’ Association...
Angels’ Trout, Dodgers’ Bellinger win MVP Awards
NEW YORK — Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout has overcome injury and tragedy to win his third AL MVP award. Trout got 17 of 30 first-place votes in balloting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America revealed Thursday night. Alex Bregman of the Houston Astros was second with the...
Astros’ Justin Verlander, Mets’ Jacob deGrom get 2nd Cy Young Awards
NEW YORK — Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander was awarded his second AL Cy Young Award on Wednesday. Verlander beat out teammate Gerrit Cole in balloting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Verlander got 17 first-place votes compared to 13 for Cole, who became a free agent after the...
After Nationals, Astros reach World Series, will GMs try to stockpile starting pitching?
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Washington went against baseball’s trend toward bulked-up bullpens, dedicating 39% of its payroll to three starting pitchers: Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin. The trio triumphed, lifting the Nationals to the first World Series title in the team’s 51-season history. Houston came within one win of...
Mike Shildt, Rocco Baldelli win Manager of Year in 1st full seasons
NEW YORK — Mike Shildt of the St. Louis Cardinals edged out Craig Counsell of the Milwaukee Brewers to win NL Manager of the Year. Shildt earned the award in his first full season on the job. Counsell received more first-place votes in balloting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of...
MLB union launches collusion investigation after ‘egregious’ comments
NEW YORK — Two days into the free agent market, the players’ association already is angry at a club. Union head Tony Clark issued a statement Wednesday in response to remarks attributed to Atlanta Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos during a conference call with media. “Every day you get more...
Mets hire Carlos Beltran as managerVideo
NEW YORK — Carlos Beltran, two years removed from his playing career and with no managerial experience, was picked by the New York Mets to replace Mickey Callaway. The Mets announced the move Friday. A nine-time All-Star during 20 major league seasons, Beltran played for the Mets from 2005-11. He...
Astros ‘a group of heartbroken men’ after loss in World SeriesVideo
HOUSTON — It was well within their grasp. The Houston Astros had a shot at a mini dynasty with a second title in three seasons. Instead, they failed to get one win in two chances at home against the Washington Nationals and have an offseason as runner-ups to ponder what...
Nationals, GM Mike Rizzo earn ‘I told you so’ World Series titleVideo
WASHINGTON — In some ways, this World Series championship served as an “I told you so” for the Washington Nationals and their general manager, Mike Rizzo. For the choices to hire, then stick by, manager Dave Martinez, especially in the face of a 19-31 record, the worst 50-game start to...
Rebuilding Royals hire Mike Matheny as managerVideo
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals hired Mike Matheny on Thursday, bringing in a manager who took the cross-state Cardinals to the World Series six years ago before a three-season swoon cost him his job. The 49-year-old Matheny went 591-474 with the Cardinals from 2012-18 and was the...
First Call: Oilers’ James Neal is hot, Colts hurting, plenty of Bryce Harper mockery
Thursday’s “First Call” features another goal for James Neal, news from Indianapolis’ training room, Baker Mayfield avoids a fine, and Bryce Harper mockery. New Look Neal James Neal is heating up again. And just in time for his return to Pittsburgh. The high-scoring winger will join the rest of his...
Nationals top Astros in Game 7 to win 1st World Series titleVideo
HOUSTON — Almost out of contention in May, champs in October. Howie Kendrick, Anthony Rendon and the Washington Nationals completed their amazing comeback journey — fittingly with one last late rally on the road. In Game 7 of the World Series, no less. Kendrick and Rendon homered in the seventh...
Road warrior Nationals beat Astros in Game 7 for 1st World Series titleVideo
HOUSTON — Almost out of contention in May. Champs in October. Howie Kendrick, Anthony Rendon and the Washington Nationals completed their amazing comeback journey — fittingly with one final, late rally on the road. In Game 7 of the World Series, no less. Kendrick and Rendon homered in the seventh...
Astros manager AJ Hinch: Players should have fun, but respect gameVideo
HOUSTON — Houston Astros manager AJ Hinch is all for letting the young kids play — and play loud. He also wants them to respect the game. Alex Bregman, the Astros third baseman who is one of the young stars MLB has highlighted in its ad campaigns trying to reach...
First Call: Hilarious first pitch, Bengals’ Andy Dalton benched, Arena Football League may foldVideo
In Wednesday’s “First Call” we look at some strange home run celebrations. The Arena Football League may be in trouble. And one of the worst first pitches you’ll ever see. "Ohh"lajuwon Justin Verlander had a few bad pitches in Houston Tuesday night, as the Astros lost Game 6 of the...
